The man's eyes were fierce as he snarled, "Everyone will die with me. I don't care about the consequences!"
"I know you don't care about the consequences, but what about your wife and daughter? Did you ever consider what might happen to them?" Joanna asked him calmly.
"Didn't you hear me?! They're dead, so I want all of you to die with them!" The man shouted at her.
"Heh! You're too naive. Death is not the end…" Joanna shook her head, smiling as she approached him slowly.
Everyone there was shocked to see her approach him. The man's body was covered with bombs, so going closer would only mean courting death!
Ace clenched his fists so tightly they turned white. He desperately wanted to carry the fearless Joanna away, but he was afraid of agitating the madman in front of them. His handsome face turned frighteningly cold.
However, Joanna appeared very relaxed as she slowly approached the man, talking to him as if they had been friends for many years." People go to hell after they pass away, and they'll need to go through a cycle to make up for their past sins. Those who are sinful can't be reborn forever, and will have to endure endless torture…"
"You're aware that this girl is from a wealthy family, and has a very good life and fate, but you're trying to hurt her for your wife and daughter's sake. So, basically, you're just adding more sins to their name. They might be reborn into a better life, but they'll never be free because of you. Do you think that's what they want?"
Some of the people there felt that Joanna's mysterious words were nothing but old–fashioned superstitions, but the man seemed to be affected by her words. His lips trembled as he whimpered, "But what can I do? My wife and daughter are dead because of those selfish people, and I couldn't even find their bodies to give them a burial. Do you want me to do nothing about it and let their deaths go just like that? I'm not that merciful. In the end, good people only suffer while bad people live comfortably. If that's the case. I don't want to be a good man anymore!"
Joanna replied, "I didn't ask you to be a good man, but you should never involve innocent people in your disputes. Instead, fight the law and sue those who caused your wife and daughter's death. You can't resolve anything by killing innocent people!"
The man shook his head in despair and chuckled bitterly, "Hah! If the law was useful, my wife and daughter wouldn't have been killed. Stop trying to change my mind. If they can't be reborn, then my family can be with me forever…"
When Joanna noticed that he had become agitated again, she knew that she could not dissuade him. "Alright, but just know that this girl's life is special so you can't harm her. Why don't you take me instead? I've been researching philosophy and beliefs for many years, so I know a bit about the underworld. I can even lead the way for you and your family later…"
Her statement made him waver, and he eventually said to Joanna firmly, "Fine. Come to me with your hands behind your back."
"Okay!" She nodded obediently. This was her original plan. If she could not change his mind, she would become the hostage instead. After all, she could react faster than Jane, so Jane would survive.
Suddenly, Ace roared, "Stop!" His eyes were blazing as he growled, "Joanna, don't be stupid. Get back here!"
However, she ignored him and successfully exchanged her position with Jane's. She was now the hostage, and the man was holding a knife to her neck.
Meanwhile, a news station had made their way to the place, and everything was being broadcasted on TV. Everyone watching was moved by Joanna's selfless sacrifice.
Ace strode towards the man, his body tense. He glared at the man and threatened him menacingly. "I'll count to three. Let her go now, or your head will be blown off!"
He had communicated with the snipers outside through subtle hand gestures earlier, and they were prepared to fire on his command. However, he had been thrown off by Joanna's actions, and his mind just shut down. Thoughts of the crazy man losing control and slashing Joanna's neck flooded his mind, and he couldn't think rationally.
Only now did Ace realize how much he cared about Joanna; he could not bear to see her harmed.
"Hah! You want to shoot me? Why don't I cut your woman's head off first?!" The man sounded hysterical and was about to slash Joanna's neck.
However, Joanna was much faster. She lifted her hand and forcefully hit the man's chest. The man doubled over in pain and stumbled back, and Joanna managed to free herself.
Everyone couldn't believe what they'd just seen.
"How dare you? This is your fault, girl! Now, you'll all die!" The man screamed and yanked the bomb's safety string.
Everybody screamed in fear.
"Watch out!"
Joanna was pulled aside, and was soon buried in a warm chest. Confused, she looked up and found herself in Ace's strong arms. It was strangely comforting, like an impenetrable wall against the dangers outside. It felt like they were in an apocalypse drama. The two of them had never been so close to each other before!
However, the explosion they expected never happened.
A white puff of smoke appeared, signaling that the bomb had failed to explode.
"W–What's going on? Why didn't it explode?" The man looked at the bomb strapped to his waist in confusion. The people around him looked at each other, equally perplexed.
Joanna calmly pulled away from Ace and looked at the man with a victorious smile on her face. "Your bomb was well–designed, but the safety string wasn't firm enough. When you caught me earlier, I only needed to gently touch it to remove it. The gunpowder already leaked through the gap, so of course it didn't explode!"
"H–How do you know how to defuse a bomb?" The man asked in disbelief.
"I know enough for me to deal with simple toys like yours," Joanna said with a smirk on her face. The bomb was clearly homemade and of the lowest quality; she could've defused it with her eyes closed.
"You really are impressive, young lady." The man was quickly subdued, but he sincerely admitted his defeat.
The people around them were also full of praise for Joanna. Nobody expected a girl who seemed so vulnerable to actually know how to defuse a bomb!
Joanna lifted her chin in Ace's direction, a cheeky smile on her face. "What do you think? I rescued you again!"
Ace didn't speak. He just turned around and left, a somewhat weary look on his face.
"Hey, you're not very grateful, are you? How can you treat your savior like this?" Joanna didn't know what she'd done to offend the man, and was about to go after him and find out.
Suddenly, a woman charged through the crowd and hugged Jane. "Jane! Oh, my dear Jane!"