"He's scared stiff!

", With a shout from Henrik, the pitch-dark room suddenly flooded with light., There stood Henrik not too far off, a sinister smirk playing on his lips., Just as I suspected, this was his setup all along. There was never an easy escape., And now, by attempting to flee, I had undoubtedly irked him further., Without a second thought, I yanked the person pulling me to stand protectively in front of them., Henrik's voice chimed in then,

"Ernest, have you really become so weak that you need a woman to shield you?

", Ernest? Was he referring to Ernest? But where was Ernest?, As the person I'd pulled behind me moved forward, accompanied by a voice I couldn't mistake, I spun around in shock. There, standing by my side, holding my hand, was indeed Ernest. How could it be him? Wasn't it Jefferson who had been pulling me?, My gaze flicked between Ernest and Henrik in confusion and disbelief. Ernest, however, met Henrik's stare with a steely resolve,

"I wouldn't want to embarrass you today, so step aside.

" His words carried an unexpected assertiveness. I wondered where he found such confidence., Henrik let out a laugh,

"Ernest, you're not naive enough to think I staged this whole event just to let you walk away, especially with her in tow?

", Ernest's jaw clenched, but he remained composed.

"Then you should also be aware that if I dared to come here, I can surely leave the same way.

", Henrik smirked,

"Well then, let's see how you plan to leave my presence, and with a lady no less?

",

"What if you're not in his way?

" Conrad's voice echoed from behind Henrik, signaling that Henrik was now surrounded., So, that's why Jefferson was confident in getting me out. They had their plans too., Henrik, unfazed, continued to smile,, then signaled to someone by his e, side, who quickly spoke up,

"Ernest, maybe you should check the ceiling before you say more.

", Following his cue, Ernest and I looked up to see a video projected on the ceiling. It showed Susie and Mack trapped in a room., My heart skipped a beat, and I lashed out at Henrik,

"Is kidnapping women the only trick you know?

", Henrik ignored me, focusing instead on Ernest. I turned to see Ernest's expression unchanged when Yolande's voice cut through,

"Susie, Mack, come with me.

" Looking up again, the video now included Yolande, standing over two men in black sprawled on the ground., Yolande had taken down Henrik's guards. Once more, she had taken me by surprise., Applause broke out from Henrik,

"Ernest, you're just as formidable cas you were four years ago. Not only in tactics but in wit as well, playing such a deceptive game.

" ,

"If you know what's good for you, then get lost,

" Ernest said with a rare glimpse of menace., Henrik shook his head, saying,

"Ernest, we've been at this standoff for four years. If you think I'll let you win that easily, how could I face anyone again?

", His words confirmed my suspicion that there was a long-standing feud between him and Ernest, and now, it had somehow involved me., It seemed Ernest held the advantage for now, but from Henrik's tone, he might have another trick up his sleeve., Though unsure of Henrik's plans, my, anxiety surged. Trying to suppress my nervousness, I blurted out,

"Henrik, whatever beef you have with, Ernest, settle it between yourselves., Why drag me into it?

", It's not like I was just trying to save my own skin. By keeping my distance, maybe I could cut down on the distractions for Ernest., His insistence on escaping with me made it clear he intended to rescue me., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.