Chapter 185: Chapter 185

Flora was confined to a small bedroom, curled up in a corner of the bed, and unknowingly drifted into sleep.

After an unknown duration of sleep, she was awakened by a noisy commotion. Flora instinctively snapped to attention, cautiously approaching the window. Outside was dimly lit, and she could vaguely sense that someone had arrived, though she couldn't see who it was.

However, one thing was clear to Flora— the sound of Maxwell's Porsche. It was a noise she would listen for every night back at the Smith Family mansion, and it had ingrained itself in her mind.

Hearing this familiar sound, Flora froze. Had Maxwell come? Was he here to rescue her? But what if he was in danger? There were so many people who had abducted her, but Maxwell was alone! She began to worry, even more about his safety than her own. She didn't want anything to happen to Maxwell.

In the adjacent room, Chiyoko sat angrily on the bed, glaring at Philip. She threatened him once again, "If you don't kill Flora soon, I'll immediately call my uncle..."

"Sweetheart, come over here." Philip, who had been observing outside with binoculars, suddenly turned around and waved to her. He smiled faintly, an expression of triumph on his face.

Chiyoko turned her face away, ignoring him.

Philip continued in a teasing tone, "The person you miss the most is here. Do you want to see him?"

As soon as Philip's words fell, Chiyoko rushed forward, snatching the binoculars from his hand and pointing them in the direction he was pointing. As she saw the figure of Maxwell, her mouth dropped open in astonishment. Then she quickly turned around, glaring at him with a mixture of anger and desperation, and shouted, "Why did you bring Maxwell here? Are you insane? If he finds out I'm here, I'll be in grave danger!"

Philip, still holding her waist, smiled slightly and kissed the corner of her lips. "Darling, would I harm you? Dare I harm you? I love you too much for that." He loved her body, obsessively!

"Cut the nonsense! Why did you bring Maxwell here if you're helping me?" Chiyoko pushed away his hand in anger, speaking in a low voice, afraid Maxwell might hear. However, she was becoming more frantic inside.

"Stupid girl, when Flora went missing, Maxwell's first suspicion would undoubtedly fall on you. With his capabilities, he'd definitely uncover the truth. Now, I tell him I kidnapped Flora to get the necklace, diverting his attention. You are safe now, right? And I do need the necklace back and can make use of Flora at the same time. It's killing two birds with one stone, understand?" Philip glanced at Maxwell outside the door, feeling quite pleased with himself.

After hearing his explanation, Chiyoko lowered her head, contemplating for a while. Yes, this way she could avoid suspicion! But...

Looking up, she stared at Philip and asked, "Will you do anything to Maxwell? Can you successfully get rid of Flora?" She didn't want anything to happen to Maxwell, but she wanted Flora dead, never to see her again!

"Don't worry, I will try not to harm your lover." Philip tightened his grip on her waist sarcastically, cruelly saying, "I will help you get rid of Flora. Satisfied now?"

"That's good." Chiyoko sighed in relief, then looked at him and continued, "Maxwell is a principled and trustworthy person. If he says he doesn't have the necklace, he definitely doesn't have it. Even if you pressure him, it won't work!"

"The necklace went through his hands and lost half of it. The other half is most likely in his hands," Philip insisted, not enjoying how Chiyoko was siding with Maxwell. To change the subject, he said, "Okay, I'll go meet him now. My dear, to prevent you from getting stimulated, and seeing gruesome scenes you shouldn't see, I must ensure you stay in this room, unable to speak. You don't mind, do you?"

Philip asked this, but he didn't wait for her to answer. He turned around and brought over a prepared rope and tape. Embracing Chiyoko, he pushed her onto a chair and quickly bound her body and the chair together with the rope.

Chiyoko was shocked and exclaimed, "Hey, what are you doing? Why are you tying me up? I could have just stayed inside!" As she shouted, she struggled, lifting her high-heeled shoes and kicking them towards Philip!

"I'm afraid you might go out." Philip dodged her attack, grinned wickedly, and, without waiting for her to continue scolding, sealed her mouth with tape. After kissing her on the face, he laughed and walked out.

"Where's Flora?" The first words Maxwell uttered upon seeing Philip were these. His icy expression successfully concealed the anxiety on his face but failed to hide the turmoil within.

"Looking for your sweetheart? Don't worry, she's doing fine now." Philip waved behind him, and Flora emerged, escorted by two men.

Upon spotting Maxwell, Flora erupted in anger. "Maxwell! What are you doing here? Do you really think you're so great, with a skull harder than bullets?" As she cursed, her eyes turned red.

