When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 244

The masked man didn’t move an inch. Several people rushed forward to pin Nelly down. This time, he let them do it. His voice was calm, almost detached. “Put her somewhere secure. I’ll decide what to do with her later.”

“Yes, sir,” the people on either side of her answered.

Nelly barely heard them. All she could see was Brody lying there in a pool of blood. His breathing was so shallow, he almost looked dead. The quiet around him was suffocating.

“...Help him.”

The words barely left her lips, her voice too dry and weak to carry any strength. She didn’t even know if anyone heard her.

The masked man didn’t respond, but before they dragged her away, she caught a glimpse of him kneeling down and checking Brody’s wounds like he’d done it a hundred times before.

They locked Nelly in a dim lounge, not much different from the storage room where she’d been trapped when she first got here.

Her mind kept replaying what had happened to Brody. The gunshot. The blood spreading across the floor. Nausea twisted in her stomach and she thought she might throw up.

Everything was a mess in her head. Her last bits of strength and resolve were slipping away.

She just couldn’t make sense of it. Brody had always acted like he couldn’t stand her... So why had he risked his life for her? What was he thinking?

*

Somewhere else, at that moment...

Footsteps echoed outside Jude’s door. He rushed to open it and was met by a group of men in black pouring into the room.

He started to speak, but stopped when he saw the mask—one he recognized instantly.

There was a small gold fox-eye symbol right in the center of it.

“You... you’re...”

The man took off the mask. Underneath was a cold, striking face. His features were sharp, his eyes dark, but there was no warmth there.

It was clear his bosses must have already known he was coming. After all, he’d brought his own men to the casino for the rescue.

The bosses had probably been there in person.

When the call connected, Jude didn’t even have to explain. The boss’s voice was calm. “If he’s there, do whatever he says.”

With that, Jude didn’t waste a second. He bowed even lower, trying to be as respectful as possible. “Please wait just a moment, Sir. I’ll arrange for her release right away.”

“There’s no rush,” the man said softly. “It’s not the right time yet.”

Jude paused, then understood. There was more to the plan.

“Of course. The boss said to follow your lead. We’ll do exactly as you say.”

He nodded, hesitating for just a moment before adding, “Make sure that man survives. He can’t die here.”