Chapter 292

The clock in the hotpot restaurant struck ten. Luna White stared blankly at the heavy snowfall outside the window. Andrew Smith and Nathaniel Smith still hadn’t returned—it seemed Shang Kaijie, that slippery eel, remained at large.

"Sis, almost done cleaning up?" Luna withdrew her gaze, her fingers absently tapping the table.

Luna Whitaker straightened up from wiping the counter. "All set. This damned weather—the snow’s getting worse." She glanced outside, worry creasing her brow. "You won’t be able to go back tonight."

A cold weight settled in Luna’s chest. Shang Kaijie was undoubtedly plotting his escape back to the capital. A plane would be too conspicuous—a car was his best bet. He could easily commandeer one of his underlings' vehicles and vanish into the blizzard, heading north. Once he reached his family’s territory, even Nathaniel would think twice before making a move.

"Sis, I’ve got a bad feeling," Luna murmured.

Whitaker handed her a steaming cup of tea. "Don’t overthink it. Ryan said he’d stay overnight, and the boys insisted on keeping him company. With three grown men here, nothing will go wrong."

As if on cue, Ryan Wallace and his two stepsons emerged from the kitchen, still bickering about who would stay behind.

"Dad, you should go home and rest. We young guys have energy to spare!" Ethan Whitaker thumped his chest.

Aaron Whitaker chimed in, "Yeah, and we’ve got to prep the spices for tomorrow. It makes sense for us to stay."

Ryan shook his head. "No way, you two reckless—"

"Enough!" Whitaker cut in firmly. "All three of you are staying. There’s a bed for each." She turned to Luna with a smile. "You’ll share my room tonight. Samuel can have the small bed to himself."

Samuel whooped. "Finally! No more listening to Ethan’s snoring or Aaron’s—"

"Brat!" Ethan lunged playfully, only for Ryan to laugh and block him.

Outside, the wind howled and snow swirled, but inside, warmth and laughter filled the air. Luna watched the family’s antics, her lips curving despite the unease gnawing at her.

Before leaving, she pulled Ryan aside. "Be on guard tonight. Shang Kaijie… he’s dangerous."

Ryan’s expression hardened. He grabbed a kitchen knife and tucked it into his belt. "I’ll walk you back."

Battling the storm, the four trudged through the snow. Ryan shielded his wife and son with his broad frame, while Luna clung to her sister’s arm, each step sinking into the drifts. A distance that should’ve taken minutes stretched into half an hour.

Finally home, Whitaker fumbled with the key, her hands trembling from the cold. Ryan stood at the doorstep, brushing snow off his coat. "Lock up. I’ll head back now."

Luna opened her mouth to bid him goodbye—then the hairs on her neck stood on end. She whirled around, yanking Whitaker behind her.

"Long time no see, Dr. White." Shang Kaijie stepped from the shadows, a gleaming knife pressed to Samuel’s throat. The boy’s face was pale, but he clenched his jaw, refusing to cry.

"Close the door," Shang said, tilting his head. "Don’t bother screaming. In this storm, no one will hear you."

Luna slowly shut the door. The lock clicked—a sound like fate’s gears turning. She guided Whitaker into the living room, her eyes never leaving the blade.

"Let the boy go," she said, her voice eerily calm. "It’s me you want."

Shang grinned, baring his teeth. "What’s the rush? The game’s just begun." He released Samuel, who immediately bolted to his mother—but still spread his arms protectively in front of the women.

The wind howled against the windows. The room was deathly silent. Luna studied Shang’s twisted expression, her mind racing. She knew one thing for certain: tonight would be endless.