CHAPTER 537: CHAPTER 537: UNWORTHY OF LOVE

Paige Sterling’s mouth twitched, she just glanced at Henry Hale and didn’t speak.

The speedboat was already prepared, but there was only one good life jacket on board, and Henry Hale’s men gave it to Henry.

"Mr. Hale, quickly put it on and board the boat, we don’t have much time."

Henry handed the life jacket to Paige, "Paige, put it on."

Henry’s men were all astonished, "Mr. Hale, there’s only one life jacket."

How could Henry give it to Paige? At this moment, ensuring his own survival was what’s most important.

But Henry didn’t answer, just looked at Paige, "Put it on."

He wanted Paige to die with him, but whenever he thought of Paige truly dying, dying in this sea, a pang of reluctance hit him.

Moreover, giving the only life jacket to Paige might stir some emotion in her, right?

However, Henry overthought it. Paige took the life jacket but wasn’t moved.

She put it on and didn’t say a word.

Henry sighed and said, "Paige, no matter what happens, I’ll hold onto you."

It seemed he was saying this to Paige, or perhaps to firm up his own resolve.

He was determined to take Paige with him, alive or dead, he’d never let Paige go, never!

Following this, Paige and Henry boarded the speedboat. To avoid attracting attention, it was just the two of them on the boat.

Then several speedboats set off in different directions to divert attention.

This way, not knowing which speedboat Paige was on, they didn’t dare to rashly attack.

Only when they got closer and confirmed Paige wasn’t on board could they risk blocking it.

As a result, precious time was lost, and eventually, Henry’s speedboat seized the chance to break through the encirclement.

Julian Hawthorne finally locked onto Henry’s speedboat, immediately giving chase on another speedboat, paying no heed to others’ hindrances.

All he knew was that Paige was on the speedboat, Paige was in danger, and he had to get there, he couldn’t let Paige remain in danger any longer.

The days of separation had been more than enough for him to bear.

To stop Henry’s speedboat, they shot at the boat numerous times, but aimed wide to avoid harming Paige, causing little damage to the speedboat, which continued moving swiftly.

Henry’s expression grew more grim, knowing he couldn’t escape this time, he’d either die or be captured.

Such a proud person, he wouldn’t allow himself to be at someone else’s mercy for the rest of his life, so he’d rather die.

Taking Paige with him in death!

He wasn’t afraid of dying, never had been.

But when it truly came to this, he found he couldn’t bring himself to do it, he could die, but couldn’t bring himself to truly take Paige with him to death.

Henry gritted his teeth, looked at Paige, wanting to say something, but ultimately it was too late as the speedboat was hit, slowing its speed.

Moreover, the speedboat became unstable, throwing Paige overboard, now Paige was in the sea.

If it weren’t for the handcuffs linking him and Paige, he would’ve lost sight of her altogether.

Henry slowed the speed, watched Paige in the water, then grabbed her hand firmly, "Paige."

Paige soaked in the water, frowning slightly.

The sea was bone-chillingly cold in this season, and she was starting to shiver.

Henry didn’t pull her up, but watched her, as if seeing her for the last time, with such greed.

"Paige, you really hate me, don’t you?"

He didn’t give Paige a chance to speak, "If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have suffered so much, and you wouldn’t be freezing in the water now. You should hate me, wishing I were dead."

Paige looked at Henry with a cool expression, "Henry Hale, what exactly do you want to do?"

Saying those things at a time like this, isn’t his brain messed up?

"What can I do? Soon I won’t be able to do anything to you anymore, you should be happy."

Paige, "..."

Henry leaned down, gazing into Paige’s eyes, which concealed so much, he asked Paige, "Paige, I’m dying soon."

Paige, "..."

Henry said, "Before I die, could you answer a question, just as the last wish of a dying man?"

Paige said nothing, so Henry continued talking to himself, "From the time we met until now, was there ever a moment you liked me, thought about being with me? Even just for a moment?"

Paige’s reply was cold and merciless, "No."

Henry’s face stiffened, then he laughed, a laugh full of self-mockery, mocking himself.

"What am I still hoping for? I already knew the answer..."

Then he looked down at Paige, "Tell me why exactly? Is it because of our different positions, or something you dislike about what I’ve done?"

He seemed to not need Paige’s answer, because he knew what Paige’s answer would be.

Yet despite knowing, he tentatively asked, "Paige, if I had never done those things you disliked, if I had stood on the same side as you from the start, would you have had a least some affection for me in the end?"

He asked cautiously, afraid Paige would shatter this tiny hope of his too.

If Paige said yes, then he wouldn’t feel so regretful, at least he would have had a chance, but he just didn’t seize it.

That’s much better than knowing Paige would never like him no matter what.

Even though it’s just self-consolation.

But it’s better than nothing.

However, Paige didn’t directly answer his question, because she felt Henry’s questions were completely pointless.

"Henry Hale, Julian Hawthorne is already catching up, shouldn’t you be running by now?"

"What’s the point in running? I used to run because I hadn’t found what I was looking for, but now that I’ve found it, with you here, where can I run? What’s the point in running?"

Paige sighed.

This sigh gave Henry a glimmer of hope, and he stared unblinkingly at Paige.

Only to hear Paige say, "Henry Hale, although I may not be very emotionally intelligent, I know what your behavior represents right now, I know what you’re thinking, but I just want to say, your words are meaningless, I won’t be moved, nor will I remember you for life. Your so-called feelings are worthless compared to the heinous things you’ve done, how could you think you can destroy so many families, force so many young lives to an early end, and still deserve any affection?"

Who was Henry hoping to move?

Himself?

Has he watched too many clichéd dramas? Thinking as long as the male lead loves the female lead, all his atrocious deeds don’t matter.

Or does he think she’s shallow enough to be swayed by appearances?

Sorry, Henry’s deep emotions couldn’t move her, when she sees Henry, all she recalls are the things he did.

"So in your heart, I’m not worthy of anyone’s affection, is that it?"