When She Rose From the Ashes

Many of the powerful figures who had rushed over immediately halted their descent when they heard the chaos below. Jensen saw what was happening; the sound of gunfire drifted up from beneath them, and he couldn’t help asking Hansel,

“Who’s shooting at whom?”

“It looks like the people on the ship are in a firefight with Mr. Rio’s men.”

Hansel had dealt with Rio plenty of times before; one glance was all it took for him to recognize him. Still, he didn’t quite understand why Rio would come here to take part in this auction.

Or… was the government planning to intervene in Ocevaris? Jensen froze for a moment when he heard Hansel’s words.

“Mr. Rio? Which Mr. Rio?”

“Payne’s son–he’s with the tax bureau.”

Hansel’s answer made Jensen’s brow furrow even tighter.

He glanced at the ticking watch on his wrist and said impatiently, “Forget about them for now. We’ll land as soon as the gunfire stops. I don’t know if the auction’s still happening, but I do know Natalie’s on that ship. Once it’s quiet, we go down and find her.”

If Jensen had looked outside just then, he would’ve seen Baron climbing the rope ladder with Natalie in his arms; unfortunately, he didn’t.

Hansel hadn’t noticed either.

He was just a corporate aide–if the authorities and the open–sea factions were clashing, an ordinary man like him was better off staying out of it. Meanwhile, other power players began asking what was going on.

When they learned that government agents were involved, many quickly turned their vessels

around to avoid trouble.

The auction wasn’t something they had to attend, after all. As several major groups withdrew, the ship’s owner received word.

are here–they’re fighting our people. What should we do now? A lot of the big names are backing off; they clearly

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Sat, Oct 11

408 You’re Hurt, Not

that, a voice came through the

Destroy all evidence–do not, under any circumstances, let the authorities get

“Yes, sir.”

his subordinate responded, the

managed to pull Natalie

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+5 Free Coins

inside, shouting at Westin the moment she caught her breath, “Is there a

move, Baron suddenly gripped the back of Natalie’s head and crushed his burning lips against her trembling,

to Natalie; when he arrived, this was the

His face flushed red.

murmured, “Mr. Rio, let’s… give them

nodded quickly

family’s live–in son–in–law–a

didn’t look like a bad relationship at

Baron had risked his life diving into the sea to save her; even when climbing that dangerous rope ladder, he’d never let her

Natalie was completely stunned.

was terrified, and now Baron was kissing her so fiercely that her mind

what he was doing, he had already let her go; but

of your mind? You’re injured, and that’s what you’re thinking

in pain;

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