The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 489

With a creased map in hand, Percival trekked alongside Soren to a nearby abandoned mine.

At the mine’s entrance, they stumbled upon a covert mark of White Tiger etched into the rock face, its meaning unclear yet undeniably significant. And there, scattered nearby, lay a cache of critical documents belonging to CK.

“Base, this is Soren. We’ve found the mark,” Soren hollered into his headset.

A different voice crackled back, not Micah’s as expected, but that of the HQ commander. “Copy that. Proceed underground.”

Exchanging a glance, Percival and Soren strapped on their oxygen masks and descended into the bowels of the earth.

Markers bearing White Tiger’s emblem appeared sporadically along the mine’s tunnels—faded, but a trail they could follow nonetheless.

As they ventured deeper, the air grew thin, and a faint, metallic scent of blood wafted from the depths.

Suddenly, a clod of earth tumbled from directly above Percival.

“Run!” Percival barked, his eyes dark with urgency.

With lightning reflexes, Soren signaled to the team behind them, and the third squad retreated in a disciplined dash toward the exit.

Then, a thunderous collapse echoed from behind Soren.

“Captain!” He yelled.

“Get out of here. That’s an order!” Percival’s voice crackled through the headset as Soren could only glimpse his silhouette through the narrowing gaps in the debris.

“Captain, I’ll get you out!” Soren halted along with a few others.

Percival’s voice was icy. “Get lost. After you’re out, find Vivienne!”

Leopold and Thomas, sensing the gravity of the situation, called out, “Captain, report your status!”

“Mine… Collapse… Get out…”

Percival’s voice faded into static.

known location. However,

to HQ. But unfamiliar with the terrain, the front squad often stumbled into collapsing tunnels, with some members falling into the

Thomas, Leopold boosted their firepower

at HQ, Micah shouted into the mic, “Wolf, unidentified forces are attacking

to Soren, “Comms

the battle above, Soren knew staying meant certain death

to escape and return with reinforcements

vowed, “Captain, wait for my

though not without injuries—broken limbs and, for Soren, a gashed

life with Micah’s

comms are down. Send me the coordinates of

to down the helicopters to cut off

cursed and relayed the

three squads swiftly ended the fight, downing two helicopters,

with casualties among them,

location to Leopold, insisting they had to go

his voice

echoed the sentiment.

dizziness from blood loss nearly

caught him. “Go back to report and

with a cane, stormed over, nearly collapsing. “Everyone, back

there!” Leopold

but his dear friend who grew up with him. There was no way he would let Percival be buried

your men. They’re heavily wounded, and their lives

Leopold aside and took Soren from Thomas. “Get him treated, then document

operator approached with urgent news. “Deputy director, it’s

grabbed the handset.

told you to wait for satellite confirmation before

the

from HQ to enter the mine. When were we told

other side, “Bullshit! I’ve been shouting my throat dry, ordering

Micah. “Check the comms for

at HQ quickly realized it, too, and yelled

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