The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)
Chapter 384

Magnus, seizing a moment when Lucius was caught up in his triumphant reverie, made a stealthy beeline for the massive cargo ship that held Jonas in its iron grip.

"Halt!" Lucius snapped to attention, drawing the pistol he'd purchased in advance. Its dark barrel was aimed squarely at Magnus. "Oh, come on, Magnus. Did you really think I'd let you walk away alive?" Magnus slowly turned, his icy gaze churning like a stormy sea. "I've paid you as agreed. What more do you want?"

"What more? Have you lost your mind, Magnus? You've ruined me-left me with nothing. Why should I simply take your money and let you leave? You're so naive!" Lucius sauntered toward Magnus, his eyes gleaming with malicious satisfaction. "You've been playing your games, Magnus, but did you ever imagine you'd meet your end at my hand?"

"Hold on!" Natalia's voice pierced through from afar. Disregarding the sinking sands of the beach, she kicked off her heels and sprinted forward, barefoot. "Wait, Lucius! Please, let Jonas go. We'll pay you anything! Just don't hurt him."

Magnus hadn't expected Natalia to show up now of all times. Fuming, he turned to James, who had followed her. "James, what did I tell you before I left? How could you bring her here?"

James, looking sheepish, replied, "If anything happened to you and I hadn't brought her, how could I live with myself?"

"It was my choice to come, not James' fault!" Natalia interjected, her fearlessness undiminished even by the pistol in Lucius' grip. She stepped closer and pleaded, "Lucius, we'll give you anything you want. Just please, spare Jonas. He's family, for heaven's sake. Don't do something you'll regret forever."

"Family?" Lucius laughed bitterly. "The day I was thrown into that cell, I lost any family I ever had in this world!"

With the pistol now pressing against Magnus' throat, Lucius continued his tirade. "So, you brought backup? Perfect. Today, I'll send you all to the land of the dead together. You can be a happy family in hell!" Then, with a lascivious grin at Natalia, he added, "I didn't expect you to still be this stunning after all these years. It's a shame, really, with explosives rigged all over this place. But if you spend the night with me maybe I'll consider sparing your lives."

Magnus, with the gun to his head, found his vision fracturing with rage. His own life was dispensable, but not Natalia's, not Jonas'. Should Lucius be provoked to detonate the bombs, it would be catastrophic! "You've lost your humanity, Lucius!" Magnus roared with fury.

"Humanity?" Lucius sneered. "You've been stepping on me for years, Magnus. And now, I'm going to enjoy watching your beloved wife and child die right before your eyes."

In a swift, brutal motion, Lucius shoved Magnus aside and yanked Natalia to him. His head descended toward her neck. "No wonder she's got you all twisted up. She smells divine." Caught off guard, Natalia found herself in Lucius' arms.

"Stop it!" shouted Magnus. His fists were clenched, and his body was coiled with tension, but he was wary of making a move that could lead to Natalia getting hurt-or worse, setting off the explosives. Reacting on instinct, Natalia lashed out with a slap that landed squarely across Lucius' face, leaving behind a bright red imprint. The stinging pain enraged Lucius, who swung back and slapped Natalia to the ground. "Bitch! That'll cost you!"

As he aimed his pistol at Natalia, intending to end her life with a single shot, Magnus leaped to intervene, wrestling for control of the weapon. Their struggle shook the decrepit ship, and with the safety already off, a misfire seemed all too possible.

Hector rushed over, helping Natalia to her feet, his concern evident. "Are you alright, Natalia?"

Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, and her cheek swelled into a bruise. She shook her head weakly. "I'll be okay. Hector, please-save Jonas."

"Got it." Hector turned, entrusting Natalia to James with strict instructions to keep her safe, then headed back toward the ship.

Natalia caught the hem of Hector's shirt. "Be careful. There are bombs."

Hector paused, turned back, and kissed her forehead. "Don't worry. I'll bring Jonas back safe and sound."

Meanwhile, Magnus and Lucius were locked in a fierce tussle on the deck. They were evenly matched, and the situation was critical.

"Magnus, I never planned on leaving here alive!" Lucius' face twisted with malice. "This ship is rigged with explosives. Even if I die today, I'll drag you and your family to hell with me!"

Magnus and Lucius grappled for the gun. Fully aware of Lucius' ruthlessness, Magnus spat back with contempt, "We'll see if you've got what it takes. You could've lived out your days in prison, but now, you've lost even that chance."

The word "prison" sent Lucius into a fit of madness as memories of that hell on earth haunted him. He could not bear the thought of it being mentioned. Fueled by fury, Lucius wrenched his arm free and slammed his elbow into Magnus' throat. "Goodbye, Magnus!"

Magnus didn't flinch and gritted his teeth as he took the brutal blow. His sole focus was on wrenching the pistol from Lucius' grip. His body swayed, enduring the piercing pain, and he successfully reclaimed the firearm from Lucius' hand.

"Lucius, you're going to regret stepping out here!" Magnus raised the pistol. His expression was icy as he aimed it at Lucius' head. But the scene he had anticipated, with Lucius begging for mercy, didn't materialize. Instead, Lucius burst into a hysterical, maniacal laugh.

Lucius showed no fear of the gun in Magnus' hand, and, pointing at his own head, he advanced step by step. "Come on, Magnus, pull the trigger if you dare! Hahahahaha! The moment you shoot, I press this remote, and then-boom! The whole ship goes up in flames, and we'll both be taking a one-way trip to hell, hahaha!"