Leaving While Pregnant：He Goes Crazy！
Chapter 409 Don't Hesitate

She did not return to her country with the intention of reconciling with Adrian.

The turn of events had been entirely unforeseen.

She hadn't foreseen Michael's drastic actions, including taking her captive or harming David.

Concerned for David, who had aided her escape, Eva asked, "Where's David?"

Hearing this, the corners of Michael's lips slightly curled upwards. "David? Eva, if you want to know how he is, then come back with me."

Eva's lips pressed into a thin line.

Before she could answer, Adrian's hand on her waist tightened, and he said in a cold voice, "You want to take her away? Don't even think about it."

However, Michael looked at Eva with a smile, "Eva, I don't listen to others, I only listen to you. Tell me, do you want to come back with me? I promise, as long as you come back, David will be safe and sound."

Eva replied, "Are you threatening me? He's your assistant, Michael, not mine."

"Hmm," Michael nodded, "Of course, I know that he's my assistant. But as my assistant, he let my captive escape. Eva, tell me, if such a person is not punished, won't the others working under me think they can do the same?"

Eva realized he was leveraging David to coerce her return.

He was banking on her compassion and fear of causing harm. Now, he had nothing else to use against her, only this one bargaining chip.

But if he wanted to use David to control her, then David had to be safe, or else he would lose this leverage.

Understanding his ploy, Eva responded coldly, "Do you think I'd come back with you just because I'm afraid David would get hurt? If that were the case, I wouldn't have chosen to leave with him in the first place. He's prepared himself mentally, and I won't let down his intentions."

Upon hearing this, Michael remained silent for a while, his lips curving into a slight smile.

"Is that so?" His voice was light, void of emotion. "It seems he's no longer of use to me then."

At that comment, a sense of foreboding sank into Eva's heart.

Logically, he shouldn't be too harsh on his own assistant, but remembering his childhood experiences, and the pale look on David's face a few days ago...

When she got out of the car, she noticed David was sweating profusely, a clear sign he wasn't feeling well.

He had indeed been quite ruthless with David, despite him being his own subordinate.

At this realization, Eva bit her lower lip, her resolve wavering slightly.

"Don't be fooled."

In her moment of hesitation, the hand that had been resting on her waist suddenly gripped her wrist and a voice lowered to speak to her.

Eva abruptly lifted her head to look at him.

"He's laying a trap. The more concern you show, the more you play into his hands."

At these words, Eva bit her lower lip unconsciously and murmured, "I understand I mustn't fall prey to his schemes, but without David's help, we truly wouldn't have stood a chance to escape." Hearing this, Adrian raised an eyebrow. "So David saved me, too?"

Eva looked at him, puzzled. "Your savior?"

"What's yours is also mine."

She was a bit speechless, glancing subconsciously at Ruby and Dylan, who sensibly averted their gazes.

"Don't worry, if David's the man you describe, I'll help him."

"How will you help him?"

Adrian gave her a look. "You don't need to worry about that. Our main priority is your safety. So, don't believe his words, no matter what he says."

Michael, observing their quiet exchange from a distance, clenched his hands into fists without realizing it.

When was she ever so soft-spoken with him?

Jealousy took root in his heart, growing at an astonishing speed into a towering tree as if fueled by some magical nourishment.

His subordinate, noticing this scene, had a glint in his eye.

"Mr. Cooper, you've refrained from acting rashly because you fear harming Ms. Hansen and her children, am I right? But in reality, neither our side nor theirs wants to hurt Ms. Hansen. So even if things escalate, the three of them should remain unharmed. However, if we don't take action, we're either stuck at an impasse, or we just watch as they take Ms. Hansen and her children away."

Michael remained silent, apparently in turmoil.

Seeing his resolve wavering, the henchman fanned the flames.

"Mr. Cooper, if you let them take Ms. Hansen away, will you ever have another chance to have her back? The critical point is, this is our only shot, the last chance. If we don't seize it, there may never be a 'next time'."

The words 'the last chance' reminded Michael of the importance of the situation.

He quietly observed Eva, led by the hand by Adrian, his lips almost pressed into a straight line.

Indeed, this could be the last opportunity.

If Adrian took her away, would he ever have another chance?

"Mr. Cooper, we're all gathered here. With just one word from you, I'd be willing to risk my life to bring Ms. Hansen and her children back."

To take them back...

"Mr. Cooper, with so many of us here, we are sure to succeed. Don't hesitate any longer."

With Adrian's hand clasped in hers, Michael's gaze remained fixed on their intertwined fingers. His mind wandered to the thought, "What if it were me standing beside her now? Would she consent to hold my hand if I wished to?" Throughout all the time he had spent by her side, he had never once held her hand tightly or kissed her even fleetingly. Occasionally, when she was unguarded, he would steal a chance to hold her softly. But he never dared more than these fleeting moments of closeness.

Yet, those delicate hands, with their fine skin and distinct joints, must have felt wonderful to hold.

Would she be as compliant in letting him lead her by the hand as she was with Adrian? No, she would resist, surely. Then she would furrow her brows and stare at him, eventually withdrawing her hand.

Five years had gone by. In all this time, he hadn't warmed her heart, nor had she developed even the slightest affection for him.

So, Michael could already envisage, if he tried to hold her hand, her displeasure would be undeniable. Just thinking about it brought an ache to his heart, as if a rusty knife was being twisted slowly through his chest, refusing to deliver a swift end to the pain.

Meanwhile, fueled by jealousy and urged by those around him to take action, Michael's gaze darkened with complexity, light fading from his eyes. The calm before the storm was coming to an end.

Gazing upon the slight figure and the two adorable children, Michael finally spoke, "Proceed, but don't harm them. If they are injured, don't you dare show your face around me again."