Chapter 416
Chapter 416:
“What are you staring at?” Aiden, sipping his water, glanced over at her with a raised eyebrow.
“Just admiring a handsome guy,” she replied with a casual shrug. “Is that a problem?”
His heart raced for a moment, but he managed to keep his expression steady, not letting on how her words had affected him. “Well, since you clearly have great taste, I guess I’ll allow you to appreciate me for a while.” Was something beginning to simmer between them?
Aiden felt an odd blend of nervousness and excitement stirring in his chest, secretly wishing that the calm, pleasant atmosphere between them could last just a little longer.
But just then, a voice cut through, slicing the tranquility to pieces. “Janice, is this your boyfriend?”
The unexpected interruption caused Janice’s expression to freeze. Her eyes quickly snapped toward the source of the voice.
Across from them, lounging on a bench, was a man with a sly grin and eyes alight with trouble.
Aiden followed Janice’s gaze, and when his eyes landed on the man, a cold shock ran through him. He froze for a moment before his expression darkened with unmistakable recognition.
“Leonidas!”
The man chuckled, his grin widening. “Ah, what a privilege! After all this time, you still haven’t forgotten me.”
Leonidas lounged in his chair with predatory grace, a twisted smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Madness danced behind his eyes.
“That time you wounded Costello still burns bright in my memory.”
Janice rose from her seat, her gaze crystallizing into arctic steel.
“Janice?” Aiden’s brow furrowed as he caught the murderous intent rolling off her. “This is an amusement park, not a battlefield.”
“I know.” A bitter laugh escaped Janice’s throat as her fingers curled into fists. “Consider it a friendly sparring match.”
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“Stop!” Leonidas raised his hand in a halting gesture just as Janice coiled to strike.
“Are you scared?” Janice arched an eyebrow, studying the madman with newfound curiosity.
“Janice, we’ve barely met and you’re already so passionate. I’m not sure my fragile constitution can handle it,” Leonidas said, gesturing first to one family, then another. “What do you mean by this?”
Janice’s gaze followed his indication, noting the men in black who flanked each family. Despite their dark glasses, the killing intent radiating from them was palpable.
“Let’s play a game.” Leonidas rose with fluid grace, hands nestled in his pockets as he glided toward her.
Janice’s face darkened, her fists clenched with deadly intent, ready to unleash violence at a moment’s notice. Leonidas strolled with languid confidence, utterly unfazed by her battle-ready stance. His casual demeanor spoke volumes—this was a man who knew he held all the cards.
“These two families will each choose an attraction to enjoy next. The pirate ship beckons nearby, while the roller coaster looms on the opposite side. Now, I give you a choice. Will the family on the roller coaster survive, or the family on the pirate ship?”
“Leonidas, what kind of twisted game are you orchestrating? Are human lives mere pieces on your deranged chessboard?” Janice hissed, her fingers striking like vipers to seize his collar. She jerked him close, her eyes blazing with such arctic intensity they could shatter glaciers.
“Isn’t it thrilling? Choose one path to salvation while the other leads to oblivion. Such delicious torment.”
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