Chapter 277: There’s an Ambush

Asher Keating and his men had originally planned to wait until everyone was there before taking action. But the situation escalated too suddenly. Two of the men who had already arrived went down into the cabin and spoke with the imposters below. When they sensed something was wrong, they flipped on the lights, and in an instant, both sides started fighting.

“It’s an ambush!”

The moment those words were out, the deck erupted into chaos. Asher Keating cursed. Seeing Morgan Sterling dragging Leah Sinclair away, he disregarded everything else and charged in that direction.

“Cast off! Cast off!”

The men on the opposite boat started yelling. Sean Yates, closest to Asher Keating, knew his intentions the moment he moved. One after the other, they rushed onto the gangplank, using their momentum to lunge onto the other boat. The opposing vessel had already started moving, and by the time Victor and the others tried to follow, it was too late.

The men on the other boat clearly hadn’t expected anyone to make it across. By the time they reacted, Asher Keating and Sean Yates were already locked in a brawl with two of them.

Morgan Sterling, holding Leah Sinclair hostage, tried to drag her toward the cabin. Leah struggled fiercely. Enraged, Morgan pulled out a knife and pressed it against her neck, yelling, “Asher Keating!”

Seeing this, Asher Keating immediately stopped fighting. He watched Morgan Sterling, breathing heavily. Sean Yates also froze, not daring to make another move. For a moment, the deck fell silent, with only the sound of the wind howling past.

The two opponents were mercenaries, but they were unarmed. Asher Keating and Sean Yates had also trained in combat, and both sides had sustained various injuries during the scuffle.

Now, seeing that Morgan Sterling had Leah under control and that Asher Keating and Sean Yates no longer dared to make a move, the two mercenaries immediately unleashed a barrage of kicks and punches on them.

“Mmmph…”

Leah’s eyes were red-rimmed as she struggled desperately. Morgan Sterling shouted for them to stop. Asher Keating and Sean Yates had only been able to shield their heads, leaving the rest of their bodies exposed. The two men knew just where to hit to inflict the most pain.

Asher Keating pushed himself to his feet and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. “Morgan Sterling, let Leah go.”

“I’m curious. How did you find us?”

Morgan Sterling glared fiercely at Asher Keating. He didn’t think there were any flaws in his plan. No matter how smart Asher and his team were, it should have been impossible for them to find him so quickly, let alone set up an ambush on the other yacht.

Hugh Sterling’s heart tightened, his hands trembling slightly. He was terrified that Asher Keating would mention the text message. But Asher simply snorted coldly, “You think that was hard to figure out?”

“Oh, really? Then why don’t you tell me how you figured it out.”

“Let Leah go, and I’ll tell you.”

“Ha! Asher Keating, what makes you think you’re in any position to negotiate with me? Leah Sinclair is in my hands. All I have to do is make one little slice…” As Morgan Sterling spoke, he lifted the knife slightly.

The sharp blade immediately drew a line of blood on Leah Sinclair’s neck. Her eyes squeezed shut for a moment. The sight of the crimson blood stung Asher Keating’s eyes.

“Don’t do anything rash! I’ll talk.”

Asher Keating pursed his lips and began, “When you called me, I heard the sound of waves in the background. Plus, after you escaped, the police set up checkpoints at highway entrances, train stations, and airports. That’s when I figured you must be escaping by water.”

“Of all the docks in Riverfall, this one is the most suitable for hiding. We checked the surveillance footage for this area and spotted your men going ashore for supplies. Their movements were too conspicuous, like mercenaries. Once we confirmed you were here, we followed that trail to this yacht. After we got on board, we forced them to give us the code word.”

Asher Keating explained everything in just a few sentences. Only when he uttered the last word did Hugh Sterling feel his heart settle back into his chest. ‘Thank God, thank God. Asher didn’t say a single word about it.’

Morgan Sterling studied Asher Keating with a scrutinizing gaze. Asher met his look calmly, and Morgan gradually began to believe the story.

‘Indeed, finding this place was only a matter of time. Asher Keating has always been clever; he just sped up the process.’

Asher Keating’s hands were trembling slightly. His chest ached fiercely, and he wondered if a rib had been broken when he was being beaten earlier.

Taking a deep breath, he tried to keep his voice steady. “I’ve said my piece. Morgan Sterling, my previous offer still stands. As long as you let Leah go, I’ll give you money, arrange a new identity for you, and I can even get you out of here safely.”

“Heh, hahaha! Asher Keating, do you take me for a fool? If I’m not mistaken, Shawn Grant isn’t on the yacht. He must be the one chasing us from behind, right?” Morgan Sterling laughed mockingly.

As if to confirm his words, everyone on deck heard the roar of approaching speedboats. One of the men ran to the stern to look. Two speedboats were rapidly closing in.

“Damn it! Two speedboats, and there are other boats closing in from the sides!” the man yelled.

“Call Shawn Grant! Tell him to stop, or I’ll kill Leah Sinclair right now!” Morgan Sterling shouted, dragging Leah closer to the edge of the boat.

“I don’t have my phone.”

Asher Keating turned his pockets inside out to show Morgan Sterling. He really hadn’t brought his phone after changing his clothes. Sean Yates also gestured that he didn’t have a phone.

“Hugh Sterling, give him your phone.”

Hugh Sterling flinched, then took out his phone. He walked over slowly and, while still some distance from Asher Keating, tossed the phone to him.

Asher Keating caught it. He hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Morgan Sterling. “I don’t remember Shawn Grant’s number. Leah definitely does. Let her tell me.”

Morgan Sterling considered it, then tore the tape from Leah Sinclair’s mouth.

Leah coughed a couple of times, her lips trembling as she called out, “Asher.” Asher Keating looked at her, a reassuring glint in his eyes. “Don’t be afraid. Tell me Shawn’s number.”

“138-5282-6…” Leah recited a string of numbers. As soon as she finished, Morgan Sterling sealed her mouth with tape again.

“Put it on speaker,” Morgan Sterling said coldly.

Asher Keating turned on the speakerphone. After two rings, Shawn Grant picked up. “Morgan Sterling?”

“It’s me, Shawn. Tell them to stop. Don’t pursue.”

“What? Asher, I…”

“Listen to me! If you keep chasing, Morgan Sterling will kill Leah right now! Tell everyone to back off, now!”

Asher Keating cut Shawn Grant off. There was a long silence on the other end of the line. Finally, Shawn gritted his teeth and said, “Fine.” After he spoke, the sound of the speedboats died down. The man at the stern raised his hand, signaling that the other boats had indeed stopped.

“There. What else do you want?” Asher Keating tossed the phone back to Hugh Sterling and stared coldly at Morgan Sterling.

“What I said before. Your life.”

“And I’ve said it before, too. Let Leah go, and my life is yours.”

“Sir!”

Sean Yates cried out. Leah, her eyes red, shook her head frantically at him. ‘No, this is wrong. How can I let Asher trade his life for mine?’

“Hahaha! Asher, I really feel like applauding you. Do you know what I hate most about you? It’s that you’ve always been so self-righteous, so high-and-mighty, ever since we were kids! What, not afraid of death? Do you think you’re being noble? Being great?”