Chapter 82: The Rescue!

While Bella, DK and the others struggled to survive in the unpredictable wilderness, In New York their team did everything they could to pressure the authorities to intensify the search. Time was running out, and the delay in the rescue operations was starting to make everyone uneasy. Miller, the group's hacker, decided to take action. Without authorization, he hacked into the aviation system to search for information about the plane's disappearance. He still had doubts about a detail that no one seemed to take seriously.

"Don't you think it's strange that the co-pilot had a 'stomach ache' right when boarding?" he asked, as he furiously typed on the keyboard.

"What are you insinuating, Dan? That he manipulated the plane's instruments before leaving?" Luke replied in a mocking tone, drawing laughter from the others.

But Mackenzie, always more observant, remained thoughtful. "Did you manage to pull his file, like Susan asked?"

"So far, nothing suspicious. I didn't look into it too deeply because we were focused in other activities." 

"Then do it now. Get his picture into the national database." 

Miller hesitated. "Mackenzie, shouldn't we be prioritizing finding our female boss instead of playing detective?"

Luke nodded. "Exactly. We're wasting our time." Mackenzie didn't back down.

"Don't you realize this guy could be the key to everything? And if, by chance, Bella didn't survive, don't you want someone to blame?" Luke's face grew serious, the teasing gone from his face. "Even if she did survive, I'm going to want revenge on someone." 

Diaz chimed in with a suggestion. "Two of us should go after that co-pilot, just in case."

"I agree. Josiah, you go with him." Mackenzie pointed to Diaz, and they both left immediately, with the suspect's address in hand, courtesy of Miller. They arrived at a simple house in a neighborhood near downtown Manhattan. They knocked on the door several times, but got no answer. A neighbor, as she left her house, noticed them and decided to help.

"Hey, stop knocking. There's no one there. The guy who lived there for three months moved out two days ago."

Josiah and Diaz exchanged an incredulous look. They thanked the woman and got back in the car.

"Mackenzie, looks like you got it right." Josiah spoke over the cell. "The co-pilot left exactly two days ago, the same day the plane crashed."

"Shit! Who is this guy, anyway? Go back to the warehouse. We have news too."

When they returned, they were greeted by Miller, who brought some exciting new information:

"They haven't found the aircraft yet, but they have located traces of people on a deserted island in the North Atlantic, near the Bahamas. A rescue team will be sent tomorrow."

"And what are we going to do about it?" Madenzie asked, straight to the point.

"Infiltrate the rescue team, of course." Miller replied, proudly showing off some fake access cards he had prepared.

"You're a genius," Mackenzie acknowledged. "But who's going to stay here coordinating everything?"

Simon raised his hand. "I can stay. I'm afraid of heights."

Luke, ever the provocateur, didn't miss the chance. "I knew that cocky act was just a facade. Simon prefers to stay in the back!"

The group laughed, but Makenzie shook his head in exasperation. "When are you going to grow up, Luke?" He rubbed his fingers between his eyes, trying to keep calm.

As the provocations continued, the infiltration plan began to take shape. For them, the risk didn't matter. Saving Bella was the absolute priority.

While Bella's subordinates were hatching an audacious plan to rescue their sovereign leader, on the other side, DK's men were also on the move. They frantically searched for information, determined to find the whereabouts of their leader. However, before they could move forward, Ed arrived at the mansion with news that no one wanted to hear.

"Rebecca and Johnny have allied themselves. They spread out that the mafia's sons are dead, and from now on, they're in charge. This news is spreading fast. Everything has become chaos."

"What do you mean?" someone asked, indignant. "What are we going to do now?"

"Everyone, stay calm!" The firm voice of Enrico Grasso, the sub-chief of the operation and the housekeeper's son, echoed through the room, imposing order. "We'll find the coordinates of where the plane disappeared and go after them. We need to act fast."

"Welcome, brother!" 

"Thanks, Henry! Edward, you go back to the streets and spread the word that DK may be alive. Any rash action will be treated as treason. Understood? In the meantime, we'll infiltrate the aviation agency and do whatever it takes to bring our leader back."

