Erin replied calmly, "I'm from Red Deer's band. My brother's Number 056 from District D. He hurt his hand and couldn't use his gun, so I'm standing in for him for the night."She had already practiced saying this a thousand times before tonight, just in case she was found out.Cyrus' gaze lingered on her. "Do you know why Red Deer isn't participating tonight?""I'm not too sure, sir. But I did hear from my brother about them being sick …""Hm." Draco had reported the same earlier. "Has your brother ever met Red Deer?""No, sir."Then a minute of silence followed.Finally, as if tired of this interrogation, Cyrus waved her off. "Alright. Out you go.""Yes, sir."Just when she was about to leave, Cyrus suddenly said, "Wait."Erin swallowed her pounding heart and turned around. "Yes, sir?""Keep a close eye on those three participants, y'hear? One f*ck up and it's your life on the line.""Of course, sir. We won't take our eyes off 'em!""Alright. Scoot."Erin nodded and left
Three days later, Chandler and Erin made it back home safely. Osborn was also alerted of Noah's disappearance. Meanwhile, news outlets all across the world alerted the public of the discovery of an island packed with more than a hundred dead, charred bodies, none of which were identifiable at the moment.The only reason the navy was able to find this island was because of Draco's anonymous tip. He'd wanted to permanently cut off ties with the club.Chandler had never seen Draco's true appearance, as the man never took his mask off. Erin didn't push him either. Yet, Chandler had come to know who he was and knew this man was once close friends with Paulo Eastwood himself."If you ever need help, you know where to find me," Chandler had told him before leaving the ship.Noah was now an internationally wanted criminal. Chandler and his men's testimonials were more nails in that head, claiming he was the one who'd tipped the police about the island's existence. Hopefully, Cyrus believed
Both Chandler and Erin turned to the bed in shock."Dad, you're awake!" Chandler cried excitedly.Quentin had pushed himself up from the bed by now. He sighed, "Yes, I have been all this while.""But why?" Erin frowned."Erin—I haven't yet, but thank you. Thank you so much for saving my son. Thank you—" Quentin even wanted to stand up to go to her."Of course, Dad. I love him."The man put on some slippers and went over to Erin, gently holding her hand in his before walking to the couch. When all of them had sat down, Quentin asked, "I actually planned this with Alan. It was all faked …""... Because of Evelyn?"A look of disappointment surfaced on Quentin's face. "Your mother's changed a lot, Chandler …"He couldn't help but laugh bitterly."Your mother was the sweetest, kindest woman when I first met her. Who'd know three decades could make such a difference? I barely recognize her anymore … I've been terrified something might happen to you two these days. I spent the night
Chandler would never have imagined Erin's statement to protect him would come true in less than an hour. She had taken a sniper's shot for him!Knowing they had no second chance, the sniper immediately retreated from his hiding spot, Chandler's guards hot on his tail."Chandler—send her to the ER!" Alan cried; he was the only one calm in the current situation.Chandler gathered his wife in his arms and ran into the hospital, tears falling down his eyes. He bit on his lip to try not to weep. All that mattered now was saving Erin.Behind him, his guards swiftly followed him into the building.…Ten minutes later, Chandler remained pacing anxiously outside the ER, having been stopped from entering for the fifth time.Alan had promised him that his doctors would do all they could to save Erin. They couldn't have Chandler inside the operating theater lest he disturb the surgeons.Chandler was now deathly pale, his heart pounding anxiously as time ticked on.This was the first time
With that, Chandler turned and left.Indeed, he did have the urge to give Alan a good beating just now when Erin got shot. He even wondered if Alan was on the sniper's side.But still, he chose to believe Alan's loyalty on account of their years of friendship.This didn't mean he believed Alan fully.Anyone was a potential suspect right now.…Fifteen minutes later, Erin was transferred into a private ICU, quarantined from everyone else.Chandler watched on silently from outside, heart in his throat.Erin's willingness to sacrifice herself had touched him like no one ever had. This was the second time she'd risked her life to rescue him.Chandler's heart was both warm and in pain at the same time.This woman had said she'd love him—he never expected she'd do so with her own life at stake.If the bullet had gotten just a bit closer to her heart, Chandler would've lost her forever.Chills ran down his spine at the thought. Heck, his shirt had been soaked through with sweat si
Ian's words had Chandler asking, "How did you know that Erin took a bullet for me? Who told you?" "This isn't exactly a secret. Of course, I know." Ian kept a fixed gaze on Erin lying motionless on the hospital bed. Guilt surfaced in his heart."Hah … You want me dead, don't you, Ian Sloan?"Ian's eyes darkened at Chandler's straightforward words. The former didn't bother gracing the latter with a look. He simply smiled wryly. "Have you done something that you shouldn't have done, Chandler? Do you want me to kill you to absolve you of something?""Think it through before you make a decision, Ian, lest you dig your own grave." Chandler avoided eye contact with him.Ian shifted his gaze away from the bed and turned to leave the ward. When he opened the door, he said, "Erin is going to leave you one day. And I'll be waiting for that day to come." His words made Chandler's face turn even darker. Ian was becoming an increasingly unbearable thorn in his side.After Ian left the ho
Ten minutes later, the boy, Engel, entered the ward with the sniper.Two rows of uniformed bodyguards were positioned at the entrance of the ward.Quentin was also in the ward. Tears of joy filled his eyes when he learned that Erin was alright. He had come to care for her as if she were his daughter.Five minutes ago, Erin revealed Engel's true identity.Engel was one of Draco Powell's most outstanding bodyguards. He usually worked from the shadows to protect Draco. After Chandler and the others escaped from the island, they went their separate ways. Before Draco left, he informed Erin that he would send one of his own men back to the country with them. Draco was afraid Noah would betray Chandler and reveal his true identity. He also feared Cyrus would send his men to assassinate them. That was why he dispatched Engel—his genius bodyguard.Engel's might alone was equal to that of ten ex-special forces bodyguards. It showed how exceptional he was, making him stand out against the
Early the next morning, the bodyguards gave Kyle a call. Kyle then relayed the message to Chandler that Blood Red had left the city. But the mastermind behind the plot never made an appearance. It was as if they had already known that Blood Red was being tracked.The case was temporarily put on hold.As for the assassination attempts, Ian and Noah were still prime suspects.There was still no news about Noah. The Interpol had not provided any information either. Erin and the others were still high-strung, while the man remained nowhere to be found.Thus, the family went about their lives in disguises.Quentin, to elude Evelyn, left for Seaside City to look for his younger brother, Andrew. The authorities overseas had begun working on deporting Evelyn.Evelyn's surviving husband, Walter Gabelman, learned the news. He then told her about the deportation. It was tense in the home she shared with her two children. All three of them sat gloomily in the living room."Mom, Elina, and I