CHAPTER 116: TWISTED OBSESSION

George’s lip curled into a twisted smile, blood staining his teeth. "Acting tough in front of Daisy like your head isn’t already messed up? Pfft..."

Theo’s brows knit together. His voice came out flat, almost bored, but his words cut deep. "Looks like your head’s gotten worse these days. What’s the problem? Lack of love?"

George’s smirk faltered, his expression souring as the words pierced through him.

Theo closed the distance between them, his steps deliberate. His voice dropped lower, each word edged with steel. "I heard you dug up my medical report?" He clenched his jaw. "Too bad... I already knew your next move."

George snickered, tilting his head. "And what can you do? That little report of yours could shake your whole company... I wouldn’t have to play this dirty trick if you were willing to give up Daisy."

Theo’s expression didn’t waver. Cold, unreadable, he rubbed the back of his neck like he had all the time in the world. "Go on then. But Daisy is not someone you can put on the bargain table."

"Are you sure?" George sneered, his tone oily. "The woman might already know, but what about the world? One little leak to the press, and your spotless image is gone. Investors panic, the board starts asking questions... Tell me, Theo, how long do you think you can keep standing then?"

Theo’s jaw flexed once, but his expression didn’t crack. He rubbed the back of his neck again, unhurried, as if George’s words weighed less than dust.

"Do what you want," he said coldly. "It just... do you plan to stop here? Or settle at the police station?"

George frowned, his smirk faltering for a second. "Police?" he scoffed, though the edge of unease flickered in his eyes. "You think you can scare me with that?"

Theo tilted his head slightly, his stare unwavering. "I don’t need to scare you. Your dad will." A very subtle smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, so faint it was almost insulting.

George stiffened, his bravado cracking for the first time. "You—"

Theo’s gaze stayed locked on him before he leaned near George’s ear, his voice low and controlled.

"We should just end it here because... I heard your father already rejected Daisy... right after her father’s company went under. You couldn’t protect her, George... Admit it."

George froze, the smirk ripped clean off his face. His fists clenched at his sides. The truth burned worse than the threat of the police.

Theo straightened, his tone almost casual. "So tell me, George," he said, a thin smirk tugging at his lips, "what are you holding onto, exactly?"

"The one marrying her will be me... not my father," George bit out, his voice strained.

"Then convince your dad," Theo shot back without missing a beat. He turned, heading for the changing room. Halfway there, he paused and glanced over his shoulder, his gaze sharp.

"And George... if you want to threaten someone, make sure you’re not standing on cracks yourself."

Theo was walking toward the changing room when George suddenly pulled out a gun, losing his grip on sanity.

"I hate to admit this," George hissed, the metal trembling slightly in his grip, "but you’ve poked at my sore spot too much..." He raised the gun, pointing it straight at Theo’s back.

"Woah—woah, bro, calm down." Liam’s eyes darted around the room, desperate to find anything or something that could break George’s focus.

But Theo didn’t turn. His voice was steady, almost bored. "If you’re going to shoot, George... don’t talk about it. Just do it."

"No!" Daisy rushed out from the changing room and threw herself in front of Theo. "Stop, George!"

"What are you doing? Stay inside..." Theo pulled her gently to his side, shielding her.

George’s face twisted with frustration. He suddenly shouted, "Argh! What the hell is this?! Are you filming a damn drama here?! Enough of this crap! And you, Daisy, get your ass over here right now!"

Theo scoffed, his tone dripping with disbelief. "What, you think just because you’re waving that gun around, you’ve already won?"

"No—no, Theo, please. Just... keep quiet," Daisy pleaded from behind him, her voice shaking.

"Shut up!" George barked, his grip on the gun tightening, knuckles turning white as his face burned with rage.

Theo’s eyes flicked, just briefly to the corner of the room, catching sight of Alex slipping in silently from behind. His gaze sharpened, calculated, like a hidden signal.

Then he turned back to George, smirking. "What’s wrong? All bark, no bite? If you’re going to shoot, stop trembling like a coward."

"Don’t... Theo, stop!" Daisy’s voice cracked as she tried to pull him back, but Theo stood his ground.

George’s eyes narrowed, fury blazing. He caught that flicker in Theo’s stare, realized too late he was being distracted, and his rage exploded. His finger jerked on the trigger.

BANG!

"Argh!" The deafening shot echoed through the boutique. A chorus of screams followed as staff scrambled for cover, heels clattering against the floor. Aurora’s legs gave out, and she collapsed onto her back, pale and shaking. Daisy dropped down, hands clamped over her ears, eyes squeezed shut, her whole body trembling in terror.

Before anyone could catch their breath, George spun toward the movement at his back and fired again.

BANG!

"Ugh—!" Alex staggered, the bullet tearing into his chest. His gun slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor as he collapsed, clutching the dark stain spreading rapidly across his shirt.

George stepped over, kicking the fallen weapon away. His grin twisted, but instead of menace it carried a strange, broken sadness. "Okay now, Daisy... come here like a good girl, before I end your husband’s life too."

The room froze. Liam didn’t breathe. Aurora covered her mouth, trembling. Daisy’s heart hammered, every nerve screaming.

Theo’s voice cut through the silence, low and strained. "Don’t... move. It’s—okay. I’m here."

Something about his tone made Daisy’s chest tighten, it wasn’t the steady calm she knew. It cracked at the edges, heavy with pain. Her eyes snapped open.

And that’s when she saw it, Theo was still shielding her with his body, but this time his body was lower, pressed to the floor. Blood seeped fast from his leg, pooling beneath him. He’d been shot.

"Theo...!" Daisy’s breath hitched, her whole body trembling as she realized he’d taken the first bullet. He was still shielding her, even as his leg bled out beneath him, dragging him down to the floor.

"You know what..." George’s voice quivered, a dangerous edge threading through it. "Since I’ve come this far, I don’t think I need to hold back anymore." He steadied his grip, pointing the gun directly at Theo’s head.

His eyes gleamed with twisted satisfaction. "So, Daisy, one last time... come here while I’m still being nice... before I put a bullet straight through your husband’s skull."

"No, Daisy... don’t worry, the police will arrive soon..." Theo’s voice wavered, his gaze locking on hers. He nodded weakly, though his face had already gone pale as he clutched the wound, fighting to stay upright.

"Argh! I hate this!" George’s voice cracked, his rage boiling over as he pressed the gun against Theo’s temple. "Why do you always push me this far?! Huh?! I just ask you to love me back... is that so hard?!"

Liam tensed, edging forward but George’s eyes snapped to him. "One move, and I’ll paint this floor with his brains!"

"Don’t—don’t," Daisy’s trembling voice broke the silence. She forced herself to her feet, her legs shaking beneath her. "I—I will follow you... just don’t hurt him."

"No..." Theo’s hand clutched hers, his grip weak but desperate. "Don’t do this... please..."

Daisy gently pulled away, her fingertips slipping from his. She lowered her voice to a whisper, barely audible, meant only for him. "It’s okay... he won’t hurt me."

Then she lifted her chin, swallowing hard, her eyes fixed on George. "Let’s go."

George’s twisted grin widened. Without another word, he seized Daisy’s arm and yanked her toward the door. The sound of her footsteps echoed, fading quickly as he dragged her away.

Theo, who was losing his mind at that moment screamed, "Where the hell is the back up?!"