While DK's team was still trying to gather the exact coordinates, Mackenzie, Miller and Luke had already managed to infiltrate the official rescue operation plane. During the flight, however, the curiosity of one of the firefighters began to raise suspicions. She watched the trio with a suspicious look. "Are you new here? I don't remember your faces." Luke opened his mouth to answer, but Mackenzie, took the lead. "We're from New York, Captain. Didn't they tell you that we were coming to help?" "Yeah... I guess so. If they sent you, you must be as good as us."

"You bet." Mackenzie smiled, and Luke relaxed again, while Miller continued to pretend that it wasn't his problem. The plane landed on one of the islands near the Bahamas. From there, they continued by boat to a point where important traces were found: marks of a bonfire, a word written in the sand — "Help!" — and an arrow pointing towards the interior of the island. "Let's split up and search. You three" — the captain pointed to Mackenzie, Miller and Luke — "go left. We'll go right."

The walk began, and soon they noticed footprints in opposite directions. With no other choice, they continued following the marks on the ground. After a while, Miller began to complain.

"They could have stayed on the beach, right? It would have made the rescue easier."

"Daniel,you don't know what happened in those four days. Maybe they had to move away to find water or food."

Luke, didn't miss the chance. "Get back to the gym, bro. You'll get in shape in no time. You sound like a complaining grandpa."

Miller made an unfriendly gesture to Luke, but continued in silence.

They continued moving forward until the sound of running water grew louder, accompanied by voices. Luke stopped and asked anxiously: "Is that them?" Without waiting for an answer, he began to shout: "Miss Hahn?"

Bella stopped what she was doing and, upon hearing her name again, answered loudly: "I'm here!"

Minutes later, Mackenzie, Miller and Luke arrived at the camp and observed how well the group had managed. Miller, out of breath, smiled as he approached.

"Time to go home, boss."

"Yeah. And you definitely need a gym." Bella smiled, introducing the men to DK and Oliver, who were still watching everything suspiciously. "These are three of the best in my elite troop: Miller, Mackenzie and Mr. Young."

Luke couldn't help himself: "I thought I'd never see a Hahn and a Kicher cooperating. This is historic."

"Well, you can get used to it," DK replied dryly. "In case you didn't know, I'm Theo's biological father."

Luke frowned in surprise. "Wait a minute... the ex-boyfriend and the current one, traveling together? Miss Hahn is really cool."

"Luke, shut up!" Bella cut in, irritated. "Dylan came on his own, I didn't invite him. And for your information, Dr. Carter is no longer my boyfriend. Now can we go?" Mackenzie took the opportunity and whispered to Miller: "If they broke up, you, Josiah, Sean and Charles owe me a hundred dollars." "I warned you not to bet. That doctor is too pleasant, he doesn't suit our queen," Luke commented in a low tone, but DK and Carter heard and reacted in very different ways.

Back on the rescue plane, everyone was examined by the doctors. The wounds were properly treated, and Susan finally received the appropriate medication and rehydration serum.

"You were lucky to have Dr. Carter with you," praised one of the doctors, impressed with his colleague's good work.

While they were being treated, Mackenzie discreetly approached Bella and sat next to her. "Miss Hahn, we have a lead on the co-pilot. We suspect he sabotaged the plane."

Bella frowned. "What do you mean sabotaged? Are you telling me he tried to kill me?"

"Exactly. We went after him at the apartment he was renting, but we discovered that he moved out exactly on the day of the accident."

"Daniel, were you able to find out who he really is?"

"Josiah and Simon are investigating. We'll have answers soon."

DK, who had been listening to the conversation attentively, frowned, intrigued. Before he could question, Miller's cell phone rang.

"Hey, Josiah. Did you find out anything?"

"Yes. The computer pulled up the data. The co-pilot's real name is Dean Sanders, and I found out he was once subordinate to... Dylan Kicher."

Bella stared at DK, still holding the cell phone. Her gaze carried a mix of anger and distrust. DK, not understanding, asked:

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Bella crossed her arms and returned the question, her voice sharp as a blade:

"Do you, by any chance, know Dean Sanders?"