Chapter 43: Final Chapter

Alistair placed Clara gently on the bed, leaning over to gaze at her. Moonlight spilled through the gaps in the curtains, tracing her exquisite silhouette. His fingers lightly brushed her cheek, feeling her slight tremor.

"Last chance," his voice was low and raspy. "Say 'no,' and I'll stop."

Clara raised her hand, her fingertips touching his lips. "I won't say that word."

Alistair’s eyes darkened instantly, and he leaned down to kiss her. This kiss was different from his previous restraint; it carried an irresistible dominance and possessiveness. Clara felt her breath being stolen, her consciousness gradually blurring, leaving her only able to clutch his shoulders tightly.

Just as they were lost in the moment, Alistair’s phone suddenly rang. He frowned and glanced at it; the caller ID showed an unknown number. Instinct told him to ignore it, but years of alertness forced him to press the answer button.

"Master Vance, long time no see." A cold voice came from the other end.

Alistair’s body stiffened instantly. He rose quickly from Clara’s side and walked to the window, his voice as cold as ice: "Lin Shixiong."

Clara sat up, watching Alistair’s sudden shift in attitude with confusion. His back looked exceptionally rigid in the moonlight, the lines of his shoulders tense.

"I heard you’ve been busy lately, not even contacting old friends." The voice on the phone was mocking. "But that's alright; I found something much more interesting to do. Your little beauty... she should be by your side right now, shouldn't she?"

Alistair spun around, his gaze scanning the room like lightning before locking onto Clara. He strode to her side and pulled her into his arms, as if he could protect her from any harm this way.

"What do you want?" his voice was low and dangerous.

"Don't be nervous. I just want to ask for a small favor. Meet me at the abandoned factory on the east side of town at ten o'clock tomorrow morning. Come alone, and bring what I want. Otherwise..." A sinister laugh came through the phone. "You know the consequences."

The call ended. Alistair’s fingers nearly crushed the phone. Clara felt the tension in his body and asked softly, "What’s wrong? What happened?"

Alistair released her, cupping her face with both hands, his expression more serious than ever before: "Clara, listen to me. From this moment on, you must stay by my side at all times. Don't ask why—just trust me."

Clara had never seen him so frantic. She nodded. "Alright. I trust you."

Alistair quickly dialed a number: "Old Chen, send two teams to secure the perimeter of my house immediately. Lin Shixiong has surfaced." After hanging up, he began to dress rapidly. "We need to leave here at once."

Just as Clara was about to get out of bed, she heard a slight noise from outside the window. Alistair’s reaction was far faster than hers; he lunged at her, shielding her with his body. In the next second, the sound of glass shattering was followed by a dull thud. A bullet embedded itself into the wall exactly where they had been standing.

"Get down!" Alistair growled, pulling Clara as they rolled to the other side of the bed. He pulled a handgun from the nightstand drawer, chambering a round with practiced ease.

Clara’s eyes widened in disbelief. Alistair had a gun? Who exactly was he?

There was no time for explanations. With his gun in one hand and protecting Clara with the other, Alistair moved quickly to the door. He peered through the crack to observe the situation outside, then turned back to Clara: "Stay close to me. Don't make a sound."

They crept downstairs. Alistair’s phone vibrated again. He glanced at it—a message from his bodyguards:

Both front and back exits are blocked. At least six men.

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Alistair’s eyes. He whispered to Clara, "We have to go through the basement."

Just as they turned to head for the basement, the front door was smashed open. Three men in black surged in, weapons in hand. Alistair reacted instantly, shoving Clara behind the sofa while he rolled behind a pillar.

"Master Vance, long time no see," the leader sneered. "Chairman Lin asked me to send his regards."

Alistair didn't waste words. He fired a single shot, precisely hitting the man’s shoulder. The other two immediately opened fire, bullets whistling through the living room. Clara curled up behind the sofa, hands over her ears, her heart nearly leaping from her chest.

During the gunfight, Alistair downed another man, but a bullet from the third attacker grazed his arm, blood instantly staining his white shirt. He bit his tongue against the pain, charging during the gap while the man was reloading, knocking him unconscious with an elbow strike.

