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“I’ve just spread the news. It so happens that an ocean carrier passed by the international waters
beyond Chanaea and Rodunst on its way back from South Adrune. Indeed, we have spotted a hydrofoil
matching your description to a tee, but there’s an exceedingly savage individual on that ship, even
more so than the pirates of Spaunia. My ship is a merchant ship. Although it’s massive, the people on it
are all law-abiding citizens, so they can’t do anything about those few people when they’ve got guns
and hostages,” Lucas relayed.
“I understand.” Not in the mood to listen to pointless information she could predict herself, Winnie
asserted, “Tell me something I don’t know such as what’s next. What is your plan?”
“My plan? As you know, it’s too late even if I were to gather my forces now. But my ship has been
keeping an eye on their whereabouts. While there’s no exact location, we can still gauge their route
roughly.”
“So, what kind of route is that?”
“I have no way of obtaining the specific coordinates, but I can tell you for sure that the ship has
presently entered the Greater Majestic Subregion.”
“The Greater Majestic Subregion?” Winnie frowned slightly, for she wasn’t quite familiar with that place.
“Yeah. Perhaps you don’t know much because you haven’t been expanding your career in Aploth all
these years. The Greater Majestic Subregion includes the six countries and regions along the Majestic
River Basin. The situation here is rather complicated. Some smaller countries don’t impose sanctions,
so it’s no big deal even if they were to land directly with weapons or enter Majestic River through the
sea mouth.”
While Lucas was speaking, Winnie had already opened the map on her phone, trying to make sense of
the entire situation in the shortest time possible.
As she studied the map, she remarked, “In other words, they’ll cross the threshold of Venria’s borders
regardless of whether they enter Majestic River through the sea mouth or land directly. Okay, we’ll do
this. I’ll send you the pictures of three of them. Get some men to keep an eye on them in Venria’s
borders. That aside, I suspect that they might be heading to Manchernius.”
“Manchernius? Then, it’s highly likely that they’ll be going by water.” Lucas pondered for a while before
declaring, “Okay! I know what to do now. Send me the pictures right away!”
Winnie murmured in acknowledgment. Pausing for a second, she added, “Also, prepare a mercenary
team for me. They must be trustworthy. Otherwise, I won’t be going back alive.”
“What?” Lucas’ voice abruptly went a few decibels higher. “What are you planning to do? Don’t tell me,
you’re planning to go over in person! It’s a paradise for violence there, with no law or humanity. It’s
exceedingly dangerous!”
Winnie’s brows furrowed imperceptibly. “You don’t need to worry about that. All you need to do is to
prepare the most trustworthy people for me. Mainly, it’s because I need an understanding of the terrain
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtand basic situation at Jipsdale. Otherwise, I’ll make arrangements for some people to go over.”
“All right, then.” Lucas was silent for a long while before he vowed solemnly, “Don’t worry, Winnie. I’ll
never allow you to die on my watch!”
Despite the phone separating them, and they couldn’t see each other, Winnie still nodded in response.
Chuckling, she replied, “I trust you, Lucas.”
After hanging up the phone, she decided to head back and look for Zayn to find out the latest situation.
Unexpectedly, she was greeted by the sight of Josiah the instant she turned around.
Judging from the man’s expression, he seemed to have been standing there for a long time.
Winnie promptly frowned, but before she could utter a single word, Josiah started chortling.
“Well? Are you feeling very much frustrated, thinking, ‘D*mn it! I actually didn’t notice him standing
behind me!’?”
Having been exposed, Winnie couldn’t help chuckling softly. “You understand me pretty well, Dr.
Houghton.”
“That’s for sure. After all, we’re considered good friends who have been through life and death
together. It’d be a travesty of the time we’ve known each other if I don’t understand you at all.”
Winnie bobbed her head lightly. “I love hearing that. So, when did you come over, and how much have
you—”
“I heard everything.” Josiah cut her off without waiting for her to finish speaking.
That had Winnie startled for a moment. “You’re rather honest.”
“Yup!” Twisting his body slightly, Josiah leaned against the huge container at the side.
With his eyes pinned on her, he drawled, “Didn’t you tell Xavier previously that you don’t like being lied
to? Furthermore, would you believe me if I were to tell you that I merely passed by and didn’t hear
anything?”
“Naturally, I won’t believe that entirely. Promise me something?” Winnie walked over to him and leaned
against the container by his side.
“What is it?”
“Don’t tell Xavier about this.”
A frown marred Josiah’s countenance. “But Winnie, this is very dangerous, you know?”
Winnie scratched her head. “I’m sick of repeating myself. All of it, from my grandmother’s life and
Xavier’s antidote to my black badge, is worth me making a trip personally. Besides…”
Shooting him a look, she continued, “That isn’t the most dangerous place I’ve ever been.”