Maxwell, facing her outburst, felt a twinge in his heart. Soon, he noticed her swollen hand. What was initially an attraction turned into pain as he realized the severity of her injuries. Those pitiful fingers, previously caught in the door by him, were now hurt again. It must be painful. How could she muster the strength to curse in such a condition?

Gazing at her, Maxwell spoke quietly, "Flora, are you okay? Save some energy and close your mouth. There will be a chance for more cursing later." He felt sorry for her!

Flora, unable to speak, suddenly realized that this was the first time he called her like this, so naturally. Not Miss Flora, but Flora. A touch of emotion passed through her heart, followed by self-scolding for thinking about such sentimental matters at a time like this.

"Is that enough? If it is, let's get down to business." Philip interrupted their ambiguous exchange, eyeing the man before him, a sculpted figure that fueled his jealousy.

Chiyoko loved Maxwell so much that she repeatedly used him, even when reluctantly submitting to him was stiff. She loved Maxwell? Fine! He was determined to send Maxwell to another world and see how much she loved him!

Itou Tokugawa had instructed that if Maxwell couldn't hand over the necklace, he should be killed as soon as possible. For Chiyoko, he had delayed it time and again, but that heartless woman hadn't even uttered a word of thanks, let alone been moved!

When Maxwell's gaze returned to Philip, he resumed his icy demeanor and coldly warned, "The necklace is lost because of me, it has nothing to do with anyone else. Let her go."

"Want me to let her go? Unless you hand over the necklace, otherwise..." Philip didn't finish his sentence, raising the gun in his hand and aiming it at Flora's abdomen, sneering, "That would be two lives for one."

Flora was startled by the cold touch at her waist. The necklace? So, they were fighting over the necklace, and it was in her possession. But she didn't know the significance of that piece of the necklace to Maxwell. Should she give it to Philip to save herself?

It had been a while since she heard anything about the necklace, thinking the storm had passed. Little did she know they were still fighting over it. In her dilemma, a group of armed men burst into the room, surrounding Maxwell.

The intimidating scene frightened Flora, unsure of what would happen next. Maxwell, though internally panicked, managed to successfully conceal his emotions.

Remaining calm, he said to Philip, "Killing her serves no purpose. Itou Tokugawa wants my life. Come on, then." Yet, he was also thinking about whether Darren and the others had arrived and why there was no sign of their presence.

Philip released Flora and walked towards Maxwell, circling him with a sneer, "You're indeed brave, daring to invade my territory alone. Is the power of love so great? Since you want to die in place of your little lover, I can grant you that."

Philip paused, feigning distress, "Well... a single shot for you might be too boring. Let's take our time. Breaking your bones might make fewer women love you, won't it?"

With that, Philip signaled to the men in black, and at an unexpected moment for Maxwell, forces from all directions instantly struck every part of his body. A muffled groan escaped his lips as he fell to his knees.

"No!" Flora screamed, watching helplessly as Maxwell was brought down, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

However, he didn't plead; instead, he spoke with a cold, firm tone, "Let her go!"

Maxwell knew he couldn't defeat so many people, and a slight resistance might result in a barrage of bullets. So, he didn't resist. If he had to die, at least he wanted to secure a chance for Flora and the baby to survive!

"When you're dead, I'll let her go. Rest assured," Philip smirked darkly. Both of them would die today, but he enjoyed seeing Maxwell in pain. He wanted to witness the last second of his life. Would he still be as defiant as now? He didn't believe it!

"Continue! Why stop? Keep going until he stops breathing!" Philip scolded the men in black impatiently, and another round of frenzied beatings ensued.

Flora, in a panic, rushed forward, forcefully pushing through the crowd and throwing herself onto Maxwell, shouting, "Stop! Don't kill him!"

There was a momentary pause in the crowd.

Flora clung to Maxwell, holding his handsome face in her hands, caressing it, and sobbing, "Why do you believe the words of those Japanese devils? They won't spare your child!"

Maxwell grabbed her right hand, carefully examining the swollen fingers before gently kissing them. His lips brushed her face and lingered near her ear as he comforted, "Don't be afraid; we'll be fine."

"Mr. Maxwell, you're very confident, and Miss Flora, you're very clever," Philip laughed loudly.

Flora, holding onto Maxwell, defiantly glared at him, "You just want that half of the necklace, right? I'll give it to you. Release Maxwell now!"

Her words startled both Philip and Maxwell. Philip was the first to speak, mockingly saying, "Miss Flora, you're quite humorous. That's not something you can buy casually in a store."

"I know. The half of the necklace was accidentally torn off by me. It has nothing to do with Maxwell. But I left it in the apartment. You can come with me to get it," Flora said nonchalantly.

Maxwell held her jaw, turning her face towards him, and stared at her indifferently, asking, "Are you telling the truth?"

