Daniel sat in a corner, listening as Chantelle placed her order.
Dressed casually for once, he wore a pair of shades to avoid drawing her attention.
I didn't know she eats this much. He smirked. Never mind, I can afford to feed her.
Earlier, after leaving the office, he had planned to visit her at Western Hill Villa. But just as he approached the gate, he saw her driving away.
Without a second thought, he decided to follow her.
"Here is your order, miss."
The waiter, who wore a mask and gloves, returned with a tray holding the cake, coffee, and lemonade Chantelle had ordered.
As he placed the food on the table, Chantelle was busy texting Thea, asking where she was. She didn't notice the cold glint in his eyes or the dagger hidden beneath the tray.
A sudden shout made her look up. The waiter now held a dagger, aiming straight for her heart.
Chantelle instantly dove for cover.
The dagger grazed her cheek, and a strand of hair fell to the floor.
The assassin, disguised as a waiter, didn't stop. Every strike targeted her weak spots. His aggression reminded her of the assassin who had attacked the villa days ago.
Is he from Lone Wolf? she wondered.
He was overpowering her, and she was starting to lose strength.
"I'm here. Don't be afraid!"
Daniel threw aside his shades, rushed over, and placed himself in front of Chantelle.
"Why are you here?" Chantelle was startled to see him suddenly appear.
Daniel stayed focused, blocking the assassin's attacks.
After deflecting several strikes, he grunted, "Now isn't the time."
Chantelle stopped questioning him. She turned and pressed her back against Daniel's, fighting with him against the assassin.
Their coordination was flawless. After several exchanges, the assassin began to lose ground.
He stepped back to catch his breath, then suddenly lashed out. His kick landed directly on Daniel's wounded abdomen.
The wound tore open, and Daniel gasped in pain. He pushed Chantelle away and shouted, "Run! I'll hold him off!"
"I'm not leaving without you! I hate owing favors, especially when it could cost you your life!" Chantelle refused to let go and tried to pull him with her.
"You don't have to worry about me! If only one of us can make it out, I want it to be you!"
Daniel shoved her away again. His hand clutched his wound, but his strength was fading.
He owed her his life once, and now it was time to repay that debt.
"I told you, I don't like owing anyone, especially you!"
Chantelle's words were sharp, but deep down, she was touched that Daniel was risking his life for her. She gripped his arm so tightly and her knuckles turned white.
When she noticed his face growing pale from blood loss, she clenched her teeth and acted as if she was about to sit down.
"If you're not leaving, then I'm not leaving too. I'll die here with you if I have to!"
Daniel had no choice but to give in.
"Let's go then!" Daniel shouted, moving toward the door.
Before he ran out of strength, they managed to hide inside an empty building deeper in the alley. He shut the door, locked it, and slumped down in a corner with Chantelle.
"Are you okay? If you can't fight, don't act like a hero!" Chantelle's eyes flickered to the dark stain on his clothes.
She hated him, but seeing him risk his life for her made something stir inside her.
"As long as you're safe, I don't mind losing my life for you," Daniel murmured, leaning against her shoulder. His feverish body trembled from blood loss. "You better live a long life and have lots of children."
His voice was weak, but his eyes filled with warmth and guilt.
"Sh... Shut up, Daniel! I already sent a message to Calvin. Help will be here soon, and we'll be fine. You have to hold on, do you hear me? I told you, I don't want to owe you!" Chantelle's voice shook as she watched him grow weaker.
But Daniel kept losing strength. Even keeping his head on her shoulder seemed difficult.
"I'm sorry, Chantelle... It's all my fault... It's all..."
His eyes fluttered shut, and he kept mumbling the same words.
"Wake up, Daniel! Aren't you supposed to be powerful? If you die , I'll never stop laughing at you!"
Chantelle slapped Daniel's shoulder, trying desperately to wake him. Tears threatened to fall.
Calvin and Ashton finally arrived.
Their faces quickly turned pale at the sight of Daniel, unconscious and drained of color.
"His wound must have reopened! Get him to Dr. Collins now! Quickly!" Chantelle's voice was hoarse as she shouted at Ashton.
Even though she despised Daniel, she never wanted him to die.
She only wanted answers from him...
"Hang in there, sir! I'll get you to Dr. Collins now!"
Chantelle's urgent words snapped Ashton back to reality.
Realizing there was still hope, he quickly carried the unconscious Daniel to Silver Crest Global District.
After Ashton took Daniel away, Chantelle let out a sigh of relief.
But it wasn't over yet.
The assassin had tried to kill her more than once. Without Daniel protecting her, she would already be dead.
She couldn't stay passive any longer.
"Calvin, has Thirteen arrived yet?"
"Find a place to hide. I'll be the bait."
The assassin had already wounded Daniel badly. He wouldn't give up so easily.
This was the perfect chance for him to finish the job.
Chantelle wanted to draw him out.
"It's too dangerous, Ms. Bently. You should leave now and let Thirteen and me handle the assassin."
"The assassin is after me, so I have to stay. Besides, Daniel saved me twice. I want that man to pay for what he's done."
Chantelle had already made up her mind.
Calvin knew there was no point in arguing. There wasn't time for debate anyway. He quickly hid in the shadows.
Chantelle stepped out of the building and moved deeper into the alley.
The alleys were interconnected, and Chantelle walked into one with few people around.
As expected, it didn't take long for her to sense someone tailing her.