Chapter 296: Take Them All Back

“He said he’s sorry and that he’s willing to take all the blame. He was too ashamed to stay in Northolme, so he said that unless something major comes up, he probably won’t be coming back.”

A long silence fell over the line, so long that Nolan Forrester almost thought she had hung up.

After a long moment, Carla Shepherd slowly uttered a single sentence.

“That’s for the best.”

‘After all, she and Frederick Forrester were already divorced. From now on, they were strangers. Where he went and what he did had nothing to do with her anymore!’

The only connection they had left was likely their son.

A marriage of several decades, and now, it had come to this—parting ways for good.

「Meanwhile, in M-Country.」

Hector Garland had disguised himself several times, trying every possible way to find a way out of the country. But the dragnet Jax Blackwood had cast was airtight, making it next to impossible to leave M-Country.

With nowhere left to run, he had no choice but to take a desperate risk and contact Rick Shepherd.

“Boss, Jax Blackwood’s search parties are closing in. You have to find a way to get me out of M-Country.”

Rick Shepherd chuckled, his tone laced with amusement.

“Hector, I’m willing to help you, but you’re so guarded. You even lied about your real location. You’re hardly treating me like an ally.”

“Boss, you’ve misunderstood! I was just worried that Jax Blackwood’s spies would target the people you sent, so I was being extra cautious.”

“Jax Blackwood’s influence is indeed a problem. I’ll arrange for my men to get you to Senvia to lay low for a while. Once I have full control of the Black Dragon Society, I’ll bring you back.”

“What about Seth Shepherd? Is he dead?”

“The situation is unclear. His stronghold is heavily guarded by his subordinates, and everyone going in or out is strictly vetted. Even if he didn’t die on the spot, his injuries are life-threatening.”

Rick Shepherd was more desperate than anyone to confirm whether Seth Shepherd was alive or dead, but his enemy’s defenses were impenetrable. No outsider could get near.

The assassins he’d dispatched were all top-tier, their aim ruthless and precise. The surveillance footage they sent back clearly showed a bullet hitting Seth Shepherd square in the heart. Logically, there was no way he could have survived.

But without confirmation of his death, he didn’t dare make a move. He could only wait for the opportune moment.

“Boss, I’m the one who betrayed Seth Shepherd for you. Many of the old guard inside the Black Dragon Society still have close ties with me. With me to mediate, I can be a huge asset in helping you control the organization.” Hector Garland was deliberately professing his loyalty, reminding Rick Shepherd that he was still useful.

Rick Shepherd understood perfectly. “Don’t worry. Since I’ve arranged for my men to get you, I already consider you one of us. As long as you behave yourself and never betray me, I will keep you safe for as long as I live.”

“Good. Tell your men to find me tonight in the dense forest southeast of Mount Lornwood. Have them blow three consecutive whistles as a signal, and I’ll reveal myself.”

As evening fell, the setting sun turned the sky to molten gold, painting it with the colors of dusk.

Silas Chandler finished a call from his field team and strode into the guest room to report.

“President Hawthorne, Rick Shepherd’s men are on the move.”

Leon Quillan immediately perked up, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

“We’ve been watching them for three whole days. Those guys are finally making a move.”

Jared Hawthorne looked up at him.

“Target location?”

“The dense forest southeast of Mount Lornwood. Our men are already tailing them discreetly,” Silas Chandler added. “The area is heavily wooded and offers excellent cover, making it a perfect hiding spot. However, large predators often roam the forest, so most people wouldn’t dare enter.”

Hector Garland must have been counting on that when he chose to hide in such a dangerous place.

They hadn’t expected him to be so bold.

Jared Hawthorne’s dark eyes narrowed slightly as he gave the order in a low voice.

“Hold your positions for now. Wait for them to make contact, then move in for the arrest during the handover.”

“Understood. I’ll go to the scene to oversee it myself.” Silas Chandler turned to leave.

Leon Quillan hurried after him. “Wait for me! I’m coming with you.”

The sky turned completely dark, and a dead silence fell over the mountain forest.

Hector Garland huddled deep inside a cave, holding his breath and listening intently for any sound.

For some reason, his mind was in turmoil tonight. His right eyelid was twitching nonstop, filling him with a sense of foreboding.

Jax Blackwood’s search parties had already swept the surrounding area and would soon reach his cave. For days, his supplies had been cut off. He drank rainwater when thirsty and ate wild birds’ eggs when hungry. If this dragged on any longer, his body wouldn’t be able to hold out.

All his contact points were under heavy surveillance, so he didn’t dare reach out.

Utterly desperate, his only option was to ask Rick Shepherd for help again.

Even though he couldn’t fully trust him, it was the only gamble he had left.

He was a veteran of the Black Dragon Society, and he was certain that if Rick Shepherd wanted to solidify his position as its leader, he would need the support of old-timers like himself.

After what felt like an eternity of torment, he heard three consecutive whistles from the distance, right on schedule.

Hector Garland immediately shot to his feet and rushed out of the cave. His eyes had adjusted to the dark after days of hiding, and after a short walk, he saw the silhouettes of several people holding flashlights.

“Harry, is Hector Garland really hiding here? You don’t think he’s been dragged off by some wild animal, do you?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Mr. Rick just spoke with him; he’s definitely alive. That wily old fox is an expert in counter-surveillance. He’s not going to get into trouble that easily.”

“Speaking of which, why is Jax Blackwood so set on catching him? Won’t helping Hector Garland escape put us on the wrong side of the Blackwood Family?”

“Keep your voice down! If you attract a predator, I’ll toss you out as bait.”

Listening to their conversation, Hector Garland was now certain that these were the men Rick Shepherd had sent for him.

He stepped out slowly from behind a tree. Several bright beams instantly pinned him, and the men tensed, shouting sharply.

“Who’s there?”

“It’s me, Hector Garland.”

Hearing the name, the men relaxed slightly. The leader, the one called Harry, stepped forward, pulled a photo from his pocket to compare, and after confirming the identity, he spoke.

“We were sent by Mr. Rick. We’re here to take you to Senvia. The boat is ready. Come with us.”

Hector Garland nodded and followed the group out of the dense forest to a van parked on the side of the road.

The vehicle cut through the deep night, speeding toward the coastal docks.

“Mr. Rick had these things prepared especially for you. Someone will be there to meet you when you arrive.”

“You’re not coming with me?”

“Mr. Rick has another mission for us.”

Just as Hector Garland was about to ask what mission, the van screeched to a halt in the middle of the road.

“What’s wrong?” Harry’s expression tensed.

Hector Garland’s head whipped toward the window. Five or six cars had boxed them in, trapping the van.

Seeing how bad the situation was, Hector Garland threw open the door to escape.

The others, realizing the danger, also scrambled out of the van, banding together to fight back and look for an opening to break through.

Seeing this, Silas Chandler and Leon Quillan led their men out, quickly closing in and cutting off all escape routes. Their well-trained subordinates moved decisively, swiftly subduing Harry and his struggling men.

Hector Garland tried to use the chaos to jump the guardrail and escape. But just as he lifted his leg, a bullet pierced straight through his calf, tearing open two bloody holes. Warm blood gushed from the wound, soaking his pant leg and dripping down his ankle to form a dark red pool on the ground.

“AHHH!”

He clutched his leg, howling in agony.

Seeing this, the others’ faces paled, and they fell silent, frozen in fear.

Silas Chandler stepped forward and ordered coldly, “Take them all away!”