"It's true," Flora said. Seeing his indifferent expression, she began to feel remorseful. She worried that he was angry. The reason she hadn't given him half of the necklace at first was because she feared he would mistreat her. Later, it was because she was afraid he would feel deceived, get angry, and not forgive her.

At this moment, she indeed saw Maxwell's angry expression, and the hand that held hers tightened. He was indeed angry!

"How do I know you're not playing me?" Philip, upon hearing about the necklace, was delighted but still cautious. However, he was too desperate for the necklace, so even if it was a trap, he would still take the risk.

Flora glanced around at the surrounding people and sneered, "So many of you, afraid I'll play you?"

Philip considered it and quickly arranged a car, following Flora and Maxwell to the apartment building. Even if it was a slim hope at one minute past midnight, he couldn't afford to let it slip away!

Sitting in the business van, Flora sneakily glanced at the visibly upset Maxwell. With her left hand, she tugged at the hem of his clothes and cautiously explained, "Do you... need that necklace?"

Maxwell turned his head, his face filled with anger in the dim light. He stared at her and said coldly, "The necklace means nothing to me. What I didn't expect was that you actually tampered with it, and yet you boldly deny it!"

"Maxwell, listen to me. I didn't mean to deceive you, I..." Flora became anxious and didn't know how to explain to him. Where should she start? Would he believe her again?

"Not mean to?" Maxwell growled. Because of that half of the necklace, he had been chased by the Yota Gang several times. Today, he almost lost his life. Unexpectedly, the person causing him harm was this woman in front of him!

"I really didn't mean to..." Flora explained tearfully, "When I took the necklace from my mother, I ran away. Later, I found out it was missing half. I was afraid you wouldn't spare Henry, so I went to the jewelry store to repair and add the other half on."

Flora nervously swallowed and continued before he could speak, "Later, when I returned to the Smith Family mansion, I found the other half on me. But you said at the hotel that if I dared to deceive you, there would be no mercy. So... I didn't dare to say."

After uttering the last word, Flora raised her head, still stealing glances at him. However, Maxwell just smirked, and then closed his eyes. It was unclear whether he had really listened to her words, leaving Flora feeling uncertain.

"Are you listening?" Flora asked, staring at him with pleading eyes.

"I'm listening. A perfect explanation. Do you think I'll believe it?" He suddenly opened his eyes, looking at her angrily.

Flora quickly raised her hand, "I swear everything I said is true. Why would I keep that half of the necklace when it means nothing to me? It was an accidental mistake."

Before Maxwell could speak again, the car had already slowly stopped. Several gun-wielding men in the front seat nonchalantly said, "Mr. Maxwell, we've arrived at the apartment. Who will go up to get the necklace?"

"I'll go; he doesn't know where it is," Flora said, getting out of the car and heading toward the apartment building.

In less than ten minutes, she came back down, handing the half necklace to Philip.

Philip turned on the car lights and carefully examined the necklace with a magnifying glass. Then he laughed, "If you had handed it over sooner, you wouldn't have suffered so much."

After putting the necklace into his pocket, he drove back on the return route. Of course, he dared not return to the same cottage. Maxwell's manpower was not to be underestimated, especially now that Flora was no longer in his hands. He had no choice but to change the location.

Upon entering the house, Chiyoko, who had been moved with them, was furious. She slapped him hard across the face, exclaiming, "Where is Flora? You actually let her go?!"

Philip, holding his sore left cheek, wasn't angry. He patted her shoulder with a good-natured expression and said, "Sorry, baby, I really didn't expect the necklace to be with Flora. I had to let her go to get the necklace. But don't worry, I won't let her go next time."

"You always only think of yourself! Always so selfish!" Chiyoko yelled at him. "Now that Flora has been taken back, Maxwell will be more careful. Where will you get a chance to capture her again?"

"Don't worry; there will always be a chance. Hmm?" Philip smiled and said, logically, now that he had obtained the necklace, he could successfully retreat to Japan. Unfortunately, he couldn't bear to part with the beautiful woman in front of him.

She wanted to get rid of Flora, right? He helped her get rid of her!

"You can't succeed in anything you do. Should I still trust you?" Chiyoko infuriated, pushed him away and walked briskly towards the suite door. The almost-occurred event didn't happen, and she couldn't help but feel angry.

Philip, in a hurry, grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, saying, "Don't be hasty. Fortunately, I didn't kill Flora. Otherwise, we would never find the necklace in this lifetime, right?"

"Don't mention the necklace to me!" Chiyoko roared, breaking free from his grip and heading towards the door again. What did the necklace have to do with her? She had no interest in it at all!