Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion
Paul grunted and went over. He knew how Stephanie could be. She’d drive over herself if he didn’t let her come. So he might as well have her close by to watch out for her.
The two swiftly made it to the hotel, where Randy was screaming at Danika.
“You’re right! I have nothing I want from any single one of you whatsoever. I’m just here to drag all of you down to hell with me!” he yelled, the detonator in his hand particularly eye-catching as he flung his arms around.
The audience’s hearts were in their throats, stepping back to avoid being in the blast zone, regardless of where else Randy had planted bombs.
Danika stayed calm, however. She could easily overpower Randy, but she was worried she couldn’t retrieve the detonator in time and send everyone to their deaths. Just as she deliberated on what to do, a red dot suddenly appeared on Randy’s shoulder before swiftly disappearing.
I’m Not the One with the Bombs
A sniper. Probably from the police force.
But their shot wouldn’t hit a vital spot, which meant Randy still might be able to trigger the detonator.
Danika decided to try and get Randy to move into the sniper’s target.
“I know you just want your family to go back to how they used to be. I can make that happen,” Danika said.
Randy narrowed his eyes at her. “How?”
“I can return all the properties that belonged to you. I’m sure all the witnesses here can hold me accountable.”
“We’ll do the same,” James spoke up. Nothing was more important than Danika’s safety.
Randy seemed to believe them for a split second before quickly scoffing.” What use would that be? Just because you’ll return me to my former glory doesn’t mean you won’t also come after me later.”
He knew there was no way things could ever go back to how they used to be, not with the police probably already gathered outside to take him in.
“But imagine the good it’d do for the rest of your family,” Danika said.
It didn’t look like Randy was directed to do this tonight, so he’d likely be the only one in his family to be convicted for his crimes. The rest of the Glasses would still be able to enjoy their wealth and influence.
Sure enough, Randy grew silent with thought.
Danika’s proposal made sense. The sacrifice of one for the good of many… he was willing to do that.
“Will you really do it?” Randy asked hesitantly.
James huffed. ‘You really think we can go back on our word with everyone here watching.’
Randy glanced at the crowd, feeling more confident as he saw how many witnesses there were. ‘I want you to write a guarantee.”
Danika pursed her lips. It’s not like the Glasses could enforce it afterward. They barely had the influence to do so anymore.
Still, she kept her mouth shut. No need to upset Randy further now that he was about to give up on his plan to blow up everyone.
Graham had someone bring over pen and paper, writing down a guarantee before everyone’s eyes, then signing it together with James. He then walked over to Randy with the paper in hand.
Just as he walked past Eustace, the man stopped him. “Let me hand it to him, sir.”
Graham shot him a look, but Eustace swiftly took the papers and went up to Randy.
For some reason, Randy seemed scared of him. Don’t…don’t come any further. Stay where you are.”
“What are you afraid of? I’m not the one with the bombs.” Eustace stayed put, however.
“I’m warning you. Don’t you dare play any tricks, or I’ll send us both to hell right now!” Randy warned, tugging at Danika’s arm. He knew how dear Danika was to Eustace, so holding her hostage would ensure Eustace didn’t try to attack him.
Turn of Events
Eustace huffed a laugh, then raised his palms in the air to indicate he wasn’t going to do anything. He then slowly walked over to Randy and handed him the guarantee.
Just as everyone thought the danger would pass, a voice came from the crowd. “He isn’t actually going to believe them, is he? I mean, who here would even stand with the Glasses to enforce the guarantee? Is he that naive?”
Randy immediately dragged Danika back upon hearing it, his expression shifting drastically.
“Naive? Haha…hahaha!” He cackled hysterically. Though the guarantee had been a shifty idea, he had still held out hope. He hadn’t wanted to commit suicide that night, either.
But it was too late now.
“Let’s all fucking die then, shall we?!” Randy roared, pressing the detonator.
Before he could, Danika swiftly wrestled out of his grip and reached for the device.
“Get out of the way!” she cried, diving for it.
Someone reached out at the very last second, then came the loud sound of bones breaking.
“Fuck!” Randy yelped out in pain, his voice echoing throughout the entire hall. But no one paid him any mind. They were only focused on where the remote control was.
