Chapter 339 Tracking
Joseph let out a cold laugh and snapped the suitcase shut. He picked it up, hopped on the motorcycle he had stashed in the alley for emergencies, and disappeared into the night.
When he reached the area near Lakeside Haven West Factory, he stopped the motorcycle and pulled out his portable surveillance equipment. The screen showed the factory's surroundings—Ethan and his team had already surrounded the place, waiting for Joseph to show up.
Joseph's heart tightened. He didn't know where the leak had occurred, but he realized the plan might have been compromised.
He couldn't afford to linger. He decided to enter the factory through a hidden tunnel he had discovered years ago. Though dark and damp, it would allow him to avoid the encirclement.
Dragging the suitcase, he carefully made his way into the tunnel.
The entrance was concealed by weeds and rubble, almost invisible. Joseph pushed aside a loose stone slab and slipped inside. The tunnel was pitch black, filled with the stench of mold and decay. He turned on his flashlight, the weak beam illuminating the narrow passage.
His footsteps echoed in the confined space, each step heavy with tension. His heart raced, and his breathing grew rapid.
At the end of the tunnel was a rusty iron door. Joseph pushed it open with effort and entered the abandoned factory. The place was eerily silent, with only the sound of the wind echoing through the empty space. He set down the suitcase and cautiously scanned his surroundings, ensuring he hadn't been followed.
Unbeknownst to Joseph, Joshua was quietly trailing him.
Joshua had tracked Joseph through Phoenix's movements.
Phoenix wasn't seen as a significant threat and was easily monitored by others.
But Joseph was different. From the moment Joshua first saw him, he sensed danger.
Before joining the Russell Group under George, Joshua had been a special forces operative. His instincts were never wrong.
Joseph needed to be watched personally by him.
As Joseph entered the tunnel, Joshua followed silently, keeping a safe distance to avoid detection. His movements were light and soundless, blending seamlessly with the darkness. Joshua foused on Joseph's silhouette.
In the tunnel, Joshua used the shadows to conceal himself, moving with utmost caution. He could hear Joseph's footsteps and breathing, noting the man's calm demeanor.
Joshua cursed inwardly, 'Damn it, this guy's a tough opponent!'
Joseph pushed open the iron door and stepped into the factory's interior. The place was dim, with only a few weak rays of light filtering through the broken windows. He scanned the area warily, ensuring he wasn't being followed, then quickly moved deeper into the factory.
Joshua followed closely, silently hiding in the shadows. His eyes remained locked on Joseph, calculating his next move. The factory's complex environment, filled with abandoned machinery and piles of debris, provided Joshua with excellent cover.
Joseph finally entering a concealed room. Inside, Phoenix was waiting anxiously. She frowned slightly when she saw Joseph with the suitcase, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "Why did you bring a suitcase? What's in it?"
Joseph smirked, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Open it and see for yourself."
Phoenix hesitated but then crouched down to open the suitcase. Inside, Seraphine was curled up, her face pale and her long hair disheveled. Phoenix's hands trembled slightly, clearly not expecting to see a little girl.
"Who is this?" Phoenix's voice carried a note of unease.
Joseph didn't answer, just stared at her coldly. Phoenix reached in and gently lifted Seraphine out of the suitcase. Seraphine's body was limp, still unconscious. But as Phoenix placed her on the ground, Seraphine stirred and slowly opened her eyes.
Seraphine's eyes were filled with confusion. She blinked, not fully awake. She looked around, then at Joseph and Phoenix.
Just when Phoenix and Joseph thought Seraphine might start crying, her face showed no fear, only a hint of puzzlement. Her voice was soft and innocent. "Where am I? How did I get here?"
Phoenix was taken aback, clearly not expecting Seraphine to be so calm. She crouched down and asked gently, "What's your name? Do you remember how you got here?"
Seraphine tilted her head, thinking for a moment, then shook her head. "My name is Seraphine. I don't remember. I think I fell asleep."
Her tone was light, as if she had just woken up in an unfamiliar place, completely unaware of the danger. Her eyes scanned the room and suddenly landed on a familiar figure—Lucas. Her eyes lit up instantly, and a bright smile spread across her face.
"Lucas!" Seraphine called out happily. She immediately got up and ran towards Lucas, completely ignoring Joseph and Phoenix.
Lucas looked up at the sound of her voice, surprise and joy flashing in his eyes when he saw Seraphine. "Seraphine, how did you get here?"
Seraphine threw herself into Lucas's arms, hugging him tightly, her face beaming with happiness. "Lucas! I missed you so much! Are these your friends? Did they bring me to find you?"
Her tone was innocent and trusting, completely oblivious to the gravity of the situation. She looked up at them with a hint of curiosity and gratitude. "Thank you for bringing me to Lucas!"
Lucas's expression was complicated. He whispered, "Seraphine, don't be afraid. I'll protect you."
Seraphine blinked, puzzled. "Afraid? Why should I be afraid? Lucas, can we play together now?"
Her voice was filled with anticipation, as if this were all just a game. Her innocence and trust warmed Lucas's heart but also made him more worried for her safety.
Phoenix watched the scene, her frown deepening. She turned to Joseph, her voice tinged with accusation. "What are you doing? Why did you bring a little girl?"
Joseph sneered, his eyes gleaming with madness. "She's not just any little girl. She's Emma's daughter. We need her for our plan."
Phoenix's face turned pale, clearly not expecting things to escalate this far.
Involving Lucas was one thing, but now a child too?
How many more people did this damn Joseph plan to drag into this?
Her heart was filled with conflict and unease, but Joseph gave her no time to think.
"Enough talk, we don't have much time," Joseph said impatiently. "We've been surrounded by Emma's allies. She'll probably be here soon. We need to act now."
Phoenix still didn't know what their next move was supposed to be.
At that moment, Joshua appeared silently at the doorway. His gaze was cold, and he held a knife pointed directly at Joseph. "Game over."
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