Chapter 440

After neutralizing the two assailants, Evelyn rushed to Rosalind's side, carefully assessing her injuries. "Rosalind, where are you hurt? Show me. Where's this blood coming from?"

Rosalind shook her head weakly. "It's nothing serious. Just some internal bleeding from the kicks to my ribs and stomach. No open wounds."

"Those bastards," Evelyn muttered through clenched teeth.

Rosalind managed a faint smile despite the pain.

Evelyn gave her a stern look. "You're a black belt in taekwondo. And didn't you win silver in collegiate judo? How did two thugs overpower you?"

"You think I wanted to take this beating?"

"Then why didn't you fight back?"

"Because they threatened to hurt you if I resisted."

Tears sprang to Evelyn's eyes instantly. Her heart constricted seeing Rosalind's battered face. Overcome with emotion, she pulled her into a tight embrace. Rosalind's strength was never in question - her vulnerability came from protecting Evelyn.

"Evelyn, I'll be fine. But we need to deal with these bodies now," Rosalind murmured, gently patting her back.

Evelyn released her and glanced at the corpses. Her voice trembled. "Rosalind... I killed someone."

"Don't panic. This isn't Solterra. It's Aldenria."

Evelyn frowned. "Did I break any laws?"

"Quite the opposite. In Aldenria, killing your captors in self-defense might earn you a medal from the government."

"Seriously?" Evelyn exhaled in relief.

"The Castle Doctrine here extends to any unlawful detainment."

Evelyn helped Rosalind stand, whispering, "So legally, I could defend myself against all of them."

Rosalind clutched her ribs, wincing as she eyed the door. "Evelyn, how many rounds do you have left?"

"Just one."

"We're in serious trouble then."

Evelyn leaned close, whispering in her ear. "I sent a distress signal to Liam through the virtual terminal. It'll take about three hours for reinforcements to arrive from the military base."

Rosalind's expression darkened. "They've planted explosives everywhere. If General Blackwood's team comes, they'll detonate them."

Evelyn fell silent.

A thunderous crash shattered the moment as the door burst open. The women recoiled, clinging to each other as several armed men stormed in.

Adrian Castillo entered with his squad, his stormy gaze immediately landing on the corpses. His jaw clenched so tightly the muscles visibly twitched.

In one fluid motion, Adrian disarmed Evelyn, snatching the pen gun from her grasp. "This damn weapon again," he growled. "You escaped last time because of it."

Evelyn shielded Rosalind behind her, maintaining a calm facade. "Your men wanted ransom money, but assaulting women? That's how people end up dead."

Only then did Adrian notice Rosalind's disheveled state, realization dawning about his men's excesses.