“No. First of all, we have to stay on the phone; secondly, we must make sure that the call time is long enough. Otherwise, our colleagues won’t be able to trace the call. Besides, they may have crossed the border already. We can’t track signals outside the country,” Zayn answered without even thinking about it.

Winnie frowned. “Can you guys ask for help from neighboring countries, then?”

“We’ve contacted people in Rodunst, but it will take some time for both parties to go through the procedure. I hope those people can be arrested and brought to justice too! They are simply too outrageous!” Zayn said through gritted teeth and thumped the car hood indignantly.

Winnie’s frown grew deeper.

“What I’m most worried about now is the safety of my granny and Rachel. Under normal circumstances, they would have reached international waters by now. If those people had kept their promise, they should have released my granny and Rachel. But if they don’t keep their word…”

Her voice trailed off.

She was well aware of the possible outcome, but she couldn’t bear to say it out loud.

Sensing her sorrow, Zayn consoled her, “Don’t worry. Our colleagues are heading to the maritime border. If the hostages are released in the open sea, we will immediately initiate search and rescue operation.”

“Thank you! Please feel free to approach me if there’s anything I can help with,” Winnie said. She shook hands with Zayn, then turned around and left.

Right after she was out of Zayn’s sight, she made a call.

The person on the other end of the line answered the call quickly. “What are your orders, Your Majesty? Please use me to your heart’s content!”

Both of them were very close friends, so there was no need for them to exchange pleasantries.

“Help me find a boat.” Winnie went straight to the point. “It’s at the border of the waters of Chanaea and Rodunst, and it’s currently moving at high speed. There are five people on board: three kidnappers and two hostages. The kidnappers are armed with guns and bombs, and the hostages are an elderly woman and a young woman. I need the hostages to come back alive. As for those kidnappers, they don’t deserve to live.”

Lucas, who was the person on the other end of the line, was slightly taken aback. “Wow! A massive operation this time, huh?”

Winnie furrowed her brows. “This is serious, Lucas. I’m not joking with you.”

Lucas hummed in agreement, then continued solemnly, “I just received news that the south dock at Avenport was blown up, and the casualties were quite heavy. Is this the work of those kidnappers you mentioned?”

“Exactly. I almost died. You know what to do.”

“Got it! I promise I’ll find the most ruthless people to handle this matter for you!”

“Lucas, I only need the steadiest ones. One of the hostages is my granny, and I want her to come back unscathed. Money is not an issue. I can afford it no matter the cost.”

“All right. Wait for my news.”

Winnie murmured an acknowledgment before hanging up the phone.

She clutched the phone in her hand and knitted her brows once more.

This country can’t be compared to Epea. Besides Lucas, I don’t have any other useful connections here. Everything is so inconvenient. Damn it!

After composing herself, Winnie went to the ambulance.

Josiah was bandaging the wound on Xavier’s arm.

Stunned by the sight, Winnie asked, “Why are you here, Josiah? Where’s the doctor?”

Josiah didn’t bother to look up as he continued to tend to Xavier’s wound.

“What’s all the fuss about? Am I not a doctor too? There are so many people injured on site. Let’s not waste any medical resources.”

“What about the wound on your back?”

“I’m fine. The injuries on Xavier and I may look terrifying, but it’s not that serious. Besides, we’re young. It will heal in no time.”

Winnie nodded before squatting down in front of Xavier so that she could see his face and he could see hers when he lowered his gaze.

As they locked gazes, Xavier’s eyes were filled with gentleness and warmth. “Have you spoken to Lieutenant Zielinski? How did it go?”

sigh, but there was unwavering determination in her eyes. “Not that great. I can only depend

frowned. “What are you going to do,

eyes. After pondering for a while, she decided

yet. Let’s see if the police can

slower than before, but I’m also not so sensitive to pain. You

be worried if he can’t feel pain where it should

didn’t say anything in response. She gently rested her head on his

hand to stroke the top

them as loneliness and envy surged within him. He then quickly bandaged

seconds, he said, “All

send you

at her

if Granny

you, then. I’m

“But your injury—”

Dr. Houghton has already given

Before she could reply to Xavier, Josiah

suggestion is that he should head back

“You bring him back, then. You’re injured too and

leaving.” Josiah pushed his glasses up his nose bridge. “Even though I’m injured, I’m

is leaving, then.” Winnie sat down at the

for a moment, she turned to Josiah and

declined, “I’m good. There are professional

the first-aid kit and went to another injured person, leaving

Josiah left, Xavier called out, “Winnie

used to him addressing her by her

Winnie responded in the

out a sigh and asked, “What exactly do you want me

you talking about? Are you having a fever?” Winnie was

her hand to touch

her hand and stared at her intently. “I don’t have a

grabbed his hand. “Don’t you know that your arm is

care less about his injury. “Do you remember what you promised me before? What

gave Xavier her word in a serious manner, but she did promise him one thing not long

him not to deal with dangerous issues

is not dangerous now. Why would be I

don’t know what you’re thinking about? I heard you say it with my own ears just now. You said your discussion with Lieutenant Zielinski didn’t go well and that you could only depend on yourself. You had a determined look in your

she was at a loss for words. Suddenly, she thought of something she saw on the internet, which was a common quote jerks

and sneered, “If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do

instantly.

“I said—”

looked him in the eye, wanting to repeat herself. But when she saw that his eyes were filled with mixed feelings of vexation, resentment, and hurt, she immediately swallowed everything she

she didn’t have the heart to hurt

eyes were already red with anger, but he was more upset with her instead. “What? Who was the one who said we should trust each other and

him acting like this made her feel ashamed. “Yes, it was me. I’ll tell you now, then. It’s nothing much. I just asked someone to help me

it the underworld

little

where are those

a way to follow them at sea first. I’ll find them no

won’t believe

Why does it

I interrogate a

say. She grabbed his hands tightly as she gazed at his reddened eyes. “I’m sorry. Don’t

“Answer me.”

go to Jipsdale. They must have a huge base there. If he goes

doesn’t release Granny,

a few seconds. Then,

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