Seeing it was now out of his hands, the crowd heaved a sigh of relief, hugging one another and crying tears of joy.
Danika looked at Eustace, grumbling, “Why did you step in? You could’ve gotten hurt by the blast radius.”
“Look who’s talking.” If Eustace hadn’t stepped in earlier, Danika would’ve missed the device by seconds too. Who knows what would’ve happened to any of them?
Danika pouted. ‘I cant exactly run away. This is my event.”
The family would become the city’s laughingstock if she’d run.
“Not even the Zellwegers are worth sacrificing your own,” Eustace said, annoyed. Nothing was more important to him than Danika. Naturally, he hadn’t been very happy with her decision to linger because of her family. Still, he didn’t have the right to comment on that.
Danika was about to argue further when Graham and Evan came up to her, so she settled for a gentle, “Thank you.”
Eustace smiled, immediately loosening up.
“Are you okay, Danika?” Evan asked worriedly.
He would’ve run up to save Danika if Eustace didn’t interfere. He just didn’t have the chance earlier.
Danika nodded. “Yeah. Just keep the guests safe for the time being. Have them wait for the police to disarm the bombs before leaving.”
Randy, meanwhile, had been subdued by a few policemen. He stared blankly at his surroundings as if unsure of what was happening.
Danika ignored him. The police would deal with him as they saw fit.
There were the dead guests to tend to, for now.
Who Asked You?
After removing the bombs from Randy’s body, the bomb squad disarmed another one by the hall entrance before announcing they were done. Only then did they realize that Randy had never planned to kill anyone, just intimidate them. They could’ve left at any time they wanted from any other entrance in the hall.
Those pissed at being messed with took their chance to go up to Randy to slap and kick at him with all their might.
As the guests left, Danika recalled what was spoken when Randy was about to seize the guarantee. No one else had noticed, but Danika had immediately recognized who had spoken-Yvonne Dickman.
She turned to find the woman, who immediately hid behind Brandon under her searing glare.
Brandon wasn’t looking too good at the moment, either. He had heard Yvonne speak during that tense moment, thus incurring Danika’s wrath.
With a sneer, Danika warned, “You better be careful, Mr. Britt. The rose you adore so much might bleed you with her thorns.”
Brandon stiffened but said nothing.
“I…I didn’t mean to.” Came Yvonne’s sheepish voice as she glanced innocently at Danika, then at Brandon.
“Really?” Danika cocked a brow. “And who asked you?”
Whether Yvonne meant to do it on purpose or not, Danika would do something to her soon if Brandon didn’t first.
Yvonne wanted to speak up again, but Brandon had already dragged her out before she could.
Once all the guests left, Danika sighed with relief that nothing more disastrous had taken place.
“Let’s go home, Dad. I think we all need a break.” She went to Graham, exhausted. Graham nodded, tired too. He was mostly recovering from being terrified that his family would end at the hands of Randy Glass.
When they were about to leave, Stephanie ran up to Danika while Paul was already in the middle of a conversation with Eustace.
“Are you alright, Danika?” She had wanted to run inside since they arrived, but Paul hadn’t let her, telling her Danika would be out any minute. Who knows how long
Stephanie had waited outside, praying for her safety?
Danika nodded, surprised to see her there. “Didn’t you go back earlier? What’re you doing here?”
“I came back because I was worried about you, silly.”
Danika smiled. “Everything’s alright. I’m fine too. Come on. I’ll send you home.”
“Okay.” Stephanie was glad to see her friend safe. She didn’t want to stay a second longer, largely to stay away from Paul.
Just then, Paul said, “I’ll send you back.”
Seeing him come up to her, Stephanie shook her head, stepping back. “No, no, thank you. I can go home by myself.”
“I’ll have someone bring her home safe, Paul,” Danika said. No way would she let Stephanie get close to Paul when her friend was reluctant.
Paul ignored her. “Do you know how much danger you’re in right now, Danika Zellweger? Do you have any idea how many people are spying on you right this second?” Before Danika could retort, Paul continued, “If they can’t hurt you, they’ll shift their target to those around you, including Stephanie. I can’t let you have her sent home by just anyone. What if something happens to her?”
