The Heiress Revived from the Ashes (Lauren Bennett) novel Chapter 317

Chapter 317 No Regrets

Those people broke the law,” one officer called out sternly. “They’ll be punished by the justice system. That’s not a reason for you to take their lives. Let the hostage go and turn yourself in. It’s not too late for leniency

Mia sneered. “Easy for you to say. It didn’t happen to you. You have no idea how much it hurts. I don’t care about leniency. All I wanted was to make the people who hurt Lauren–and her daughter–pay.”

“Don’t throw your life away,” the officer said firmly. “You’ve gone too far already?”

But Mia ignored him.

She turned to the child and said gently, “Sweetheart, do you see that man in the black suit? I want you to go to him.”

“No!” i tle girl sobbed, clinging to Mia’s leg even tighter. Her whole body shook with fear.

Mia’s heart twisted. But she had to push the child away. If things escalated, she didn’t want her anywhere near the danger.

So she hardened her expression and snapped, “Are you being disobedient? If you don’t do what I say, I won’t like you

anymore.”

“Madam…” the child looked up at her through tear–filled eyes.

But Mia didn’t budge.

Terrified by the change in her, the girl slowly let go, dragging her feet toward Josh, sniffling with every step.

Mia looked at Josh, her eyes filled with a silent plea. “Josh… please. For everything we once had–take care of her.”

Josh swallowed hard, his throat tight. “I promise, Mia. I’ll look after her. But you still have a chance. Turn yourself in.”

Mia gave him a bitter smile. “Some things… once done, there’s no way back.”

She took a deep breath. The wind tugged at her hair as she stood still in the middle of the chaos, her expression resolute. Life or death no longer mattered.

Then, without warning, she raised the knife. The blade glinted cold under the sun.

For a split second, time froze. Everyone held their breath.

Mia moved, aiming the knife straight for the man’s throat.

But a gunshot rang out–sharp, deafening.

Bang

A single bullet pierced the air–and struck Mia right between the eyes.

Blood burst from her forehead, painting her pale face a vivid red

“No-!” Josh screamed, his voice tearing through the silence.

He froze, eyes wide in shock, staring at Mia’s body as though the world had stopped spinning-

Time seemed to halt. The crowd went still.

Mia felt the heat of the bullet tearing through her skull. Her vision blurred, everything soaked in red. Shapes twisted, lights

flickered.

She was still

standing, barely, sheer willpower keeping her upright.

With her final ounce of strength, she plunged the knife into the man’s neck.

Chapter 317 No Regrets

That’s what real punishment looks like.

With that thought, Mia’s body collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.

Above her, the sky was still blue–but to her fading eyes, it looked as red as blood, darkening into black.

The sound of screaming and shouting faded into silence.