Salute To The General

Nathan asked in a low voice, "What happened?"

Colin covered the phone with his hand and whispered, "The Peacekeeping Forces sent a message earlier saying that they were ambushed when they were escorting Ava back. The team that was with her is all dead, and she's gone missing." Nathan's expression darkened at the news.

Colin continued, "I was just trying to find out who did this when the culprit called me."

Hearing that, Nathan's gaze fell on the phone in Colin's hand.

Colin added, "That's right. The culprit's on the line right now. He's saying that Ava's still alive, and that he wants to talk to you." Nathan frowned.

Standing aside, Mueller watched how Colin kept whispering to Nathan, and how the latter's face was darkening by the second.

Worried, he asked, "Mr. Cross, is there something wrong?"

Nathan shook his head. "No. Please excuse me for a moment."

he left with Colin and walked toward a quiet spot

took the phone from Colin's hand, put it to his ear, and uttered coldly,

from the other end of the line.

replied coolly, "Who

man on the line chuckled again. "My name's Antonio. As for who I

if you want to see Ava alive, you will come over to the Black Swan Castle alone at twelve o'clock tonight. Remember, only you can come. If I see another person with you, I promise that you will only see Ava's cold, dead body." Nathan was about to reply when he heard muffled cries from Ava

Cross, don't come! It's a trap! If they want to kill me, just let

me as bait to lure you here, so

come-

she could finish her sentence. It

He called out in

same time, in an old castle outside of Newcove, Ava could be seen tied to a chair, her mouth covered by Gianna. "Lass, you'd better shut your mouth. Consider this your last warning unless you want me

for she had done what she set out to

the risk. He's now the president of Eurasia, after all. His life is much