?


    Emmett could not help but sigh at how tough the world had be. He wondered if gang bosses needed to start grooming their sessors from childhood now.


    Unlike Rodney, who was born an heir and became King of Golden Triangle with Yvette''s support, Bruno was self-made. From joining a pirate crew at 12 to bing the chief of Spaura pirates at 21, Bruno was a force to be reckoned with.


    Jeremiah closed the dossier calmly and ordered, "Direct the ship to the nearest waters to Bruno''s position" Upon hearing that. Emmett nodded. This rescue mission was urgent, and it seemed Jeremiah nned to strike straight at the heart.


    Jeremiah checked his phone and found no new messages. His brows furrowed as his fingers tapped idly on the armrest. Three hours had passed since he had sent a message to Yvette.


    "Why hasn''t she responded? Have I done something wrong? Jeremiah wondered. His gaze darkened as he broke the silence abruptly. "Is themunication signal down?


    Jeremiah''s sudden question startled Emmett, who reflexively shook his head. "No, Mr. Chavez I checked earlier, and the signal is full. I even contacted Chris this morning. Everything''s ne


    Baffled, Emmett thought, ''Mr. Chavez knows the ship uses thetest satellitemunications. How could there suddenly be no signal? Jeremiah''s gaze lingered on the phone before he slowly picked up his cup. "Oh. You''re dismissed."


    Emmett sensed Jeremiah''s mood was off and decided that retreating was the best strategy, Once outside, it hit him- Jeremiah had reached out to Yvette, and she had not responded.


    Tenrge fishing boats were surrounding a medium-sized cargo ship in the Gulf of Araquiel. Inside the cargo hold of the ship sat a rugged man nearing his thirties. He wore a turban, a ck cloak, and sturdy boots.


    The man took bites of meat and sips of wine while surrounded by beautiful women. Nearby, a few men sat, frequently raising their sses, and the sound ofughter echoed in the cabin.


    Just then, a man pushed open the door and entered, kneeling in the center of the room. He reported in the local dialect. "Chief Mersey, the Clusian hostages we captured a few days ago are locked in the dungeon. They''ve been quiet and haven''t,


    resisted."


    Bruno, the man addressed, looked up. Despite his rugged look, his features were not unpleasant, and his clean attire sharply contrasted the stereotypical image of a filthy, unkempt pirate in the movies. He took a hearty swig of wine, his eyes cold and fierce.


    Someone below broke the silence. "Chief, the Clusian are not to be trifled with. If we kill these hostages, we risk provoking them. Their ''humanitarian principles are terrifying"


    At the man''s words, the room quickly buzzed with agreement. “Exactly! Deputy Chief is right-dealing with these Clusian is too risky."


    "Keeping them here will only bring trouble."


    "Yes, that''s right"


    They had plundered countless vessels from various nations operating as pirates near the Gulf of Araquiel for decades. Yet, they typically avoided Clusian vessels because it simply was not worth the trouble.


    Negotiations were challenging, ransoms rarely materialized, and the risks often outweighed the rewards. But this time, a mistake had been made. The pirates had already boarded a Clusan ship before realizing their error.


    ording to their code, they could not return empty-handed. Left with to choice, they detained the Clusian crew and seized the cargo, nning to deal with themter,


    Bruno''s brow furrowed as the voices around him shed like restless waves. Gradually, his expression darkened, and hemanded, "Silence!" The single word carried such authority that the room fell eerily quiet, everyone holding their breath. It was a stark reminder of the fearsome weight Bruno''s presencemanded.


    Bruno toyed with the ss in his hand as he gazed at the man kneeling before him. "Keep a close watch on those Clusian. Well deal with them in three days"


    The man was about to leave after receiving the order when another man wearing a gray hat entered. Like the first, he knelt on the ground and respectfully bowed to Bruno.


    “Chief, we''ve detected a ship approaching. It''ll enter our waters in 30 minutes. Should we prepare for it?” the man in the gray hat reported. Bruno inquired, "Which country is it from?"


    The man in the gray hat nodded. "It''s another Clusian ship, Chiel A low hum of murmurs filled the room moment Bruno''s icy gaze swept across the gathered men, the whispers died like extinguished mes.


    again. but theContent from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Bruno was not eager for trouble, especially now. He waved his hand dismissively. "Let it pass. We''re not raiding them."


    The man in the gray hat clenched his teeth, then ventured hesitantly, "Chief, we''ve confirmed there''s a significant amount of gold aboard that ship. Letting it go would be a waste."


    Upon hearing that, Bruno fell silent. After a long pause, he nodded lightly. "Get ready." The room erupted in a flurry of motion as the promise of gold stirred the pirates like sharks scenting blood.


    For Bruno, a seasoned pirate by trade, the sight of such an immense treasure passing before his eyes without seizing it was simply unthinkable. At Bruno''smand, the surrounding fishing boats and cargo ships sprang to life. Armed with sophisticated gear, the pirates prepared to strike big


    once more.


    Half an hourter, Jeremiah''s ship entered the waters under Bruno''s control. Before long, their vessel was deliberately rammed in a calcted


    move.


    Onboard the ship, dressed in civilian clothes, Jeremiah pulled out a specially prepared radio. Hemanded coldly, "This mission must seed; failure is not an option. The hostages'' safety is our top priority. From this moment forward, you are nothing but ordinary crew members.


    "Do not expose your true identities. When Bruno''s men board, offer minimal resistance and feign capture. Our goal is to infiltrate their ranks and locate the hostages. Follow the n, no deviations."


    The message was received simultaneously by the dozens of operatives aboard. Without hesitation, they smashed their radios and instantly changed their expressions. With hunched shoulder, they blended seamlessly into the guise of a typical ship''s


    crew.


    In the cockpit, Yelena''s gaze sparkled with admiration as she watched Jeremiahmand the scene. Nearby, Emmett frowned in confusion. It was unlike Jeremiah to allow Yelena to stay by his side at such a critical moment. Something about it felt off.


    Emmett frowned, stepped forward to position himself to block Yelena''s line of sight, and said gravely, “General, they''re here."


    Yelena quickly masked the flicker of disdain in her eyes as she thought. This guy, Emmett, sure gets on


    my nerves. If only


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    he could perish on this mission, that would be for the best!


    In reality, Velena was aware of why Jeremiah had brought her along. It was because her father had personally sought out Jeremiah at the First Military District before their departure, bring him to ensure her survival.


    Years ago, Jase owed his life to Yelena''s grandfather–a debt of gratitude that Jeremiah intended to repay. Yelena resolved to keep this truth buried, a secret never to be shared. She thought it''s suspicion might even prove advantageous.