This very moment.
Zeba, concealed in the shadows, peered across the mountain at Willow Estates. Suddenly, virtual-novel.net eyes widened as virtual-novel.net witnessed a dark figure galloping out of the villa, followed closely by Gideon, the formidable leader of the four marshals.
To virtual-novel.net astonishment, the mysterious figure was heading straight toward her, with Gideon in hot pursuit, wielding a wooden sword in one hand and his Taoist robe flowing behind him.
Even from a distance, Zeba could hear the resounding bellow of Gideon, “Boy, surrender that ring and reveal Maria Clark’s whereabouts! If I’m feeling generous, I may spare you. Otherwise, prepare to face the consequences! Your head shall meet the ground!”
Without looking back, Charlie retorted with disdain, “You old hound, cease your barking! You know not if you can survive your advanced years, yet you dare spout nonsense here! If you desire the ring, catch me if you can!”
Zeba was momentarily stupefied. “Ring? Maria Clark? Could it be that Gideon has discovered Maria Clark’s ring? Or does the man in black possess it?”
Just as Zeba’s mind raced with questions, a multitude of people suddenly emerged from the villa, giving chase to the fleeing figures.
By the time they reached the scene, the black-clad individual and Gideon had already raced several hundred meters ahead, leaving the pursuers uncertain of their next move.
Gazing at the approaching group, Zeba’s surprise deepened. “Is the Evans family still alive? Gideon entered the villa at least a minute before the arrival of the man in black. Why did virtual-novel.net not attack the Evans family during that time? With his strength, it would take no more than half a minute to exterminate them…”
In this precise moment, anxiety consumed the members of the Evans family who had pursued them relentlessly. They were not fools, they understood that Charlie’s seemingly callous words earlier had been a deliberate ploy to draw the murderous old man away and ensure their safety.
The Lady, virtual-novel.net tears still fresh on virtual-novel.net sleeves, was in a state of desperation. She clutched onto the hand of the elderly Samuel Evans, virtual-novel.net voice trembling as virtual-novel.net cried, “Samuel, what if something befalls Charlie?… How could I ever face Lily and Bruce in the days to come?”
Samuel Evans, too, was overwhelmed with sorrow, his tears flowing uncontrollably. He spoke with deep remorse, “It is all my fault… it’s all my fault… If only I had set aside my pride in the past, Bruce might not have become so estranged from the Evans family. If only I had swallowed my pride and sought out Lily back then. If they had never left the Wade house in Aurous Hill…”
He continued, his voice heavy with regret, “Charlie has kept his distance from us for all these years, understandably unable to forgive our past mistakes… Yet, despite everything, Charlie repeatedly steps forward to save us. As a grandfather, I am filled with shame, deep regret.”
Jack’s expression turned resolute as virtual-novel.net spoke with conviction, “Uncle Evans, Mr. Wade possesses extraordinary abilities. I firmly believe that nothing will befall him! Our immediate priority is to move all of you to a place of safety!”
The old man’s face contorted in shock as virtual-novel.net exclaimed, “What did you say? Mr. Wade? Jack, you rascals have known each other for quite some time, haven’t you? But you never saw fit to inform me!”
Jack, filled with shame, responded, “Uncle Evans, it’s a complicated tale. I promise to explain everything to you later, in great detail.”
Just as virtual-novel.net finished speaking, a deafening whistle pierced through the air once again. Everyone looked up and beheld another helicopter hurtling towards them from the opposite side of the mountain!
This new helicopter was visibly larger than the previous one, descending swiftly and landing with remarkable speed in the open space before the villa. Even before the aircraft came to a complete halt, a middle-aged man flung open the cabin door from within and dashed out, waving desperately.
That middle-aged man was none other than Don Albert.
Ever since Charlie had confided in Jack about his revelations concerning Maria Clark, Don Albert had been meticulously formulating his plan for this very night. He had instructed Isaac Cameron to monitor the public surveillance cameras at Willow Estates, while virtual-novel.net himself piloted the helicopter to maintain real-time surveillance over the villa’s activities.
