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    hapter 671C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    Bruno stood in front of Yvette, his posture perfect, like a soldier awaiting orders. Across from him, Yvette reclined in her ir with her legs crossed


    If there was a chance to sit, she''d take it-Bruno knew that Yvette had always seized the opportunity to take it easy, though he wouldn''t dare say that to her face.


    She narrowed her eyes, her gaze calm yet piercing, like an ice-collke in winter. A faint smirk yed at the corner of her lips as she raised an eyebrow, sending Bruno''s nerves into overdrive.


    Though he had prepared himself mentally to exin, that smug almost mocking smile was enough to unsettle even the bravest of men. His voice cracked. "Please... give me a chance to exin.


    Yvette swung one foot idly, her expression unreadable. "Two minutes, she replied.


    Bruno swallowed hard, knowing those two minutes could seal his fate. Heunched into his defense at breakneck speed.


    He said, "I didn''t realize it was you earlier! If I had, I never would''ve turned my ship around! These past four years, I haven''t eaten or slept properly, always praying you''de back to Spania.


    "If I''d known it was you. I would''ve rolled out the red carpet! Please, believe me. If I''m lying, may I never marry in this lifetime! You''re the person I admire most, Yvette. That''s the truth!"


    His words tumbled out in one desperate breath. He raised his hand as though swearing an oath, forcing sincerity into every syble.


    t moment


    breath. He was certain no pirate could feel more frustrated than he did at that After speaking, Bruno let out a In any case, since he wasn''t nning on marrying anymore, the oath didn''t mean much to him-he might as well swear it. Behind him, the crew lowered their heads in collective shame. They couldn''t bring themselves to acknowledge that the man before them was their pirate chief.


    Bruno''s words were a masterss in audacity-everyone knew he had seen Yvette earlier and had deliberately turned away. Yet there he was, lying so smoothly it was almost impressive.


    Frankie and Chris, watching from the sidelines, exchanged incredulous nces. What they had expected to be a deadly confrontation had instead turned into an unexpectededy show.


    Frankie couldn''t help but wonder, ''How did Bruno even be the head pirate? I''m actually impressed he could say something like that'' Leaning in, Frankie whispered to Chris, "Did you see that? He''s even better at buttering people up than I am."


    A wave of anxiety washed over Frankie. He couldn''t let anyone around Yvette outshine him when it came to ttering people. He thought, Trying to steal my spot? That is not going to happen.


    Bruno nced up at Yvette cautiously, like a man on trial. Yvette''s gaze was fixed or lim, making every second feel like an


    eternity.


    Then, she stood, walked over, and gave him a light pat on the shoulder. Her voice was casual. "Since you''re so eager to see me, I''ll stay a few more days this time."


    Bruno felt his stomach sink. He was torn between wanting tough and wanting to cry, but all he could do was stiffly nod Through clenched teeth, he forced out, "That''s... so... wonderful


    Yvette didn''t expose Bruno, though. She smiled faintly as she studied him, but her tone shifted abruptly, turning cold. "Do


    1/3


    you know why Tm leres


    The change in her tone froze Bruno in his tracks. Instinctively, lie straightened, his expression turning serious. "I swear-1 don''t know," he said quickly.


    "For the past four years, I''ve followed your rules to the letter. I''ve been running my pirate business ethically. When I raid ships, I don''t harm women, children, or the elderly


    Tve done everything you told me to. If I''ve done something wrong, I honestly have no idea what it is!"


    There was genuine frustration in his voice. Yvette''s rules, imposed after her departure years ago, had turned Bruno''s pirate life upside down. Where he once ruled the seas with freedom, he then tiptoed through endless restrictions


    If that kept up, he might have to give up piracy altogether and open a bakery instead,


    A burly, rugged man wearing such a pitiful expression was downright ufortable to watch. Chris and Frankie couldn''t bear to look at him any longer. One of them thought, Why does everyone that Yvette knows seem a little off?


    Yvette showed no emotion. With her hands casually tucked into her pockets, she said coolly, "Wipe that look off your face." Bruno straightened up immediately, erasing his pitiful expression and recing it with a neutral one as if flipping a switch. Chris stepped forward, his tone serious. "Did you hijack several Clusian cargo shipsst week?"


    At the sudden question, Bruno''s posture shifted, his pirate chief authority returning. "Yeah," he replied without hesitation. He then turned to Yvette, frowning. "Are those ships connected to you?


    Yvette''s expression remained neutral, her voice calm. "Yes. Both the people and the cargo. You have one day to release them.


    Bruno nodded quickly. "Okay, I''ll get them released immediately. If I''d known they were yours, I wouldn''t have touched them. Don''t worry-the crew is all confined together. I guarantee no one''s been harmed."


    Behind him, his three closest crew members paled. The haul from those ships was enough to sustain their operations for half a year, and right then, they had to let it all go just because Yvette had said so.


    One of them thought bitterly, ''Isn''t this a bit too reckless and arbitrary?


    But they knew Bruno well-once he made a decision, it was final, All they could do was re at Yvette, their dissatisfaction. clear. Unfortunately for them, she didn''t so much as nce their way.


    Bruno thought for a moment before adding, "Yvette, from now on, I won''t touch Clusian ships in my territory."


    As expected, Yvette''s expression softened slightly. Bruno rxed, relieved that he''d said the right thing. His life was safe for now. Good thing I''m quick on my feet, he thought, breathing a High of relief.


    Meanwhile, his crew members grew even more distressed. Yvette stepped back, her voice steady as she said, "I won''t let you lose everything over this."


    Those words left Bruno ted. A promise from Yvette was worth far more than the Clusian cargo-it could be a lifesaver in


    crisis.


    E


    Frankie stepped forward, shifting the conversation. "Did you run into any Clusian ships today?"


    Bruno hesitated for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. docks and locked up as we speak


    ah Wi-just hijacked one. It''s probably being brought to t


    Frankie and Chris exchanged knowing nces. They likely understood why Jeremiah''s ship, led by him, had been captured so quickly. Jeremiah had probably nned to infiltrate the pirates, free the hostages, and dismantle their operation.


    If he and Emmett found out that the hostages they worked so hard to save could be released with just a casual word from Yvette to Brume, they''d be stumped.


    Yvette narrowed her eyes, her face unreadable. She thought, Jeremiah''s using himself as bait?


    His voice tinged with desperation, Bruno asked cautiously, "Yvette... should I letting go of what they had just seized felt like a knife to the hear


    lease all of them tomorrow? The idea of


    The breeze stirred Yvette''s brown hair as she stood with her hands still tucked into her pockets, a yful smile tugging at her lips. She said. “No need. The ones you captured today-keep them for now."


    Frankie and Chris froze, baffled. They wondered, "What''s going on? Why doesn''t she want Mr. Chavez released?


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