"Now, let him go, or I'll crush his skull. If he dies, I'll drag another one out and do the same. Even if you stab Atlas, know that your fate afterward will be far worse than a life sentence for hijacking this plane."
The air inside the airplane grew thick with tension. The man holding Atlas hostage trembled, his lips quivering. He studied Penny and Zoren's expressions, his heart pounding.
Hostage-taking was only effective when people cared enough to comply. But if no one feared for the hostage's safety, then this wouldn't work. It was more like shooting himself in the foot. Still, how could Penny and Zoren risk Atlas's life so easily?
"You're… bluffing," the man breathed out with a nervous laugh. "Do you think I'd believe you? Haha! This is not going to work!"
"Huh?" Penny furrowed her brows. "You don't want to save your friends too? Aren't you heartless? I bet they'd be disheartened if they heard about this betrayal."