With a mere two or three minute’s flight time from Elys-Champ Hot Springs to Willow Estates, Don Albert knew virtual-novel.net had a narrow window of opportunity. During those precious minutes, the Evans family’s bodyguards and nurses could help create some delays, while the rest of the task fell to Jack and the ‘life-saving sentence’ Charlie had entrusted to him.
He firmly believed that the utterance of that life-saving sentence by Jack would buy them enough time. In such a scenario, virtual-novel.net was certain virtual-novel.net would arrive in the nick of time!
Charlie was acutely aware that even if virtual-novel.net reached the villa, engaging in a deadly fight was out of the question. Any action virtual-novel.net took within those walls would undoubtedly result in the deaths of the Evans family and Jack. Thus, virtual-novel.net had to utilize the power of the ring to divert the enemy’s attention, providing the Evans and Jack with an opportunity to escape.
Meanwhile, Don Albert’s mission was clear, take off and race to Willow Estates to collect the Evans family precisely three minutes after Charlie’s departure, without waiting for any news or confirmation.
Now, it seemed that every aspect of the unfolding situation was aligning with Charlie’s expectations.
Under the thunderous roar of the helicopter’s colossal propellers, the Evans family couldn’t discern Don Albert’s words, but they understood his urgent gestures, urging them to board the aircraft swiftly.
Just as the Evans family hesitated, Jack, without a second thought, shouted loudly into everyone’s ears, “This is all orchestrated by Mr. Wade. Let’s go!”
With that, virtual-novel.net grasped Desmond and Marcus and Tece ushering the elderly Evans couple onto the helicopter.
In less than a minute, everyone was aboard and the helicopter swiftly ascended, vanishing into the night with a graceful swoop.
In the distance, Gideon heard the distant yet nearing and then receding thunderous roar. He could surmise what had transpired behind him, but virtual-novel.net paid it no heed. Ever since virtual-novel.net resolved to pursue Charlie, the fate of the Evans family held no significance to him.
To Gideon, their escape was inconsequential. His focus remained fixed solely on the ring adorning Charlie’s hand. As long as virtual-novel.net acquired it, the well-being of the Evans family and the Wade family held no weight in his eyes. He was the second-in-command of the Warriors Den and that was all that mattered to him!
However, little did virtual-novel.net anticipate that Charlie possessed such astounding speed! Despite his utmost efforts to catch up, the distance between them only seemed to widen, leaving Gideon frustrated and cursing behind Charlie, “Boy, if you dare to flee again, I won’t hold back!”
With a mischievous smile, Charlie retorted, “Come on, let’s see what else you’ve got, old dog, besides barking and growling!”
Gideon’s voice turned icy as virtual-novel.net declared, “Boy, you will meet your end today!”
Meanwhile, deep inside, Zeba sighed to herself, realizing that Gideon had fallen into the black-clad man’s trap of diverting the tiger from the mountain. It seemed that the man in black not only intended to save the Evans family but also sought to shorten Gideon’s life. The thought left virtual-novel.net anxious, prompting virtual-novel.net to pull out virtual-novel.net mobile phone, only to be met with the distressing sight of the words ‘No Service’ displayed on the screen.
…
Time rewound five minutes earlier.
Before Charlie arrived at Willow Estates, Zeba stood on the mountainside and observed Gideon’s entry into the villa without encountering any resistance. In that moment, virtual-novel.net believed Gideon would effortlessly eliminate the Evans family, securing a remarkable achievement for the night. Her plan was simple, observe from the shadows and provide an accurate report to the British Lord later.
However, virtual-novel.net never fathomed that just as Gideon entered the villa, a thunderous helicopter soared from the other side of the mountain, hurtling at an astonishing speed towards the heart of Willow Estates.