Chapter 148: A Tense Atmosphere
Inside Room 512!
As he sipped his beer, Axi suddenly froze. His sharp instincts detected a subtle shift in the atmosphere—an ominous tension.
Almost reflexively, he reached for the gun lying on the bed.
“Someone’s here?”
Axi furrowed his brows, quietly disengaging the safety of his weapon. His ruthless eyes locked onto the thin line of light filtering in through the crack beneath the door.
Something was obstructing it.
Though he couldn’t see clearly, his gut told him—it was a pair of feet. Someone was standing right outside his door.
Gripping his gun tightly, Axi slowly rose to his feet. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
Silently, he moved—carefully stepping onto the soft carpet, circling behind the bed.
Given his small stature, if things went south, the plush mattress would serve as his best cover.
Taking position, he raised his gun, its dark muzzle aimed directly at the door.
The moment it opened, he would shoot—no hesitation.
At the same time, Axi set down his beer can and retrieved a phone from his pocket.
He opened a contact labeled “Mom” in his WeChat.
This phone belonged to the child whose lifeless body was currently stuffed inside the black suitcase in the bathroom.
And “Mom”—was none other than Han Xue.
Axi needed to warn her. Or, perhaps, to call for help.
Trapped inside this hotel room, he was like a caged beast, a turtle in a jar. If someone was blocking his only exit, he had no escape.
Fight or surrender?
For Axi, there was no choice.
With his record of crimes, capture meant only one thing—death.
Perhaps, by fighting, he could carve out a slim chance of survival.
If not?
Then he would die trying.
Death was inevitable.
Rather than rot away in a prison cell, he’d rather go down swinging.
“Come quickly. Save me!”
Axi typed the four words and hit send.
Then, he tossed the phone aside.
Taking another swig of beer, he tilted the can—still half full.
He smirked coldly, steeling himself for battle.
Outside Room 512!
Song Lin was ready.
He tightened his grip on his gun, preparing for the worst.
At the Western Restaurant!
Han Xue was gazing into Tom’s eyes, exchanging flirtatious glances, when she heard the notification sound on her phone.
Smiling at Tom, she casually picked it up.
But as soon as she saw Axi’s message, her body trembled. Her face turned pale.
“We’ve been exposed?”
That was her first thought.
“Do I run or go back to save Axi?”
That was her second.
It was an impossible decision.
No matter what she chose, it was the wrong answer.
Going back for Axi could mean walking into a trap.
Ignoring him and fleeing? That would only put her on the police’s most-wanted list.
But maybe—just maybe—she still had a chance.
Tom had been watching Han Xue closely. The brief flicker of panic in her eyes did not escape him.
Something’s wrong.
Did the police make their move?
Tom narrowed his eyes.
With feigned concern, he asked, “My lady, are you feeling unwell?”
Han Xue lifted her gaze, her eyes now clouded with doubt.
“This man… His timing… It’s too perfect.”
“Was he sent to get close to me?”
A sharp suspicion took root in her heart.
Tom is not who he claims to be.
The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became.
Her gaze toward Tom turned dangerous. Slowly, she reached for her purse.
Tom noticed everything.
His instincts screamed danger, but his expression remained unchanged—a gentle smile, his eyes filled with apparent concern.
“My lady, what’s wrong?” he asked, his voice warm.
Inside her purse, Han Xue’s fingers curled around a small remote control.
After a brief pause, she spoke.
“Something happened at home. Our dinner ends here.”
She stood up abruptly, ready to leave.
She had thought it through.
Even though she was suspicious of Tom, she wouldn’t act against him—not yet.
Not in public.
Not when drawing attention could be dangerous.
As Tom watched her leave, he remained silent.
Only when she disappeared out of sight did he pull out his phone and send a message.
[Tom: Your Highness, Han Xue received a message and left in a hurry. She suspects me. I can’t stall her any longer. Should I use force?]
He waved at the waiter for the bill.
Inside Room 507!
Fang Xiaocao read Tom’s message, then glanced at the surveillance feed.
She saw Song Lin standing outside Room 512, preparing to make his move.
Taking a deep breath, she replied:
“No need. If she’s coming back now, she’s too late.”
“The moment gunfire erupts, the hotel will go into lockdown. They’ll evacuate civilians and seal all exits. She won’t be able to interfere.”
“In fact, she might just walk straight into our trap.”
After sending the message, she turned her focus back to the screen.
“Hurry up, Song Lin…”
She murmured under her breath.
[Tom: Understood!]
Seeing her response, Tom put his phone away and leisurely strolled down the street, heading in the direction of the hotel.
Hotel, 5th Floor Hallway!
Song Lin held up three fingers.
One by one, he lowered them.
The moment the last finger dropped, his team tensed, gripping their weapons.
All eyes locked onto the door of Room 512.
As the final countdown ended, Song Lin pressed the universal key card against the lock.
Beep. Beep.
Click!
The electronic lock disengaged.
Song Lin kicked the door open and stormed in.
“Police! Hands on your head! Don’t move!”
But before he could even finish—
Something flew straight at him.
Without hesitation, he raised his gun!
(End of Chapter 148)
