Chapter 415

Thaddeus Abernathy had no doubt about Avery Chambers' involvement.

Ever since Avery had re-entered Evadne Ashbourne's life, Thaddeus had been meticulously investigating his ties to the Chambers family, his dealings in Elmsworth, and his activities in Helgen over the years.

Avery was cunning—most classified information remained beyond Thaddeus' reach—but his underworld connections in Helgen and his company, which fronted as a real estate and gambling enterprise while engaging in illicit operations, were no secret. His extensive network, the collusion between officials and businessmen, and the powerful protection he enjoyed had allowed him to thrive.

More alarmingly, Avery had deep ties to the military and political circles in Country T.

Thaddeus was certain Avery had the means to leak information to Country T and orchestrate their silent elimination in the chaos.

Even if the Abernathy and Ashbourne families pursued justice, they'd find no bodies, no evidence—just a dead end.

Cassius Ashbourne noticed Thaddeus' grim expression. "You know who's behind this, don't you?"

Thaddeus exhaled sharply. "Not the time. Let's focus on surviving first."

He couldn't accuse Avery without proof—it would make him look petty and damage his own credibility.

Cassius' eyes hardened. "Tell me."

Like his sister Evadne, Cassius was relentless.

Thaddeus clenched his jaw. "If they're from Helgen's underworld, I can't be sure. But if they're Country T's military... I'm ninety percent certain."

Before Cassius could press further, a voice boomed through a loudspeaker:

"This is a military-controlled zone. Lay down your weapons and surrender, or we will open fire!"

Cassius tensed. "The military?"

He hadn't expected their pursuit of a fugitive to draw Country T's armed forces. Who the hell was this Ward?

Thaddeus smirked bitterly. Avery. It had to be you.

The humid jungle air turned frigid with tension.

"Don't listen to their lies," Cassius warned, eyes sharp. "The moment we surrender, we're dead. I've used these tactics myself."

Thaddeus glanced at him, surprised. President Ashbourne had lived quite the life.

Footsteps crunched on grass. Thaddeus lowered his voice. "They're closing in. I'll draw them left—you take the others and find Ward's hideout."

"No. I won't leave you."

"If we both die here, you'll regret that choice."

"And if you die, how do I face Evadne?"

The standoff was cut short by approaching danger.

"Cassius," Thaddeus said suddenly.

The name struck Cassius like a blade—sharp, painful.

"Evadne told me her family means everything to her," Thaddeus said, locking eyes with him. "Get back to her."

"What about you? Doesn't she love you?" Cassius' grip tightened, his eyes burning. "She spent thirteen years waiting for you. How many more years of grief do you want to put her through?"

Thaddeus smiled bitterly. "After the divorce, I already died once in her heart. If it happens again... she'll move on."

Without waiting for a reply, he bolted into the darkness like an arrow loosed from its bow.

"Thaddeus!"

Cassius could only watch as Thaddeus vanished into the trees, enemies swarming after him like sharks scenting blood.

Thaddeus was the bait, drawing fire away so Cassius and the others could escape.

He was now ninety percent sure Avery had orchestrated this. If so, he was the target. Separating from Cassius gave them a chance.

Branches slashed his arms and face, but he barely felt it. Gunfire and explosions chased him through the jungle.

His combat experience was the only reason he was still alive.

Avery, you'd better pray I don't make it out of here. If I do, your end is coming.

A bullet tore through his left shoulder.

Agony seared through him, sweat drenching his back. Not fatal, but the pain was excruciating.

Country T's language echoed behind him. The gunfire ahead ceased.

"Mr. Abernathy."

Thaddeus turned, jaw clenched against the pain, to face Ward—grinning, submachine gun in hand.

"Didn't expect to see you so soon. Vacationing in hostile territory?"

His men smirked, weapons trained on Thaddeus. To them, he was just a rich fool they could break.

"Surrender, Ward," Thaddeus said coldly.

Laughter erupted. "Catch me yourself, Abernathy. Oh wait—can you even lift that arm?"

Thaddeus didn't flinch.

Ward's smirk faded. "Fine. Keep stalling, and you'll lose that arm."

Before he finished, Thaddeus raised his gun.

The mercenaries tensed, barrels aimed.

Ward arched a brow. Even now, Thaddeus dared to threaten him?

"Shoot me, and you die too," Ward sneered.

"I don't care." Thaddeus' voice was steel. "But believe this—my bullet will blow your head off. Test me."

Ward's face twisted. He'd done his homework. Thaddeus wasn't some spoiled heir—he was a decorated marksman.

"Your life's worth more than mine," Ward taunted. "Die here, and that pretty widow of yours will mourn forever."

Evadne's name was a knife to Thaddeus' heart.

He loved her. He ached for more time with her. But that didn't change his resolve.

A henchman muttered to Ward in their tongue. "Boss said take him alive."

Ward's eyes gleamed. "Rich boy's worth millions in ransom. Capture him!"

Greed lit their faces. Alive, he was a goldmine. Dead? Just a corpse.

Thaddeus seized the opportunity.

He fired, dropping men one by one. But his bullets ran out.

Unarmed, injured, he was at a disadvantage.

Yet he refused to be taken.

Snatching a fallen gun, he fired twice at Ward.

Ward dodged, using a lackey as a shield. The man collapsed, chest bleeding.

"Should've surrendered," Ward spat, raising his submachine gun. "Now you die."

Just then—

A roar of rotors split the night.

"Ward! Touch my man, and I'll skin you alive!"

The voice—clear, icy, furious—rang from above.

Thaddeus' heart stopped.

A white helicopter hovered, a rope ladder dangling. A woman stood on it, silver Desert Eagle gleaming, hair whipping in the wind. Moonlight bathed her, turning her into a radiant, terrifying angel.

No one else could be so breathtaking yet deadly.

Thaddeus' eyes burned. His lips curved.

His woman had come.

His queen had arrived.