Chapter 379

"You truly are Cassandra," Julian Prescott breathed, his shock evident in every syllable.

Cassandra Wright gave a resigned smile. "Victor outsmarts you at every turn. You've got courage but lack strategy, relying solely on brute force."

Julian's eyes darkened, burning with barely contained fury.

His subordinate rushed back with urgent news. "Mr. Prescott, the speedboat is ready."

Cassandra addressed the group calmly. "Don't bother planting explosives. Julian will be leaving this island with us. We'll release him at Valtoria airport."

Hearing this, the subordinate immediately sprinted to disarm the bombs. Liam Blackwood whispered, "Cassie, is everything going according to plan?" Not understanding Valtorian, he could only follow Cassandra's lead as the situation developed.

Security personnel thoroughly searched Julian, confiscating all weapons and devices to neutralize any threats.

"They planned to bomb the speedboat?" Liam sought confirmation.

"Give it a moment. He's disarming the explosives now," Cassandra said, patting Julian's shoulder reassuringly.

She nodded in confirmation.

Soon the subordinate returned, panting heavily. "It's done."

Cassandra and Liam pressed their guns against Julian's temples, escorting him outside.

The island night was eerily quiet, moonlight painting silver trails across their path as they moved toward the docks.

Adrian Castillo and Julian Whitmore, accompanied by armed guards, followed at a distance until they reached the waiting vessel.

Liam turned to Cassandra. "Can you pilot this thing?"

She shook her head. Liam handed her his gun. "No worries. Just shoot if he makes any sudden moves."

Cassandra tensed. Her fingers tightened around the weapon as she aimed it precisely at Julian's head.

As the boat accelerated away from shore, back on land, Adrian suddenly grabbed a subordinate's rifle and took aim at the departing vessel.

Julian Whitmore grabbed his arm, voice shaking. "What are you doing? Mr. Prescott is still on board!"

Adrian roared, "I know Liam Blackwood! The moment they're safe, he'll execute Julian first. Then it'll be our turn!"

Shoving Julian aside, Adrian raised the rifle again.

Julian intervened once more, applying pressure to stop him. "You can kill Julian and Liam, but Cassandra stays unharmed."

With a brutal kick, Adrian sent Julian sprawling. "Your pathetic sentimentality is getting in the way!"

Julian crashed to the ground.

Adrian opened fire, unleashing a hailstorm of bullets toward the speedboat. The deafening gunfire echoed across the water.

"Cassie, get down!" Liam shouted, throwing himself over Cassandra as he guided her to the boat's floor.

The bullets rained down indiscriminately until the magazine emptied with a final click.

Seizing the chaos, Julian Prescott dove overboard.

Cassandra trembled in Liam's protective embrace, her body shaking from the sudden violence. She struggled to steady her breathing.

Frantic, she touched Liam's face. "Liam, are you hurt? Talk to me!"

His breathing was labored, voice rough. "I'm fine. What about you? Any injuries?"

"I'm okay. Who was shooting? They were firing wildly - even at Julian," Cassandra said, still shaken.

"Had to be Adrian."

"Why?"

Liam sighed, resting his head against her shoulder as his strength waned. "He's served beside me for years. Probably anticipated my next move."

"Julian took advantage of the chaos and jumped," Cassandra observed.