Goodbye, Saintess. Novel

---- Chapter 136 "Do it already! What are you idiots waiting for?! Do you want me dead?!" Terry shrieked as pain shot through his neck repeatedly. Fear froze him completely. The bodyguards had no choice but to obey. Reluctantly, they retreated from the establishment. Once we were alone, Terry pleaded, "They're gone now! Are you satisfied? Can you please let me go?" | ignored him and turned to my employees. "Go ahead now! Jeanine, help Lucas up and get out of here with him!" The crowd finally understood my plan. Shock rippled across their faces. Awe and disbelief followed.

They were nearly moved to tears. Their formidable boss had taken Terry hostage to ensure they could escape safely. In a world where superiors often used their subordinates as pawns, how many leaders would risk their own safety to protect their people? My employees hesitated. None moved. "But we can't just leave you, Mr. Grimwald!" "We should wait for Mr. Goldman. He must have a plan. There ---- has to be another way!" "| don't want to leave you!" | exhaled, frustrated. "Enough with the melodrama. Just go. I'll be fine-Mr. Goldman is on his way, isn't he?

| don't want you here risking yourselves if things go wrong. "None of you can fight or negotiate. Staying won't help me. The best way to help is to leave... I feel safer knowing you're all out of danger." Silence fell. Jeanine grabbed my arm with tears in her eyes. | met her gaze gently, as | had countless times with fire victims during my firefighting career. "Do you trust me, Jeanine?" She blinked, startled. "Of course!" "Good. Then leave. Your mission-your sign of trust-is to lead everyone to safety," | said firmly. My words hit her like a revelation.

She lifted her head and met my determined stare. Her heart skipped. She nodded solemnly. "Thank you." "You're welcome. For the next two days, you all stay out of this city. Paid leave," | added quietly. ---- The Amos family held too much power in Astergrad. | couldn't protect them once they left this building, and | could barely protect myself. They needed to leave the city until it was safe- or maybe | would be the one forced to leave. That was the natural outcome when a commoner challenged a modern aristocrat. Jeanine quivered. "Mm!" Her resolve mirrored mine.

She nodded fiercely without another word and helped Lucas to his feet. Lucas winced as he moved. "I'm sorry, Mr. Grimwald. | thought it could work." My anger flared at the injuries Terry had inflicted. "Not your fault, Lucas. It failed because we're dealing with an asshole!" | pressed the bottle harder against Terry's throat, and he yelped again.