She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew) novel Chapter 414

After a pause, Zayn said slowly, "I accidentally hit my head, so I don't remember much from that time.

"I can't even recall what you look like or most of the details, Jackal. All I remember is that all the terrorists were there during the explosion, and I thought you were dead.

"If I had known you were still around, I would never have made that movie."

He was not making this up. This was part of why he left the military, but right now, he was buying time, stretching each second he could.

Jackal seemed taken aback for a moment before laughing. "I get it! So, God must have listened to my prayers and sent you right back to me! Now, open the door, walk in slowly, and close it behind you.

"And listen up, one more thing—if anyone tries to follow, I will kill them and start taking off some hostages' heads."

Without a word, Zayn moved forward, reaching out to push open the door.

On YouTube, someone translated his conversation with Jackal, and viewers started buzzing.

["Boundary Strike"? Where can we watch it? Anyone got a link? please drop it.]

Within minutes, searches and downloads for "Boundary Strike" spiked, with countless people eager to see the movie that led terrorists to launch such a shocking attack in Osceiton.

Even so, they did not stop watching the live stream—this standoff was drawing hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.

Meanwhile, as Zayn was about to step inside, Jackal's voice cut in again as he said, "Hold on!"

Zayn paused, looking up at the camera. Jackal's grin could almost be heard. "Tonight, you will die by my hand. So, I will let you have a last word before you go in."

Zayn looked straight into the camera and spoke in a steady voice, "I pledged my life to protect my country and my family. Dying in battle for both—it's the honor of my life."

His words were calm, but they struck deep. Every soldier around him saluted, and thousands of people watching on their screens stood and did the same.

The Donovan family watching this scene wept as they raised their hands in salute, and Athena, seated in her fighter jet, lifted her hand in a tearful salute. Zayn was her pride, her hero.

The female major general in the helicopter nodded and whispered, "Zayn, just like those who came before you, you are a real hero."

For a long beat, there was silence from the camera, and Zayn stood unwavering. Then, a mocking laugh crackled through.

"Oh, what a heroic speech. Are those really your last words? So funny! Just too funny!

"Since you are so eager to be remembered as a protagonist, I'll make sure to take my time with you tonight, dragging out every second of your suffering. That way, the world will remember you even better."

Zayn smiled faintly. "Well, thank you."