My Substitute CEO Bride (Nash Calicraft) novel Chapter 2362

"Did anyone follow you?" Astin asked.

Warick nodded once.

Astin's lips curled into a smile. "Good, come in."

Once inside, Astin asked, "How many?"

"Just one."

Astin's earlier question was a way to confirm whether the killer had followed Warick inside. They had previously agreed on a signal—one nod meant someone was following, while two nods meant no one was around. Astin's mockery of the culprit had worked.

Astin continued, "If all goes well, we can reveal the truth today."

Warick nodded in agreement. "How do you think he'll come for us?"

"I'm not sure—"

Before Astin could finish, a shadow appeared at the window. The assassin had come.

The two quickly tried to dodge as the assassin smashed through the window, entering the room with alarming speed. They hurried to escape through the door, but to their shock, the door was already secured with thin, nearly invisible threads, preventing any chance of escape.

"Damn it! When did this happen?" Astin was alarmed. It was clear he had underestimated the martial artist's strength. Despite checking into the hotel the previous night, he had been outmaneuvered from right under his feet.

The masked assailant launched a powerful kick, which Warick blocked with both arms. The reason Astin had insisted on Warick staying close was purely for protection. However, they both knew that if they were up against a high-level martial artist, resistance might be futile.

Meanwhile, Astin grabbed a vase from nearby, raising it to strike the masked man. However, the assailant used his threads to control Astin, crushing the vase into pieces. Holding a shard, the masked man slowly approached Astin, whose eyes widened in fear.

The image of Astin's father appeared in his mind. "Kid, are you going to abandon them or let them abandon you?!"

Astin did not answer his father back then, but at this moment of utter desperation, he made his choice.

"Of course, I'll abandon them! I'm the one who makes the choices!"

With that, Astin threw a punch at the masked man. The masked man tried to control him with the threads, but he could not restrain Astin, who landed a powerful blow right to his face.

At that moment, Astin awakened his true energy.