His Housewife Had Secret Identities novel Chapter 865

Suddenly, the dark muzzle of the gun was pointed at Lana. Lana, who had been struggling and shaking her head, froze in terror. Even through the phone, Niamh tensed up, her heart leaping into her throat. Beside her, Jonathan silently raised a hand and wrapped it around her shoulder. Through the silky fabric of her gown, the warmth of his palm gradually seeped into her skin, giving her a sense of security.

Niamh knew, deep down, that Joker wouldn't kill Lana just yet. She had to admit, Joker was smarter than she'd given him credit for. The banquet was supposed to be her bait to lure him in. Joker seemed gravely ill, his time running out. Logically, he shouldn't have passed up this chance to snipe her. But she had never imagined he would turn the tables, using the time she and Jonathan were at the banquet to kidnap Lana, completely unnoticed. With Lana as a bargaining chip, it would be hard for her not to comply.

"Did you think that since you're my target and Lana is just the bait, I wouldn't actually shoot her?" As soon as the words were out, there was a crack. A bullet grazed Lana's ear, and blood trickled from the edge of her earlobe. She was paralyzed with shock and fear, wanting to scream but unable to with her mouth gagged. "Joker!" Niamh roared. She could clearly see Lana break down, sobbing hysterically. The blood trickling from her temple seemed to stain Niamh's own vision red. Lana's terror was practically pouring out of the screen. Niamh's hands clenched into tight fists. "If you dare hurt Lana..." "But I've already hurt her, haven't I?" "You!" Niamh was seething with rage. But with Lana in Joker's hands, she couldn't make any rash moves.

"The person I want to kill is you, but getting to you and making a clean getaway is just too difficult." His voice, coming through the receiver, held a hint of resignation. "You saw it last time—I don't have much time left. So, rather than risk coming after you, I've chosen a safer, more reliable method: making you come to me." The phone's camera now focused on Joker, revealing his triumphant, sickly smile. "I'll send you a location shortly. If you and Jonathan aren't here within two hours, you can come collect Lana's body." Without another word, Joker ended the call. Niamh gritted her teeth in hatred.

Just then, her WhatsApp pinged. She opened it to see that Joker had added her as a contact and sent her a location. "This place is...?" Niamh showed the location to Jonathan, whose eyes darkened. Off the coast of Aldonia, in the Westpine Sea, was a man-made island built on reclaimed land. It was a lawless place, controlled by three major syndicates: the Vipers' Nest, the Black Serpents, and the Phantoms. Outsiders called the island "Gambler's Paradise," because it was filled with opulent, luxurious casinos. Niamh never would have imagined that the address Joker sent her would be a place like this—a casino.

Joker had taken Lana to a casino on the island and was now waiting for them there. It seemed to send a clear signal—he wanted to gamble with them. The night was still. The waves of the Westpine Sea crashed violently. Jonathan and Niamh took a speedboat to the man-made island—Gambler's Paradise. The moment they set foot on the island, they felt an atmosphere completely different from Aldonia.