C460 Dagger Or Your Son

Peter looked at Mark, his face filled with concern. Quinton was the first to speak. “How will she speak to them when they just ended the call?” Nobody answered. For several minutes, we stood there without knowing what to do. The room was completely silent. Cipher was still staring at Mark's phone. Whoever had called us knew about Colombia. They knew Alicia had returned. And, most importantly, they knew about Emmanuel. Then suddenly, the phone rang again. Everyone looked at Mark. But this time, Alicia reached for it. “Hello?” The voice on the other end was different. It was a man's voice. Hanna had activated her voice changer again. “If you want to hear my proposition,” the voice said, “leave the house. I want to speak to you alone.” She looked around the room. Then she walked outside. I followed her with my eyes, but she raised a hand, telling me to stay where I was.

A few moments later, she spoke into the phone again. “I am alone now.” The voice immediately responded. “Your phone is still on speaker.” Alicia looked down at the phone. She understood. She turned off the speaker. “Now I'm alone.” There was silence for a few seconds. Then suddenly, the voice changer was deactivated. A woman's familiar voice came through. “Alicia.” Alicia froze. Her eyes widened. “Hanna?” Hanna laughed softly. “You know, sometimes luck just comes your way when you least expect it.” Alicia's expression hardened. “What do you want?” Hanna grinned on the other end. “Alicia, I really don't like people interrupting me.” Alicia said nothing. “And because of what you just did,” Hanna continued, “I think I'll pinch your son.” Alicia's face immediately changed. Then, through the phone, a baby's cry could be heard. Emmanuel. Alicia froze. Her lips parted, but no words came out. Hanna laughed softly. “You heard him, didn't you?” Alicia's eyes filled with tears. “Hanna…” “You have made a lot of enemies lately,” Hanna continued. “The kind of enemies who can kidnap your child and sell him to someone like me.”

Alicia wiped a tear from her cheek. “Charlie sold you my son?” Hanna smiled. “What can I say? It just happened that I also needed something that would make you willing to exchange Gold and Diamond.” Alicia's voice became angry. “You want my dagger?” Hanna laughed. “Of course.” “Hanna, have you forgotten that you were the one who failed to take it from the pool first?” Alicia's voice became stronger. “This dagger chose me.” Hanna suddenly laughed loudly. “Well, that's funny.” Alicia remained silent. “Because now,” Hanna continued, “you have to choose.” Her voice became colder. “Your son…” She paused. “…or the dagger.” Alicia opened her mouth. Nothing came out. She looked down at the ground as tears rolled down her face. Hanna continued. “Tomorrow at ten in the morning, I want you to take Gold and Diamond to the security guard at the mall.” Alicia listened carefully. “He will give you your son after you give him the dagger.” Alicia's hands tightened around the phone. “Try anything stupid, and your son will die.” Hanna's voice was completely calm. “I hope you understand that I'm not joking.” The call ended.

Alicia remained standing outside for several seconds. She didn't move. Then she slowly turned around and walked back into the house. The moment I saw her face, I knew something was wrong. Her face was pale. Tears were running down her cheeks. I immediately walked toward her. “Alicia, what did they say?” Alicia looked at me. Her voice trembled. “Mike…” She struggled to speak. “It was Hanna.” My heart stopped. “She has our baby.” Victor froze. “What?” Alicia looked down. “She said my enemies sold my son to her.” Mark stared at her in confusion. “Charlie Kinlore sold him to Hanna?” He shook his head. “But how do they even know each other?” Alicia wiped her tears. “I don't know. Hanna didn't explain everything.” She took a shaky breath. “She said she wants Gold and Diamond in exchange for Emmanuel.” Victor slowly shook his head. “I knew it.” Everyone looked at him. “That is what she has been after all this time.” Peter looked at Alicia. “So what will you do?” Alicia didn't hesitate. “I'll give her the dagger.” Everyone became silent. Alicia continued. “If it is truly fated to be mine, then it will come back to me.”

Victor looked at her. “I understand.” Then his expression became serious. “But how do we know this is real?” Alicia stared at him. “Grandpa, she pinched him. I heard Emmanuel crying. This is very real.” Victor shook his head. “That isn't what I mean.” He stepped closer. “What I mean is, how do we know Hanna will actually release Emmanuel?” Alicia remained silent. Victor continued. “You plan to go there, hand over the dagger, and simply take Emmanuel?” Alicia's eyes filled with tears again. “What other choice do I have?” “What if Hanna kills you?” Alicia's voice broke. “I don't know.” She wiped her tears. “As long as Emmanuel is safe, she can kill me.” Victor's expression immediately changed. He looked disappointed. “You know what Hanna wants.” Alicia looked at him. “She is after the leadership of the Third Family. If she kills you, then tell me what will stop her from killing your son too after you are dead?” Alicia said nothing. Victor continued. “If she takes Gold and Diamond and kills you, she doesn't just gain the dagger.” He paused. “She could wipe out my family line.” The room became completely silent. I looked at Victor. “So what do we do?”

Victor looked toward Alicia. “She has to make a decision.” He sighed. “But in my opinion, going there alone will make it easy for Hanna to eliminate Alicia and gain control of Gold and Diamond permanently.” I frowned. “So you think we should just let her hurt my son?” Victor immediately shook his head. “No, son. That's not what I mean.” He looked between Alicia and me. “I'm saying that every decision has consequences.” He pointed toward Alicia. “If she gives Hanna the dagger, Hanna may release Emmanuel. But she may also kill Alicia and keep Gold and Diamond.” He then looked at me. “And if Alicia refuses, Emmanuel could be the one who pays the price.” Nobody spoke. Victor's voice became quieter. “You two need to think about this carefully before making a decision.” Alicia looked down at the floor. I stood beside her, unable to say anything. For the first time since we became the Lions, we weren't facing an enemy we could simply fight. We were facing a choice. And either way, someone we loved could lose everything.