"Alia doesn't even want to give you that compensation; she wants to treat the company as her dowry, a pledge of loyalty to the Thompson Family."
Dakota's voice grew colder. "My instincts say killing you today is her real goal."
Milo looked at me in silence, his gaze cold. My cries for help grew weaker.
"If she doesn't die, she'll probably think of other ways," Dakota said softly, softly on purpose so Milo could still hear. And he did hear.
His gaze grew colder, and he stepped toward me.
Behind him, Dakota softly reminded, "Milo, be careful."
Calm… I had to stay calm…
I shouted it in my heart, but with my leg cramping, my stomach hurting more and more, and the despair of knowing no one would save me, I couldn't stay calm at all.
Suddenly, my phone rang.
The urgent ringtone pulled me back a little. The phone inside the waterproof pouch gave me a small spark of hope. Who was calling?
Seeing the contact name, I quickly answered.
"Alia, we… we're also near the beach where you're playing. Don't worry, we stayed at the hotel and didn't come over. We just want to see you, even for a moment. Is that okay?"
“Save me… save me…” I used the last of my strength to cry out.
"Alia, what's wrong?"