“I’m standing right here. What more do you want? If it’s the money, just take it and leave.”

The man was stunned. He never expected Madeline to not fear him at all.

He admired Madeline’s courage, but her behavior made him feel undermined and it only enraged him. “You must really think that I’m a pushover, don’t you? I’m going to make you regret this!”

He tightened the hold on the blade and moved to stab Eloise.

Thanks to Madeline’s quick reflexes, she caught the man’s wrist.

“Don’t hurt my mom!” Anger crept up her gentle features.

The man was stunned for two seconds before he pulled himself out of Madeline’s grip and raised his foot to kick Eloise.

Still unconscious, Eloise fell to the ground with her head knocking heavily onto the floorboards.

“Mom!”

Madeline ran toward her nervously and saw Eloise frowning as if she was deep in pain. Madeline reached out to hold Eloise.

She had just reached her mother’s side when Madeline felt a dull pain on the back of her neck.