?<strong>Chapter 1131:</strong>


    “Darwin? He was here?”


    The next second, realization dawned on her; next to her, Darwin was probably the person Rhys despised the most. This entire ordeal had started because of Darwin.


    Darwin’s expression darkened immediately when he saw Belinda bound to the stone pir, her arm marked by cuts.


    “Rhys! I told you not to harm her!” he snapped.


    He red at Rhys, his voice seething with anger.


    Rhys chuckled derisively and said, “Oh? Did I hurt your darling? Are you upset?”


    Darwin’s frown deepened. “Ms. Wright and I are just friends!”


    He paused for a moment, then added firmly, “Now that I’m here, let her go.”


    Rhysughed scornfully. “Let her go? You think I will do that? Darwin, let me tell you—you will both die today!”


    His expression was twisted as he clenched his jaw.


    While Rhys focused on Darwin, Belinda scanned the area. They were on the second floor of an unfinished building, and directly behind the pir she was tied to was the edge of the floor, about two meters from the ground below. She attempted to move, but the ropes were too tight.


    As Belinda weighed her options, Rhys approached her again, knife in hand. When Belinda noticed this, her breath hitched in fear.


    “Rhys, stop!” Darwin’s eyes widened in horror, his face contorted with urgency. Rhys pointed the knife directly at Belinda’s face and said to Darwin, “Kneel!”


    The order caused both Belinda’s and Darwin’s expressions to shift dramatically. Rhys continued, “I’ll count to three. If you don’t kneel, this knife will sh across Belinda’s face!”


    “Three… two…”


    “I’ll kneel!” Darwin interrupted, his voice loud and decisive.


    Slowly, he bent his knees and knelt with a resonant thud.


    Belinda’s eyes widened in disbelief. She hadn’t anticipated that Darwin would actually…


    Rhys’ughter filled the air, loud and triumphant, as he looked at Darwin on his knees. Hisughter then ceased abruptly, and his gaze on Darwin turned icy.


    He said to Darwin through clenched teeth, “And you im you don’t have feelings for Belinda? If you felt nothing for her, why rush here today? Why kneel for her?”


    Rhys, knowing the nuances of such nces himself, could clearly discern the emotion in Darwin’s eyes when he looked at Belinda. When Belinda heard Rhys’s words, her expression tightened into a frown. Darwin had feelings for her? That was impossible!


    Darwin remained calm, meeting Rhys’ gaze with icy resolve. “I’ve told you already, Ms. Wright and I are merely friends! I came here to save her because all of this happened because of me. I’ve already involved Ms. Wright enough. I don’t want to further entangle her in this. Rhys, release her, and I’ll let you do whatever you want to me.”


    Rhys scoffed. He didn’t believe a word Darwin said. With a sneer, he pulled an object from his belt and tossed it. The objectnded beside Darwin; it was a knife.


    “Now,” Rhysmanded, “take this knife and stab yourself.” Belinda’s expression transformed with horror. “No! Darwin, don’t—” Before she could finish, Rhys shed her arm again.


    The sharp pain nched Belinda’s face.


    “Stop it, Rhys!” Darwin roared, his eyes zing with anger.


    Rhys shot a cold nce at Belinda and said, “Silence, Belinda! Make another sound, and next time, it won’t just be your arm. Don’t test me.”


    .


    .


    .