Chapter 098

"Actually, killing my family would already make me suffer. Letting me live with that pain is an even better punishment, isn’t it?"

Luo Wuyou gritted her teeth and spat out, "You! Talk! Too! Much!"

With that, she ordered the kidnappers who had brought Lin Ran: "Strip him and take him to the storage room upstairs."

The kidnappers nodded, and Lin Ran immediately panicked.

"Hey, hey, hey? We were having a decent conversation—why the sudden madness? I wasn’t even done yet."

As the kidnappers approached, Lin Ran had already prepared himself for a fight.

Even if he knew he might not be a match for them, he had to try.

But even if he managed to take down these mediocre kidnappers, what about Luo Wuyou?

This woman was clearly no pushover—he was probably doomed either way.

Luo Yao, Luo Yao… If you don’t show up soon, your husband’s done for.

"Boom!"

At that moment, the warehouse door was blasted open with tremendous force, sending dust flying everywhere. Luo Wuyou immediately grabbed Lin Ran, a cold glint flashing in her hand.

Lin Ran’s heart turned to ice. Luo Wuyou’s movements were eerily similar to Luo Yao’s—as if they were carved from the same mold, even down to the weapons they used.

As the dust settled, a row of headlights illuminated a group of people. At the center stood a striking woman in a black bodysuit, her hair tied into a neat bun, gripping a submachine gun with a gleaming dagger at her waist.

Luo Yao, poised and formidable, stood in the middle of the scene.

"Luo Wuyou, are you looking to die?"

Luo Yao had her limits. There were many things she could tolerate, but Lin Ran was her line in the sand—cross it, and you’d pay with your life.

Luo Wuyou’s eyes widened.

"Luo Yao? How did you find this place?"

The two kidnappers beside her were equally stunned. They had confirmed no one was tailing them, and this location was extremely remote, beyond the reach of traffic cameras. How had Luo Yao tracked them down?

Luo Wuyou held Lin Ran with one hand and a dagger with the other, signaling the kidnappers with her eyes—but inside, she was unnerved.

She knew Luo Yao well. Her niece wasn’t someone ordinary people could handle. Even she herself had no confidence in facing her.

The two kidnappers barely had time to react before two gunshots rang out—"Bang! Bang!"—both hitting their mark with deadly precision.

"Luo Yao, you dare kill people?" Luo Wuyou was shocked but quickly resigned herself to the truth.

What wouldn’t Luo Yao dare to do? She hadn’t even spared her own family.

Luo Yao holstered her gun. "What era do you think this is? Still relying on fists and kicks?"

"You dared to kidnap him—why wouldn’t I dare to pull the trigger? Killing them was self-defense. Want me to show you my firearm license?"

As the head of the top financial conglomerate, Luo Yao naturally enjoyed certain privileges—like legal authorization to carry weapons.

Lin Ran was mesmerized by Luo Yao’s presence. No matter the situation, his wife never failed to make his heart race.

Once again, he reaffirmed—being a husband was a feeling.

Cold sweat trickled down Luo Wuyou’s forehead. Her earlier excitement had completely vanished, replaced by sheer terror.

"Don’t come any closer, or I’ll kill your little man."

Lin Ran frowned at her words.

"Just say ‘man.’ Why add ‘little’? You’re seriously misusing that word."

Luo Wuyou was starting to suspect Lin Ran was an incurable chatterbox. His endless rambling was downright infuriating.

She was a professionally trained individual, capable of holding her own against formidable opponents—but Lin Ran wasn’t a physical threat. His attacks were verbal.

And that was precisely Luo Wuyou’s blind spot.

"Shut up… Is ‘misusing’ even the right word here? Huh?"

Lin Ran scoffed. "We’re in a life-or-death situation, and you’re nitpicking my word choice? Just let me go—maybe I’ll convince her to spare you. Besides, we’re not even enemies, right? Your beef is with Luo Yao."

Luo Wuyou stiffened, turning his words over in her mind. There was some logic to it. If Lin Ran wasn’t planning to expose the USB drive, then things weren’t as dire as she thought.

Luo Yao knew she hated her. Kidnapping her man was just revenge—nothing more.

If she released Lin Ran, there might still be a way out.

As long as she was breathing, she stood a better chance than being dead.

She could always strike back when the time was right. No need to throw her life away here.

Having made up her mind, Luo Wuyou regained her composure and spoke calmly.

"Niece, do you want your man alive or dead?"

Luo Yao answered without hesitation, "Alive… preferably. If he’s dead, I’ll kill you for revenge."

(And then I’ll follow him in death.)

She left the last part unspoken.

At that moment, Luo Wuyou suddenly realized that Lin Ran might not actually be leverage against Luo Yao. Trying to control her through him was pure delusion.

Of course. A woman with no heart couldn’t be threatened.

"Fine. I’ll let him go, and you let me leave."

"Deal."

"I don’t trust you. Get me a helicopter."

"Done."

Luo Yao sent a message, and soon, Uncle Fu landed a helicopter outside.

"The chopper’s ready. Now get lost. If I ever see you again, you won’t leave as a human." Luo Yao’s gaze remained fixed on the dagger in Luo Wuyou’s hand. She couldn’t afford even a moment’s carelessness—not when Lin Ran’s safety was at stake.

Luo Wuyou cautiously backed toward the helicopter, keeping Lin Ran between herself and Luo Yao. When she reached the chopper, she paused, staring at it for a long moment.

"My, my. Having money really is something, isn’t it? A helicopter on demand. Hah! The Luo Group in your hands… what a waste."

"Just leave. I don’t want to hear your pointless rambling." Luo Yao cut her off. Right now, all she cared about was getting Lin Ran back.

Luo Wuyou shoved Lin Ran aside and boarded the helicopter, taking off without another word. Luo Yao didn’t lift a finger to stop her.

Watching Luo Wuyou expertly pilot the helicopter, Lin Ran was dumbfounded.

"She’s full of surprises."

"Had enough of staring?"

Luo Yao approached Lin Ran, carefully checking him for injuries.

"She’s really gone?" Lin Ran muttered in disbelief.

"Relax. The chopper’s rigged. She won’t survive."

Lin Ran’s pupils shrank. "No wonder you let her go so easily."

"I didn’t let her go because I wanted to. I did it because I was afraid you’d get hurt. Remember, Lin Ran—nothing matters more than your safety."

Lin Ran’s heart swelled. No matter what, Luo Yao always put him first. That love was his alone.

"Tch. Letting her walk away just like that…"

Luo Yao arched a brow. "You regret it?"

Lin Ran shook his head quickly. "Of course not! But the USB drive is still with her. All my hard work was for nothing."

"The USB was real," Luo Yao said, catching him off guard.

"What? You gave me the actual files?" Lin Ran was stunned.

"It’s fine. Sometimes the truth is more useful than a lie. But she won’t get to use it—she’ll disappear along with that drive." Luo Yao’s eyes were icy, a wave of relief washing over her.

"Lin Ran, don’t you ever pull something this dangerous again. I’m not joking."

Lin Ran felt a sudden heat rush through him, his gaze shifting in a way that made Luo Yao pause.