Stacy's hands trembled as she finally reached her mother, her fingers fumbling with the tight knots that bound her wrists. She had almost freed her when a cold voice sliced through the air.
"Stop. I said, stop, unless you want me to blow your head off."
The words echoed, sharp and unmistakably deadly. Stacy froze, feeling her blood run cold as she turned to face Yuan Yuan, who stood a few feet away, aiming a gun directly at her.
The cold metal gleamed under the dim light, a twisted smile curling at the corners of Yuan Yuan's mouth.
"Hands on your head. Now!" Yuan Yuan barked, her tone dripping with malice. Stacy lifted her hands slowly, her gaze locking with Yuan Yuan's as she tried to keep her breathing steady.
She was painfully aware of her mother's helpless figure just inches away, her eyes pleading, filled with fear for her daughter.
