Elaine yanked on Sammy's hair with a vindictive sneer. "Thought you were tough, huh? Caused me trouble just like that bitch, Whitney!"
Sammy glared back with sharp eyes, his gaze fierce despite his attempt to speak through the gag.
Curious, Elaine leaned in closer, wanting to hear what he had to say.
"Mmmph."
Casually looking around to ensure they were alone, she boldly ripped the duct tape from his mouth, muttering, "Let's see what you've got to say now, on your way out..."
"Ptui!" A glob of spit hit her face.
Sammy managed a cold smirk, even with his battered face, defiantly staring her down.
Elaine's face twisted in fury, spit dripping down her cheek. "Got a backbone, do ya?" she sneered, moving closer.
Deep in Sammy's intelligent eyes, there was fear, but seeing Danny struggling to breathe, he felt a surge of responsibility. Sammy had always blamed himself for taking more than his share of everything, even in their mother's womb, leaving Danny weaker.
At this moment, knowing escape was impossible, Sammy's only thought was to protect Danny from further harm.
"I've got more backbone than you could ever hope for, unlike you, clinging to that loser of a father, ruining other people's lives, just like you did to my mom!" Sammy taunted. "And yet, he still doesn't want you. Even a kid can see that. How can you not get it, you shameless witch!"
Elaine's face turned a shade of purple.
Sammy squinted, "Took you long enough to realize we're brothers. Scared now? Your little kidnapping plan to take us on? Well, Dad's gonna come save us, and your plans will crumble!"
"You think I'd let him find out you two brats are still alive?"
Elaine, confident in her victory, sneered, "With that mouth of yours, I'll make sure you can't talk back. Let's see how tough you are now."
She signaled the henchman.
They threw Sammy to the ground, and Elaine began to search him, pulling out an asthma inhaler.
"I knew it..." she chuckled, tossing the inhaler away, "Got asthma, huh?"
Sammy's confidence wavered at that moment, not missed by Elaine's observant eyes. "Thought you could fool me, switching places? I've known about this bottle since I found it. Whitney hid you well, but after three years of silence, I finally caught up. Tonight, only one of you will make it. Ready to die for Daniel?"
With that, she tossed the inhaler out of sight.
At her command, the henchman dunked Sammy's head underwater.
"Mmph!" Sammy struggled, remembering Elaine's threat against Daniel.
"Sammy, come on!" Daniel screamed, his eyes wide with terror, watching his brother suffer and the inhaler lost in the distance.
A kick from the henchman sent Daniel sprawling, unable to reach the lifesaving inhaler.
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