Chapter 7 Elsa

• "Are you deaf? Didn't you hear what I said? The Tiger Clan doesn't waste time with threats. Do you really think I won't kill someone?"
• Tony, now fully identifying as a member of the Tiger Clan, was furious that the police were ignoring his demands. He pressed the knife harder against Thea's neck, looking more dangerous by the second.
• "Everyone, lower your guns."
• The police captain, a young woman named Elsa Whittingham, exuded a strong presence. She was strikingly beautiful yet carried an air of authority. Understanding the gravity of the situation, she didn't want to provoke Tony further and risk the hostage's safety, so she ordered her officers to stand down.
• She then approached Dianne and Elliot, helping them to their feet. "You're the hostage's family, right? I understand your anxiety, but please give us some time. I promise we will rescue her safely."
• "Now, I need you to move back to reduce the pressure on the hostage-taker and keep the situation from escalating."
• Elsa also turned to the crowd, which was growing larger and louder. "Everyone, step back! The situation is already chaotic enough!"
• Her commanding tone made the onlookers instinctively retreat, giving the police space to work. However, Nelson didn't back away. Instead, he moved steadily toward Thea, making himself very noticeable.
• "What are you doing? Didn't I tell you to move back? Do you want the kidnapper to get more agitated and hurt the hostage?" Elsa quickly stepped in front of Nelson, her eyes flashing with anger.
• "Madam, he's my son!" Elliot explained urgently.
• "Nelson! You ... you're back."
• Dianne, now seeing Nelson, showed a mix of joy and relief, tears welling up in her eyes.
• "Nelson, is it really you?" Thea, still in Tony's grip, looked at her brother with disbelief. Tears streamed down her face, momentarily forgetting her fear in her overwhelming happiness. The siblings had always been close, and she had feared she might never see him again.
• "You're also a family member?" Elsa's tone softened slightly but she still tried to stop him. "I understand how you feel, but acting recklessly will only make things worse. You'll anger the kidnapper and put the hostage in more danger."
• "I need you to be rational and step back like everyone else. Let the police handle this."
• Nelson ignored Elsa and continued walking toward Thea. He thought if the police were competent, Thea wouldn't still be in danger.
• Stopping a few meters from Tony, Nelson locked eyes with Thea, a mix of guilt and determination in his gaze. "Thea, don't be scared. I'm back, and I swear I won't let anyone hurt us again!"
• Then he turned his icy stare to Tony. "I'm giving you one chance to let her go. If you don't, I promise you'll regret it."
• Tony laughed at Nelson's threat, full of disdain. "Who do you think you are? Do you know who I am? I'm with the Tiger Clan!"
• "If you want me to let her go, kneel and bark like a dog. Maybe if I'm in a good mood, I'll consider it."
• "You're asking for it!"
• In an instant, Nelson sprang into action, a silver needle flashing in his hand, flying toward Tony at breakneck speed.
• "What are you doing? Do you want to get your sister killed?" Elsa shouted, furious, as she tried to catch up to Nelson.
• But it was likely too late to stop him. She regretted not having restrained him earlier. Even experienced officers wouldn't attempt such a risky move. How could Nelson be so reckless? Did he want to get his sister killed?
• "You really think I won't kill someone? We in the Tiger Clan aren't afraid of anything!"
• Seeing Nelson dare to make a move, Tony snapped. He instinctively started to slash Thea's throat with the knife.
• But before he could act, a silver needle pierced his body, striking his spine. Tony's body convulsed as if electrocuted, then went limp and collapsed, completely paralyzed.
• To the onlookers, it seemed like Nelson had tackled Tony to the ground. But Nelson knew he had severed Tony's spinal cord, ensuring he'd be bedridden for the rest of his life—a fitting punishment for threatening his family.
• Nelson stood up, relieved to see Thea unharmed. He was about to give her a comforting hug when Elsa rushed over.
• Nelson's instincts from his military training kicked in, alerting him to Elsa's approach. He considered countering but decided against it, knowing that attacking a police officer would only complicate things further.
• Elsa, showing no mercy, grabbed Nelson's arm, twisted it behind his back, and slammed him to the ground, his face making rough contact with the pavement.
• "Nelson!" Thea cried out, trying to push Elsa away. "Let him go!"
• Elsa, seeing Thea unharmed and Tony incapacitated, was stunned. This reckless man had actually subdued the hostage-taker, a feat even the police had struggled with.
• The crowd, equally astonished, murmured in disbelief. Nelson had resolved the crisis without the police even stepping in.
• "Tigress, can you be gentler? Let me go already!" Nelson snapped, glaring at Elsa from the ground.
• Elsa was about to release him, but the nickname "tigress" enraged her further. She pressed him harder into the ground before finally letting him up.
• "Why did you have to play hero? If the kidnapper had meant to harm your sister, you could've gotten her killed!" Elsa scolded, hands on her hips.
• She assumed Tony had been bluffing and that his hesitation had allowed Nelson to succeed. She couldn't fathom how else Nelson had managed to rescue Thea unscathed.
• "Captain, the suspect is conscious but completely paralyzed. He can't move or speak, and there's no sign of injury," reported one of the officers after examining Tony.
• Elsa turned a suspicious gaze to Nelson. She doubted he was responsible but couldn't shake the feeling something was off.
• "What are you looking at me for? Maybe he had a stroke. You should be giving me a medal for bravery, not thinking of arresting me," Nelson said nonchalantly.
• He thought Tony deserved what he got. Leaving him alive was already generous, but he kept the details hidden to avoid unnecessary trouble.
• "Don't push your luck. Be glad we're not arresting you," Elsa retorted, glaring at him.
• Ignoring her, Nelson noticed Bob still bleeding out from his stab wound. Given Bob's bravery in defending Dianne and Thea, Nelson couldn't let him die. He quickly checked Bob's vitals, finding him alive but weak from blood loss. Immediate treatment was crucial.
• As Nelson retrieved the gold needles Don had given him, Elsa's angry voice rang out again. "What do you think you're doing? Stop right there!"
• The sudden shout nearly made Nelson drop the needle.