Beatrice couldn't shake off the confusion she had. Just a moment, yes, just a moment, if Jack arrived late, it would be her who would encounter darkness. Fortunately for Uti, Jack's close-range shot hit her shoulder. Although it caused Ute to collapse in a pool of blood, her life still clung to her short-haired body.
The gunshot wound Ute suffered received immediate but makeshift treatment. Jack, especially Sam, needed Ute to speak, even though it was difficult. It didn't matter. Jack never ran out of tricks to make that stubborn woman utter a word. Jack himself, since being informed about what happened, never expected Ute to stoop so low against the Twin Dragons.
He also never imagined how dangerous it was to place Beatrice by Ute’s side. Who would have thought that Ute could betray so thoroughly?
"Are you still scared?" Anne asked as she handed a water bottle to Beatrice. Since then, the girl had been much quieter than usual. Her face was lowered, with her hands interlocked. Anne was sure that the recent incident had truly shaken her.
Anne herself was shaken by the reality. She still doubted Hugo, actually. However, once Uti regained consciousness, where her gaze was no longer friendly, all the horrifying things that happened clearly involved Ute.
"It can't be, right, sis?" Anne asked to confirm.
But what Anne got was the opposite. Ute didn't like it, the way she spat on Anne's side as if Anne's words were just passing by, and the glare of hatred that Anne quickly caught as a pledge that Uti was no longer on the Twin Dragons' side.
"Not really." Beatrice smiled faintly.
"If you feel shocked because of Miss Ute, it's not just you. It's all of us."
Beatrice nodded in understanding.
No one spoke afterward. Before they left the headquarters, after making sure there was nothing else to worry about in the headquarters except for some of Sam's subordinates who needed medical attention, and with the police under Ferdi's command providing escort, everything went as Sam wanted.
There was one more thing Beatrice had to do.
Ute had a mission: to bring Beatrice, dead or alive, to the mastermind behind all these events. Beatrice believed this was the real battle. She had to confront the person who wanted her life. So Sam used a clever tactic as bait. Ute didn't need to speak. It was enough for Anne to uncover all the communication devices that the woman had.
In less than five minutes, Anne could figure out what Ute had to do. And that was what would happen, where Beatrice would clearly be accompanied by two of Sam's trusted men, Hugo and Jack. Meanwhile, Anne would carry out her part as well. But this time, it would take place in one of Alfred's secret rooms.
Yes.
Their main meeting point was Alfred's residence. Beatrice would be used as a tool to squeeze Alfred by the main puppeteer, who desired absolute power. Not held by Jimmy Lee anymore or fully controlled by Alfred. For the mastermind, Jimmy Lee was just a pawn to facilitate all their moves. Unfortunately, Jimmy was too greedy.
There was no need to involve Jimmy Lee in every plan anymore.
If Alfred didn't give up what the mastermind wanted, then Beatrice's death would be the consequence. That was the simple plan, but so meticulously crafted that Sam didn't realize it, plus the chaos created by Gerald, which made Sam completely unaware that he had been infiltrated.
"You have to be brave this time, sis," Anne said, breaking Beatrice's reverie. The journey to Alfred's mansion felt very fast. Was it because Hugo was driving at high speed? Or was it because Beatrice didn't realize that she had crossed the border?
Who knows. What's certain now is that the surroundings have changed. No longer filled with many vehicles passing by, but tall pine trees and winding uphill roads.
"Yeah, I'm sure Brother will protect me." Beatrice smiled faintly. She wouldn't allow this person to achieve their goal. Regardless of whether she was Leora Quassano or Beatrice Catalina, this person had dared to disturb a place she could call home.
"I'm Sam's woman, I'm brave. Just stay calm."
***[]***
Gerald furrowed his brow as the car in front of him turned in a direction he recognized. Jimmy, who was sitting next to him, spoke up, "What's Sam's real plan?" They had entered the car where a bomb was rigged to leave them helpless, with Eland holding complete control over their lives. Paul was driving the car that never strayed far from Ferdi's lead vehicle. Eland's car was right behind them; Jimmy could be certain of that.
"I don't know. The bastard just said to follow Eland's instructions. But why are we heading to Alfred's house?" Jimmy asked.
"Could Alfred be the mastermind behind all of this?" Bella asked incredulously. "If you think about it, we're all cornered because of Alfred. Maybe, to avoid any interference from Jimmy, we're being eliminated. Unbeknownst to him, he made Sam take action?"
Jimmy agreed with Bella's opinion. That woman could be smart at times.
"It's not that simple, Bella," Gerald chuckled. "As long as I've been with Alfred Quassano, from what I know about his way of seeking revenge, he always uses other people's hands. In this case, it's the Eagle Wing."
"But now you're useless, Gerald!" Bella's eyes rolled with frustration. "Get a grip on reality!"
If Gerald could hit this extremely talkative woman, he would have done so already. Unfortunately, he remembered the help Bella provided him yesterday with his injuries. Also, her similar desire to his own at the time. Now? They could only monitor the current situation. Their position was not fortunate. Even if they managed to escape, Eland wouldn't hesitate to press the detonator button, and... Boom! Their bodies would be shattered into pieces.
Not to mention that some members of the Eagle Wing didn't fully support Gerald. Alfred's power and authority were absolute and shouldn't be underestimated. Most of them wanted a safe position and didn't want to deal much with the Quassano family. It's damn frustrating! Loyalty to Gerald was only measured by the power of money.
"Enough. Let's observe the situation." Jimmy said with annoyance. "Their car has stopped, Paul."
Paul nodded as he positioned himself not far from the car in front. They were ready to get out because all the members were the same. Each of them was armed with sufficiently dangerous weapons. Then Ferdi's instructions were promptly followed; they started creeping into the forest, which was still quite far to pass through if their destination was Alfred's mansion.
"Move, all of you," Eland ordered, pointing his gun. "Or do you want me to execute you now?"
Gerald growled in frustration but could do nothing except follow their movements. The same went for Jimmy, Paul, and Bella. They had no choice.
"Is Sam being reckless?" Ferdi approached Eland, who slightly relaxed his posture. Two swords that were always loyal on his back never left their place. Eland furrowed his brow at Ferdi's seemingly funny question.
"I feel like they could attack us, Eland."
"They're outnumbered. Besides, they wouldn't dare to mess with us. I've placed nano bombs on each of their clothes." Eland smirked proudly. "I won't let those who dare to disturb the Twin Dragons go free, Ferdi."
Ferdi could only shake his head in astonishment. "I received a report that the traitors in the headquarters have been neutralized. I don't understand the situation, Eland. Can you clarify?"
"So much talk!"
"What's so difficult about sharing the story? So that I know whose side I should defend."
"Obviously, it's Sam. Which side are you on?" Eland snapped, his eyes glaring sharply. "Or did you suddenly become a traitor?"