More terrifying than a desperado was his loyalty.
Callie recalled the bald man’s admiration for Holly, and a chill ran down her spine. Hollie’s downfall would really incite the bald man to kill.
“As always, it’s not worth to become a murderer for your beloved,” Callie said, facing his knife with no way to retreat.
This time, there was no hesitation in the bald man’s eyes, only ruthlessness. “Maybe it wasn’t worth it before, but now Holly has been harmed by you all and is like a rat in the street. Why should I let you live?”
The tip of the knife pressed against her throat. Callie closed her eyes. She was no longer as fearless as before; she had many concerns now.
Ahmad was struggling to get up, but the pain made it extremely difficult.
Callie waved her hands at him from her sides, signaling him not to force himself.
She had no intention of returning to the Ellison family as the eldest daughter, nor did she want Ahmad to protect her at the cost of his life.
But Ahmad seemed not to see her signal and persisted in trying to stand up.
“Young man, listen to me. I am Ahmad. Whatever you want, I can give it to you-money, status? Or women, including Holly. I can let her go and let her be with you. Wherever you want to go, if you can’t live here, you can go abroad!”
Ahmad spoke quickly, fearing the bald man might act impulsively.
He still held the knife but slowly turned his head. “You are willing to let her go?”
“Of course!”
“You’re lying!” The bald man pushed the knife forward a few more inches!
Ahmad reached out and shouted, “I’m not lying. I will let her go. Don’t you like her? I’ll let her be with you!”
Such words were very tempting.
In Callie’s eyes, it was a man over fifty lowering all his pride, almost begging to save her life.
The sincerity of this moment left her in a daze.
Was this… family love? Was it fatherly love from her biological father? Or was it simply not wanting her to die and not wanting to bear the guilt?
The bald man was obviously hesitant, but soon he woke up from the temptation. He shook his head. “No, you’re defiling her. She wouldn’t want to be with me, so…”
He looked at Callie with a devilish gaze. “You still have to die.”
Callie’s pupils dilated.
“Die!” The bald man’s voice was light as he quickly thrust the knife forward. Callie closed her eyes.
“No!” Ahmad screamed and, with unknown strength, suddenly got up and lunged forward, hugging Callie and taking the knife for her!
The sound of the knife piercing flesh amplified in her ears, but the expected pain did not come.
Callie opened her eyes to see Ahmad shielding her, his face growing paler by the second, and his back bleeding!
“Ahmad!” She cried out, unable to accept what she was seeing!
The bald man had stabbed the wrong person. His courage vanished. He stood there watching Ahmad slowly fall, blood flowing backward.
“Ahmad… Ahmad…” Callie knelt down helplessly, holding Ahmad’s body. “Don’t die. Hold on, don’t die…”
Her uncontrollable tears fell on Ahmad’s gaunt face.
He raised his hand to catch her tears but no longer had the strength.
“Callie… I’m sorry…”
Callie was nearly collapsing. She pressed on his wound to stop the bleeding but couldn’t say a word, only tears streaming down.
“I… owe you so much. I’m afraid I can’t repay it. I’m giving my life in return. Just hope you… don’t blame your mother…”