Chapter 103 Racing Against Time

• The tension in the room grew thicker than the fog outside, as the two men stood there, locked in a silent battle of wills, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Aurora's breaths grew shallower, her eyes fading as the pressure on her throat increased.
• And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the sound of gunfire erupted through the air. One of Lucas's guards burst through the door, his weapon smoking, his eyes wide with panic. He aimed directly at Damian, but before he could fire, the gun jerked in his hand, and two bullets flew through the air, one landing itself on the floor and the other lodging itself in Aurora's shoulder.
• Her scream echoed through the ballroom, the pain searing through her body like a white hot knife. Blood spurted from the wound, painting the floor with her own blood. Damian's eyes went wide with horror, and his hand moved with speed to aim the gun at the guard, firing without hesitation. The guard's body jerked, and he crumpled to the ground, lifeless.