One Wrong Move

"Sorry, but I'm not interested in your disgusting old face!" Lian Qiang's disdain was evident in her expression. She swiftly adjusted her clothes, reacting to his touch.

After landing a punch on him, she reached for the earpiece's sensor, hoping to alert her comrades. But before she could relay a complete message, he lunged at her, gripping her neck. The sudden jolt caused the earpiece to fall from her ear.

Struggling for breath under his iron grasp, she writhed, trying to push him off. However, the more she resisted, the tighter his hold became. A muffled curse escaped her lips as they both toppled onto the plush bed, with Lian Qiang pinned beneath him. The warmth of his body against her back was unsettling.

He leaned in, smirking, and whispered, "Just play along, it'll be over quickly. There's no need to be shy." His breath felt hot against her ear, and his arm remained firmly wrapped around her neck, making it clear he wouldn't let go easily.

"You're far from my type," she retorted defiantly.

"You might change your mind after this," he taunted.

With a swift move, Chen Pei flipped their positions, now hovering over her. The weight of his body pressed her down, her mind racing as she sought a way out. His hand clamped around hers, fingers digging painfully into her skin.

But in her desperation, she managed to free her other hand. With lightning speed, she retrieved a pistol concealed beneath her dress. Without hesitation, she aimed and shot him in the arm.

The gunshot echoed, a jarring contrast to the room's earlier quiet. Blood spurted from Chen Pei's wound, his anguished cries filling the air.

Catching her breath, Lian Qiang quickly retrieved and reinserted her earpiece. The familiar soft hum confirmed its activation.

"Officer Xiao, it's urgent. I've shot Chen Pei. I need backup now. His men are outside," she relayed, her voice laced with urgency.

"Is he dead?" Officer Xiao's voice crackled in her ear.

"Just his arm," she replied, panting slightly.

"We're on our way. Stay safe, Officer Lian," Officer Xiao urged, genuine concern evident in his tone.

The muffled sound of footsteps and voices echoed in the corridor. She knew she didn't have much time.

Chen Pei, still writhing in pain on the bed, became her best chance at an escape. She swiftly silenced his cries for help with a stern "Quiet!", she cocked her gun once more, ready for the imminent confrontation.

She quickly took Chen Pei's bleeding left arm, the one she had shot, and grabbed his other arm, binding them together behind his back using his own luxurious, silk necktie. The fabric contrasted sharply with the grimness of the situation. With a swift motion, she cocked her gun, its metallic gleam reflecting the dim light in the room. Her face was a mask of stern determination, eyes sharp and focused.

"Stand up!" Her command was firm, echoing off the room's ornate walls, which were decorated with lavish wallpapers and framed paintings of landscapes that now felt eerily out of place.

Driven by a mixture of fear and the pressing cold metal against his head, Chen Pei obeyed, staggering to his feet, his usually impeccable suit now crumpled and stained with his own blood.

She took a firm stance behind him, pressing the cold muzzle of the gun to his temple. The luxury of the room, with its plush Persian rugs and the gentle glow of the chandelier, stood in sharp contrast to the tense moment. Chen Pei's face displayed clear signs of fear, disbelief, and a sudden awareness of his vulnerability. The distinct click as she turned off the gun's safety heightened the tension, causing Chen Pei's heartbeat to quicken even more.

Lian Qiang took a moment to steady herself, her breath even but fast, her mind racing through potential scenarios. She wasn't just thinking about the immediate threat, this was a test of her skill and wits, a chance to display her capability not just for a well-deserved promotion but for her own self-validation.

Gripping the gun tightly, she nudged Chen Pei forward with determination, guiding him towards the ornate wooden door, its intricate carvings depicting serene scenes, a stark contrast to their current predicament. Her fingers deftly turned the golden handle, tension evident in her every movement.

The door creaked open to reveal a tense scene. Chen Pei's armed men stood in the hallway, their faces a mixture of shock and aggression, weapons trained on Lian Qiang. The dim light from the hallway lights cast long, menacing shadows, giving the corridor an even more ominous feel. But Lian Qiang was unfazed. Holding Chen Pei firmly, she ensured the gun remained firmly pressed against his temple.

"One wrong move, and he's gone," she declared, her voice unwavering. Her lips curled into a sly, confident smirk, challenging them, making it clear that she was in control.

The standoff was palpable, a thick tension in the air as each side assessed the other, weighing their options, ready for the impending showdown.