Chapter 265

Jasper, that sly old fox. Not only did he hide the back door of the Moonlit Lounge, but he didn't even use it to make his escape.

Beside the back door was a narrow, winding passage, just big enough for one person to crawl through on their hands and knees. Jasper had dug this escape route himself, and it led to a bungalow across the street.

As Jasper crawled through the passage, he could hear intense gunfire above him. He wasn't worried about being discovered; the entrance to his secret tunnel was expertly concealed.

"As long as I get out of here, I can live a happy life! Whether John dies or not, that's none of my business. But his uncle must be nuts, shooting his own nephew. Lucky for me, my brother's too dumb to try and take me out while I was running the family!" Jasper muttered to himself as he crawled, finally reaching the end.

With great effort, Jasper pushed open the hidden floor tile at the endpoint.

When he poked his head out, he expected to see an empty room. Instead, he found himself face-to-face with two very familiar people.

"What the hell? You two? What are you doing here?" Jasper stared at Isabella and Michael in shock.

Michael and Isabella were just as surprised. They were about to leave, completely unaware that fate had planned this unexpected meeting.

Jasper's eyes flicked to Michael's gun, his heart racing as he prepared to bolt before Michael could react.

But Jasper misjudged Michael's speed. Michael swiftly aimed the gun right at Jasper's head.

"Mr. Taylor, why don't you crawl out of there now?" Michael said, his gun steady and a faint smile playing on his lips.

Jasper grimaced, feeling like luck had completely abandoned him.

Covered in dust, Jasper crawled out of the passage. He brushed himself off, looked at Isabella, and asked, "Sweetheart, are you really gonna let this guy keep a gun on your old man?"

Isabella's face remained calm. "Considering how slippery you are, Dad, I feel a lot safer with him pointing that gun at you."

Jasper shrugged. "So, darling, are you planning to turn me over to the cops, or are you gonna help your dear old dad skip town?"

Isabella's response was cool and calculated. "Dad, what I want is for you to transfer the company's shares to me and tell me where you stashed the embezzled money."

Jasper shook his head. "No way. Why don't you just call the cops and have me arrested? I've already signed a contract with John, so you won't get a dime."

Isabella's brow furrowed deeply at the mention of the contract.

Michael picked up his phone, a barely-there smile playing on his lips. "Mr. Taylor, we can let you go, but we need you to help us record a video first."

Jasper raised an eyebrow, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Oh, why didn't I think of that? If I sign another contract transferring the shares to you, then the two conflicting contracts won't hold up in court. So, is this your condition for letting me go?"

Michael's smile widened. "That depends on whether you're willing to be reasonable. We're not offering more money, but I'm sure John's already gave you a hefty sum, so our money shouldn't matter much to you, right?"

Jasper shrugged nonchalantly. "Alright, my dear daughter. Since I'm your father, I won't ask for payment. Just give me my freedom. Let's not drag this out. Let's record the video and get it over with. I'm ready to start my new life."

Isabella clenched her fists, feeling a wave of disgust at Jasper's shamelessness.

Michael started recording the video.

Jasper, facing the phone camera, smiled with practiced ease. "Hello everyone, I'm Jasper, and I voluntarily transfer all the shares of my companies to my daughter Isabella! It's 3:40 in the morning! This video is true and valid! I am willing to take legal responsibility for everything I say! Are we done?"

As soon as Jasper finished speaking, Michael stopped recording.

"Thanks for your cooperation, Mr. Taylor. You can go now," Michael said, gently pulling Isabella aside to make way for Jasper.

Jasper walked to the door and waved at Isabella and Michael. "My dear daughter and son-in-law, I'll send you postcards once I settle abroad! And don't bother trying to track me down through the return address, 'cause I might be traveling all over the world by then."

Jasper chuckled as he walked out the door, while Isabella stomped her foot in frustration behind him.

"I can't believe my dad's become such a shameless jerk! I swear, I want to send him straight to God." Just as Isabella's words hung in the air, a gunshot echoed from outside the door.

Jasper, who had just stepped out, suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest. He looked down in horror at the blood spreading across his shirt, his eyes wide with disbelief.

With a strangled cry, Jasper collapsed to the ground.

Isabella was startled, and Michael quickly pulled her to the wall, keeping a watchful eye outside.

Isabella's body trembled, facing death once again after her experience in the operating room.

"Save me, Isabella, I don't want to die yet," Jasper pleaded, reaching out his hand to Isabella with desperate eyes.

As Isabella gazed into Jasper's imploring eyes, a memory stirred within her; she suddenly remembered the scene of Jasper, long ago, pushing her on a swing, her laughter mingling with the rustling leaves.

In that fleeting moment, Isabella hesitated.

Michael furrowed his brows, itching to just shoot this bastard Jasper.

"Hold up, don't rush it. The shooting's stopped-likely a stray bullet. Your dad's injured but alive. You're not a doctor; moving him could kill him." Michael's words made Isabella hesitate.

Jasper closed his eyes, bracing for the end.

But then, the piercing sound of police sirens filled the air, and red and blue lights lit up the night sky.

"Thank God, the cops are here!" Isabella exclaimed, relief washing over her.

Jasper's eyes snapped open, a flicker of hope returning.

Meanwhile, John had made it back to his winery. Bianca was waiting at the door for him.

"My love, you're finally back! Wait, why do you smell so awful?" Bianca, who had been about to hug John, covered her nose and stepped back.

John just grinned and pulled out two contracts. "Sweetheart, that's not important. Jasper signed the contracts, and now those three companies are yours."

"Really? That's incredible! Wait, what's this?" Bianca's excitement turned to confusion as she looked at the papers.

John's eyes widened in shock. The contracts were covered not in signatures, but in childish drawings of Mickey Mouse and SpongeBob. He tore the papers in a fit of rage, roaring, "Mike, you bastard!"