Chapter 466: Something Happened

My feelings toward the Carlyns were complicated. On one hand, I believed they were cruel; on the other, I hoped they were safe. I hoped the Sanders were also safe. Their deaths would benefit no one; it would only please the Commander and his wife.

I quickly told Carter, “Carl, contact Amber.”

Carter looked grim. “I can’t reach her.”

“Has something happened?”

“I don’t know. After we parted ways on Rosbel Island, we lost contact. It wasn’t until I checked with my father that I learned the Commander and his wife were involved in something. I contacted Amber immediately, but I still don’t know if her family is on Rosbel Island or if they’ve already left and returned to the organization.”

I remembered Yael’s words—his brother would send him away. But where would he go? I opened his WhatsApp contact and sent a few messages, but, as expected, there was no reply.

Anxiety hung over me like a dark cloud. Right now, there was nothing I could do but hope he was alright. The Carlyns, like the Sanders, were tragic victims of this situation—this should not have happened to them.

“Alright, let’s get Dr. Laurence here first,” Jeffrey said, clearly exhausted.

“Mm.”

The Boltons must have taken precautions. If he hadn’t deliberately let the assassin in today, the killer wouldn’t have had the opportunity.

“Dad, when will we find their hideout?”

“I’ve laid a few traps. I’ve already contacted some old friends, but it will take time. The person who came today—whether we get anything out of him or not—at least sends a signal that we’re prepared. If they try anything else, they’ll need to be sure they can handle it.”

Jeffrey sat firmly in his chair. “I’m not afraid to lock the door and deal with him.” I’m coming; I’m afraid he won’t. If he does show up, I’ll…

While Jeffrey was getting an IV, Carter and I went to the small, dark room. That man had been tortured beyond recognition.

Damian gave us a nod. “We didn’t get anything out of him.”

“Does he have a chip on him?”

“Yes. The technician is on their way to see if we can trace the signal from the chip and find their location.”

Carter used a knife to lift the man’s chin, and in that brief moment, the man’s face was covered in blood. He wore a gag to prevent him from biting his tongue off.

“Do you recognize him?” Carter asked.

I knew Damian was from Shadow, the most powerful mercenary organization. It seemed Carter had brought him in to identify the man.

Damian shook his head. “I don’t recognize him. Even if he is from Shadow, people in that group usually stay hidden during missions. It’s hard to know their identities.”

Carter lightly tapped the man’s face with the tip of his knife. “If he won’t talk, we’ll let him starve. He’ll talk when he’s hungry enough, as long as he’s still alive.”

“Understood.”

Carter took my hand as we left the room, and just when my heart had begun to settle, it grew heavy again.

“Carl.” I grabbed his hand. “You’re the heir Dad has chosen, and I’m worried they’ll come after you.”

“They’ve already tried once.” He glanced down at his leg. “If it hadn’t been for Esther back then, I wouldn’t have just injured my leg.”

Though he seemed fine now, I knew the immense effort and sacrifice he’d made to get here. Back then, he was still vulnerable. To protect himself from further attacks, he pretended to be disabled after recovering and stayed abroad for years, letting people lower their guard.

My rebirth shattered everything. I ruined the Commander and his wife’s entire scheme. I guess that’s the way it goes—man’s plans can never outmatch fate.

“I’ll wait for them to walk right into the trap!” Carter’s eyes were filled with cold hatred. He wanted revenge.

But Jeffrey had already noticed. The police were still investigating the incident in the underground parking garage. After the assassin’s failure, they likely wouldn’t make a move for now. But the Carlyns still made me uneasy. With Wisteria dead, only a few Carlyns remained. If even they were to die, the Carlyns would be completely wiped out.

I went to the school, hoping to hear something about Yael, but the Carlyns had already arranged for him to take leave. As I walked through the campus, I thought back to the kind young man who gave me lemon tea when I first arrived at the school. Where was he now? Was he still alive and well?

I pulled out the keychain he had given me, recalling how he had quietly slipped it to me, worried that Carter might find it and throw it away. After everything I’d been through, I understood just how fragile life was. Even they would be killed instantly if they were caught unprepared. That fool who lacked love, never even had a single day of being truly loved by his mother. Even Taylor—it was strange, but I didn’t want him to die. And Amber, that hot-tempered woman. Would I ever get to enjoy the fruit juice she made for me again? After our brief time together in Jaford, I never imagined I’d feel such complicated emotions toward the one who tried to kill me.

The cherry blossoms were in full bloom on campus. A breeze blew through, and for a moment, I thought I saw that young man in a white shirt.

“Yael!” I hurried after him. Just as I was about to catch up, everything went black, and I stumbled forward. A pair of strong hands caught me. “Are you alright?”