Chương 224: Chapter 221: Valor vs. Self-Preservation
"It's about time!"
At the entrance of the Manhattan Second Bank, two men in black clothing and ski masks lurked in the shadows. Once the crowd descended into chaos, one of them signaled to the other.
The second man pulled out a remote and pressed a button.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Four controlled explosions echoed, and the doors of the Manhattan Second Bank collapsed with a thunderous crash.
The two other criminals who had incited the commotion joined them, and all four, armed with automatic rifles, rushed into the bank.
"Who's there?"
Rat-a-tat-tat, rat-a-tat-tat…
The two security guards didn't even have a chance to draw their weapons before they were gunned down in a hail of bullets.
A terrified bank employee attempted to flee to the stairwell but was caught and shot twice by one of the robbers.
"Ryan, stay on the first floor. Kill anyone who comes in!"
The leader's voice brimmed with cold ruthlessness.
"Got it!"
"Let's head to the vault on the basement level," the leader commanded, taking the other two robbers with him.
"Jessica, Lindsay, did you feel that? It seemed like the ground just shook," Dorothy said with a frown.
"Did it?" Jessica was already unnerved by the chaotic scene unfolding on the streets.
The streets were a picture of pandemonium. Jessica had witnessed a woman being dragged into a nearby shop—what might happen was too horrifying to contemplate.
"I think I felt it too," Lindsay said, trying to suppress the urge to cry. She steadied herself, trying to appear brave in front of her friends.
"Wait… do you hear that? It's gunfire!" Dorothy's eyes widened.
"Did someone break in?" Jessica's voice quivered, her fear palpable.
"Surely not…" Lindsay was visibly terrified.
"Shh. I'll take a look," Dorothy whispered.
"No, we'll go together," Jessica insisted, her trembling voice contrasting with the determination in her eyes.
"Yeah, together," Lindsay echoed, summoning her courage.
Dorothy was touched by their solidarity. These are my sisters, through and through.
The three girls tiptoed toward the door. Jessica thoughtfully turned off the room's lights, and Dorothy cautiously cracked the door open.
"There's someone there," she whispered.
"A ski mask… and a gun. They're definitely robbers."
"What should we do?"
"They haven't noticed us yet. Let's stay hidden and wait for the police. The bank's security alarm must have gone off by now."
(Note: The "alarm" refers to a silent security alert system connected to a private security company. When the bank's door is breached or the panic button is pressed, the company is notified and then contacts the police.)
"Should we call Martin?" Jessica suggested.
"Yes! Warn him to stay away, and put all phones on silent."
Meanwhile, the Manhattan Police Department received the bank's alarm notification.
Chief Terrence Monahan was furious.
"Damn it! Have these thugs gone mad? Robbing shops is one thing, but a bank? Are they out of their minds?"
"Deploy the helicopter! Notify the SWAT team immediately!"
Simultaneously, Martin, who was aboard a Fox News helicopter flying over 101st Street, overheard the news.
No, it wasn't directed at him—it came from a Fox News reporter. But he caught it nonetheless.
In fact, the news channel received the tip before the police, likely due to a leak from someone in the security company or police department.
"Breaking news, everyone. According to reliable sources, the Manhattan Second Bank on 101st Street has been breached by unidentified robbers. Their numbers are unclear, but they are reportedly armed with explosives and firearms…"
The live report broadcast the shocking development into countless households. Suddenly, the camera shifted, and Martin's familiar face appeared on-screen.
"What did you just say? The Second Bank has been breached?" Martin's urgent tone carried through the host's microphone.
Is that Martin?
Why is Martin on a Fox News helicopter?
And why does he seem so anxious about the bank robbery?
Millions of viewers shared the same questions.
After the host confirmed the report, Martin cursed under his breath. "Damn it!"
Fortunately, his psychic connection to Jessica and the others hadn't registered any extreme emotions, indicating that they were safe—for now.
But now didn't guarantee later.
Martin glanced below. The bank's rooftop had a sizable platform.
"Can the helicopter land there?" he asked.
The reporter was stunned.
Viewers at home were equally shocked.
What is Martin planning to do?
Martin quickly answered their unspoken question. "My friends are in that bank. I need to save them."
"Sorry, Martin. It's not that I don't want to help, but…" The reporter hesitated before offering an apologetic smile. "We're journalists, not law enforcement. We'd only make things worse by interfering. It's better to wait for the police."
Her reasoning resonated with the viewers.
In the West, particularly in the U.S., valor isn't widely encouraged in life-threatening situations. The prevailing belief is to prioritize self-preservation and leave dangerous tasks to professionals.
There's no inherent "right" or "wrong" in this perspective—it's simply a reflection of differing cultural values between East and West.
Martin didn't press her further. He had already found another option. He pointed to a coiled steel cable on the helicopter, about the thickness of a thumb.
"What's that?" he asked.
"Uh, it's used to secure camera equipment during specialized shoots," the host explained.
"How long is it?"
"Fifteen meters!"
By now, everyone on the helicopter—and everyone watching at home—understood what Martin intended to do.
"Martin, this isn't safe!" Gordon, his bodyguard, protested. "We should listen to Miss Kyra and wait for the police!"
"No. I won't stand by while my friends are in danger. I have to help them."
"And how exactly are you going to help? You don't know how many robbers are inside or what weapons they have!" Gordon shouted, exasperated.
Martin couldn't help but chuckle. The loyalty he'd instilled in Gordon had now become an obstacle. I should've programmed him to follow orders instead of protect me.
But it was too late for regrets.
"I won't allow it, Martin," Gordon continued. "As your bodyguard, I'm responsible for your safety. If anything happens to you, Mr. and Mrs. Myers will fire me for sure."
Martin sighed. "Sorry, Gordon."
"What?" Gordon's eyes widened in alarm.
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