After a long silence, Josiah relented, “Fine, then. It seems that no one can sway you from a decision
you’ve made anyway. Can I ask you a question?”
“Shoot.”
“Since you’re so confident, why don’t you want Xavier to know about it? You’re afraid that he’ll worry,
right? If you know he’ll worry, can you not go?”
Frowning deeply, Winnie fixated her gaze on Josiah. “That’s not the only reason. He said he’d go with
me if I were to go. But you’re his doctor, so you know his condition full well. His reflexes and stamina
are no longer as good as before. You know what that means. If we were to encounter the same danger,
I might be able to dodge easily, but the same can’t be said of him right now. I’m going over because
I’ve got something crucial to do. I don’t want to lead him to his death.”
“Is it absolutely necessary for you to go?”
In response, Winnie nodded. “I’m going over to save someone, not to tempt fate. In all situations, my
life comes first. Don’t take me as such a reckless person, okay? Just tell me this—can you promise to
keep this secret for me for the time being?”
Seeing her solemn expression, Josiah suddenly felt like teasing her.
“What can you do if I were to go and tell Xavier about it now? Are you going to kill me?”
Winnie had already seen the answer she wanted in his eyes. Still, mirth bubbled within her.
“I won’t go as far as killing you since I’m not such a vicious person. But you won’t be able to escape a
beating.”
“No way! I’m utterly afraid of pain. But Winnie, you must be careful. Make sure that you’re fully
prepared and be sure to tell me if you need my help.”
Lifting her hand, Winnie patted Josiah on the shoulder lightly. “Thank you! I’ve still got to seek
Lieutenant Zielinski out, so I’ll be going over first.”
“Go ahead. I’ll go and get some gauze.” Josiah watched as she left before he spun around and headed
in another direction.
After going in search of Zayn, Winnie promptly returned to Xavier’s side.
When she went over, he was sitting on the bench while fiddling with his phone single-handedly.
She naturally rested her hand on his shoulder. Then, she dipped her head and glanced at his phone
screen casually.
“Louis is looking for you? Is it about work?”
“Yeah.” Xavier didn’t shy away from her as he handled his work matters. After he had finished dealing
with everything, he put his phone away and inquired, “What did Lieutenant Zielinski say? Has Granny
been found?”
“No. He urged me to go home and wait for updates. Let’s go back first since it won’t do us any good to
wait here anyway. You need rest.”
Xavier eyed her suspiciously. “Just leave like this? Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Naturally, I do mind. But we can only wait for updates, both from the police and my friend. Oh yes, did
Josiah come over just now?”
“Nope. Why?”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“No reason. I merely want to ask him whether he’d like to leave together.” Relief suffused Winnie after
she had ascertained that the man hadn’t come over to spill her secret to Xavier.
Xavier nodded. As he stared at Winnie’s retreating back, he plunged into deep contemplation.
In the end, Josiah didn’t leave with Winnie and Xavier.
Winnie sent Xavier right over to Aqua Moana since it was near his office, making it convenient for Louis
to come over and discuss work with him.
That aside, her house was right below. That made it convenient for her to pack her luggage.
However, Xavier refused to allow her to leave. He couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was off
with her that day.
“Where are you going? Can’t you just stay here?”
“I’m going home to take a shower.”
“This is also your home. Isn’t it the same to shower here?”
“But I don’t have any clothes here.”
“Just wear mine, then.”
“Are you serious? Louis is working in your study and might come out anytime. Yet, you’re planning to
have me prance around in your shirt? What exactly are you so worried about?”
Xavier’s brows knitted together. “Don’t you think you’re being too calm that it’s rather unusual? This
isn’t like you. Are you hiding something from me?”
“Nope!” Winnie shot her hand up in a gesture of swearing an oath. “I swear I only want to take a
shower. You should also take one. How about I help you?”
“Sure! I’ll go downstairs with you for a shower, then.”
Winnie was rendered speechless. Good Lord! I really can’t get him off me today.
In all the time she had been with Xavier, it was her first time experiencing that clingy side of him. Even
when she wanted to go to the washroom, he insisted on tagging along.
In such a situation, she couldn’t find any opportunity to contact Lucas.
Only when Xavier had fallen asleep in the middle of the night did she get up and go to the elevator
outside to give Lucas a call.
Then, she went back to the house and packed her things before leaving quietly.
Before leaving, she left a note for Xavier, reminding him to seek Sebastian out for acupuncture on time
and promising to contact him as soon as possible.
Finally, she pecked him on the lips lightly. “Xavier, I’ll definitely come back alive with Granny and your
antidote.”
Next, she headed to the top of a mountain on the outskirts of Avenport.
From there, she would be taking a helicopter to the border between Norham in Chanaea and
Manchernius, entering through there.
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