Holden remained cautious, keeping a keen eye on Bennett.

Eventually, Bennett's laughter subsided, and his expression turned cold.

"I'm not like you, Holden. I don't actually like Ariana. I just find this whole situation amusing," Bennett said, glancing past Holden towards the car. "There's nothing more entertaining than tearing apart a couple in love! The sound of their tears when they can't be together? It's like music to my ears!"

Holden couldn't help but think Bennett was crazy.

He had assumed Bennett had a thing for Ariana, but as it turned out, Bennett was just reveling in their misery.

Bennett was even worse than he had imagined!

But Holden kept his cool. "This is just a twisted game to you. We won't play along."

"You don't get to call the shots here!" Bennett sneered. "Zayden's already signed Ariana's fate to me. She's mine now, and everything she has belongs to me. I decide when this game ends."

He paused, his menacing demeanor softening a tad. "But hey, since you've made the journey to Conata, I guess I can show a bit of hospitality. How about this? Hand over Ariana, and you are free to go."

Holden couldn't help but chuckle. "You think I journeyed all this way here just to hand her over to you? I'm here to make sure Ariana gets back to Eleymond safe and sound. She's my wife. Have you ever heard of a husband who tosses his wife to another man? Not happening! Every husband will protect his wife at all costs."

After saying that, Holden's face darkened. He didn't care about confronting Bennett. If it meant getting Ariana out of here, he was even willing to die.

“Too bad for you. My crew would toss their wives to me without a second thought if I told them to," Bennett retorted.

“That just proves your people are spineless. You are, too. Why else would you need to snatch someone else's woman?" Holden countered.

The tension thickened, with neither man willing to back down.

Bennett, already simmering with fury, bristled at Holden's words. His gaze turned lethal. "You really think you'll waltz out of here unscathed? I don't give a damn about your power in Eleymond. This is Conata, and I doubt you can defeat me here. Otherwise, Zayden wouldn't need to cooperate with me."

“I know I can't." Holden grinned faintly. “That's why I'm not going anywhere!"

At that moment, the car behind him roared to life. Seizing the opportunity, the driver sped off with Ariana still unconscious inside.

Simultaneously, Holden took out his gun, aiming it at Bennett's forehead, blocking his path. “If you dare to send your men after the car, I'll shoot you."

Bennett's heart sank like a stone as he watched Ariana's car vanish into the distance, his face turning dark with rage. He glared at Holden. “Holden, just remember who's calling the shots around here! You think letting her go means she's free? Without my permission, no one is allowed to leave here! She'll still be stuck in this estate!"

Holden replied with a slight smirk, visibly more at ease now that Ariana was safe. “I know that," he said, his voice dripping with confidence. "I acknowledge that this is your territory. Otherwise, I wouldn't have chosen today to make my move."