Chapter 61

All eyes turned toward Evelyn with bated breath.

Ryan, Adrian, and the special forces operatives gaped at her in astonishment. Never in their wildest dreams had they imagined Evelyn could comprehend Valtorian.

Liam's reaction was most striking. Though his expression remained carefully neutral, the shock in his piercing blue eyes was unmistakable.

After collecting himself, he demanded sharply, "A gram of what?"

Evelyn hesitated, acutely aware this wasn't the place for sensitive discussions. "A gram of the rare element you've been searching for," she finally answered.

A calculating gleam flashed in Liam's eyes before he turned to the pirate captain. "Release her and hand over the item. Then you may leave unharmed."

Evelyn's heart twisted painfully at his words. Even now, he prioritized Victoria's safety above all else.

Swallowing her bitterness, she translated Liam's terms to the pirate leader.

The grizzled captain barked something in rapid Valtorian. "He demands a speedboat," Evelyn relayed.

Liam immediately ordered his men to prepare one.

As the pirate dragged Victoria toward the exit, every soldier kept their weapons trained on him. Evelyn followed closely, serving as reluctant interpreter between the two parties.

At the gangplank, the pirate leader suddenly spoke again. Evelyn translated the fragments she could understand.

Then, in one swift motion, the man produced a small black vial from his coat and hurled it toward Liam. The container spun through the air before landing perfectly in Liam's waiting palm.

Liam clutched the vial with white-knuckled intensity, his gaze burning into it.

"Are you really letting him go?" Evelyn asked bitterly. "Your men could easily take him down."

Liam seemed deaf to her words, his entire focus consumed by examining the vial's contents.

When he finally looked up, his voice was ice. "Tell him he's free to leave once Victoria is safe."

The stark contrast between his tender concern for Victoria and cold indifference toward Evelyn cut deeper than any blade.

He wouldn't risk Victoria's safety for anything—not even when eliminating this threat was well within his power.

As Liam made his choice, disappointment crashed over Evelyn in waves.

She delivered his final message mechanically before fleeing toward the cabins without a backward glance.

Cassandra and Julian intercepted her near the stairwell.

Cassandra brandished the damaged painting like a weapon. "Evelyn! What the hell happened to this? It's ruined!"

Evelyn feigned innocence. "Is it? I wouldn't know. Those pirates terrified me so badly I can barely stand. I need to lie down."

Julian rushed forward, grasping her arm. "Are you hurt? Let me check—"

She wrenched free. "Dr. Whitmore, you're a stranger to me. Kindly keep your hands to yourself."

With that, she disappeared into an empty stateroom.

Cassandra frowned at the closed door. "What's her problem? She looked ready to cry. Was she really that scared?"

Julian's eyes darkened with pain. "She's always been strong... but fragile too."

Cassandra merely snorted and tossed the ruined painting aside.