“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?”

unwavering determination in her eyes. “Not

“What are you going

in his eyes. After pondering for a while, she decided not to tell him the plan she

police

not only is my reaction slower than before, but I’m also not so sensitive to pain. You don’t have

worried if he can’t feel pain where it should

say anything in response. She gently rested her head on

stroke the top of her head, his

surged within him. He then

seconds, he said, “All

you are hurt. I’ll get someone to send you two back first.”

glanced at her sideways.

stay. What if Granny comes

here with you, then. I’m not

“But your injury—”

Houghton has already given me the

in resignation. Before she could reply to Xavier,

should head back and get some rest, but he definitely won’t listen

then. You’re injured too

bridge. “Even though I’m injured, I’m

one is leaving, then.” Winnie sat down

to stay idle. After thinking for a moment, she turned to Josiah

who had his eyes glued on Winnie, and firmly declined, “I’m good. There are professional nurses over there. You

kit and went to

left, Xavier called

stunned. She was not used to him addressing

Winnie responded

that she was rather irascible, Xavier let out a sigh and asked, “What exactly do you want me to

talking about? Are you having a

her hand

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

of your mind?” Winnie hurriedly grabbed his

his injury. “Do you

Xavier her word in a serious manner, but she did promise him one thing

not to deal with

situation is not dangerous now. Why would be I planning

said your discussion with Lieutenant Zielinski didn’t go well and that you could only depend on yourself. You had a determined

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

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

instantly.

“I said—”

wanting to repeat herself. But when she saw that his eyes were filled with mixed feelings of vexation,

she didn’t have the

each other and never lie? Who was the one who said we should respect each other’s privacy but would

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

underworld or legal

A little

are

way to follow them at sea first. I’ll find them

do you think Zyon will go? I won’t believe it if you tell me

does it seem as though you’re interrogating a

I interrogate a criminal

She grabbed his hands tightly as

“Answer me.”

must have a huge base there. If

release Granny, will

was met with silence for a few seconds. Then, Winnie asked, “What will

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