226 - Escape (8)

His tortured screams were but music in Atticus's ears.

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Julian scoffed.

"Atticus Bates," he uttered the two words with unconcealed hatred. "Still alive, huh?"

Atticus aimed the rifle square at Julian's heart.

"You never knew when to disappear and when to shut up," he said. "If only you let the bygones be bygones and just live peacefully without dipping your toe into my business, you would have outlived your parents. But well, I see that you are as stupid as your father."

"Julian," Hong Yunyi called out to Julian desperately. "You should not provoke him."

"I kind of have to," Julian replied through their mind connection. "Atticus Bates will not pull the trigger until he gets bored of tormenting his prey. Now do something useful and use your foresight. I need anything. Anything that will save us from our current predicament."

"..."