"Clara!" he shouted. "Come here, quickly!"

Clara stood up trembling. She had only run two steps when another man armed with a knife lunged from the kitchen. Alistair didn't have time to aim; he used his own body to shield Clara. The blade sliced across his abdomen, and blood sprayed out.

"Alistair!" Clara screamed, catching him as he stumbled.

Alistair fought the agony, raising his gun to kill the attacker. His breathing turned ragged, and his face went pale rapidly. "Go..." he wheezed. "The basement... there’s an escape tunnel..."

Clara supported him as they struggled to the basement. With blood-stained fingers, Alistair punched in a hidden code, and a secret door slowly opened. Just as they were about to enter the tunnel, more footsteps echoed from behind.

"They're over there!" someone shouted.

Alistair gave Clara a shove. "Go first!"

"No! I won't leave you!" Clara gripped his arm with a death-grip.

Alistair looked at her resolute eyes and suddenly smiled. "What a stubborn woman." He stood up through the pain, fired the last two rounds at the pursuers, then pulled Clara into the tunnel and slammed the door shut.

The tunnel was narrow and dark. Clara supported the wounded Alistair as they forged ahead. She could feel his body temperature dropping, his breathing growing fainter.

"Hold on, we’re almost out," she encouraged him, fighting back tears.

Finally, they reached the end of the tunnel. They pushed open an exit disguised as a dumpster and emerged into the small woods behind the villa. Sirens wailed in the distance; Alistair’s bodyguards had finally arrived.

"We're safe..." Alistair whispered, then his world went black, and he collapsed into Clara’s arms.

Three days later, in a hospital VIP ward.

Clara had fallen asleep by the side of the bed, her hand still tightly clutching Alistair’s. After surgery, the doctors had removed the blade from his abdomen. Fortunately, no vital organs were hit, but massive blood loss had left him in a coma for two full days.

Alistair slowly opened his eyes, feeling the warmth in his palm. He turned his head to see Clara’s exhausted, sleeping face, and a surge of tenderness filled his heart. He lightly moved his fingers, and Clara woke up instantly.

"You're awake!" she cried out in joy, tears streaming down her face. "You scared me to death!"

Alistair offered a weak smile. "Sorry for making you worry."

Clara rang for the doctor. After an examination, it was confirmed that Alistair was out of danger but needed continued rest. Once the doctor left, they were alone.

"Now, can you tell me what actually happened?" Clara asked, her voice trembling with lingering fear. "Who were those people? Why did you have a gun?"

Alistair took a deep breath, deciding to hide nothing more. "I was once an undercover operative for the police, specifically investigating Lin Shixiong’s criminal syndicate. After the mission ended two years ago, I appeared to retire into the business world, but in reality, I was still assisting the police in dismantling the remaining factions."

Clara’s eyes widened in disbelief at what she was hearing.

"Lin Shixiong escaped from prison that night. He found out my identity and wanted revenge." Alistair smiled bitterly. "I didn't want to involve you, but clearly, it was too late."

Clara was silent for a moment, then asked, "So... you rejected me because of this?"

Alistair nodded. "My life is full of danger. I didn't want to drag you down with me."

Clara suddenly leaned down and kissed his lips softly. "You idiot. Did you think that would be enough to scare me away?"

Alistair was stunned, then a tender smile lit his eyes. "You truly are an incredible woman."

"Back at you," Clara winked playfully. "Who would have thought the cold and heartless Master Vance was actually an undercover hero?"

A month later, Alistair was discharged from the hospital. Lin Shixiong and his accomplices had all been captured, and the case was closed. Alistair decided to officially retire, focusing on his business empire and... his love.

In Clara’s apartment, Alistair dropped to one knee, holding a diamond ring in his hand. "Clara, will you marry me? Not as an operative, not as a businessman, but just as the man who loves you."

With tears in her eyes, Clara nodded with a smile. "I will."

Alistair stood up, took her into his arms, and whispered in her ear: "This time, nothing can ever separate us."