Chapter 91

Lilly's situation was critical. Flames surrounded her, casting sinister shadows on her frightened face. The thick smoke engulfed her, making it difficult to breathe as her lungs struggled with the toxic fumes. Her clothes were scorched and torn, her skin reddened and blistered from the searing heat.

Amidst the chaos, the menacing laughter of her stepsister echoed through the blaze, a haunting reminder of the betrayal that had led to this horrifying moment.

Outside the inferno, Alexander's desperate cries pierced the night, his voice filled with anguish and terror. Their child, Viola, called out for her mother, her innocent voice trembling with fear.

Lilly's body felt as though it was being consumed by the flames, each passing second more excruciating than the last. She knew her chances of survival were slipping away, and a sense of helplessness overwhelmed her as she braced for the worst.

Was this the end for her? She had steeled herself for death, but not like this—not without saying goodbye to the people she loved, to Alexander, the love of her life, and to their child, Viola.

Sweat poured down Lilly's face from the intense heat, her breath growing shallow as her vision blurred. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks as thoughts of the two people she cherished most flooded her mind. What would become of them once she was gone?

Suddenly, she heard faint, terrifying screams. She could no longer hear Alexander's voice calling her name, nor Viola’s cries, and the silence terrified her. Had something terrible happened to them? The memory of Alexander's leg wound filled her with dread.

"Alexander! Viola!" she tried to shout, but her voice cracked, and she coughed from the thick smoke. The screams continued, growing fainter, until they felt distant, almost as if they were coming from within her mind. She heard multiple voices, screams mingled with Alexander's pleading for her to stay with him.

The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was the blurred image of Alexander's worried face, tears rolling down her cheeks as she passed out.

Alexander quickly lifted her and carried her out of the blaze, rushing her to the medical van brought by the rescue team. He placed her gently on the bed inside the van.

"Sir!" the medic exclaimed.

"She’s unconscious and struggling to breathe. Make sure she’s okay, without any complications. Do you understand me?" Alexander's voice was sharp with urgency, causing the doctor to shrink back in fear.

"Y-yes, sir. I will make sure she’s fine," the doctor stammered.

Alexander fixed the doctor with a warning glare. "Do everything you can, or you’ll be among those who won’t survive the night."

Alexander meant every word. He would ensure that those who hurt Lilly and their child would pay, and their bodies would be sent back to their families.

The doctor trembled, his dark gaze leaving him shaking uncontrollably. "I…will…make sure," the doctor stammered again.

Alexander took one last look at Lilly, his heart aching at the sight of her like this. The thought of her trapped in that fire made him clench his fists. His world had nearly collapsed when the flames surrounded her, and he had been ready to dive into the fire to save her. But at that moment, his friend arrived with his men, and they managed to extinguish the flames.

All of Albert and Kate’s men were killed, and Alexander made sure Albert, Kate, and the teacher who dared to take Viola were taken to his underground base, where they awaited their fate.

"I promise they’ll all pay. Just get well soon, for us," he whispered to the unconscious Lilly, kissing her forehead before leaving the medical van.

"Sir, you’re bleeding, and it looks like the wound is infected," the doctor noted, unable to ignore the bullet wound.

Alexander looked down at his injured leg, almost forgetting he had been shot. His mind had been entirely consumed with thoughts of Lilly and their child.

"Focus on her, not me."

"But sir, it could worsen to the point where you might lose the use of your leg," the doctor reminded him. "I’ll have one of my subordinates treat it while I tend to your wife," the doctor offered.

Alexander nodded, allowing them to treat his leg. They took him to another van to care for his wound.

Michael and the others arrived at the forest, where the underground base was hidden. The area was swarming with vehicles and men dressed in black.

They spotted a man exuding authority, much like Alexander, giving orders to some of the men, who addressed him as “Sir” and bowed in respect.

Richard and Ethan exchanged glances, wondering who this man was. They hadn’t seen him before, so who could he be?

They only became aware of Alexander’s plan a few hours ago when Max called to inform them that Viola had been rescued, prompting them to rush to this location. But the sight of the army here puzzled them—was this man someone Alexander had contacted?

"Aren’t you curious?" Ethan asked.

"I am," Richard replied.

"Then let’s find out who this friend of his is," Ethan suggested, starting towards the man, with Richard following closely behind.

Sarah’s first priority upon arriving was to find Lilly and Viola. She spotted Viola first, sleeping in the arms of a young woman she didn’t recognize.

"Viola," Sarah said, approaching the woman holding her.

The woman with red hair looked at Sarah with curiosity, and Sarah returned the look.

"Who are you?"

"Who are you?"

They spoke in unison.

"You go first," the red-haired woman said.

"I’m Sarah, Lilly’s close friend, and you’re holding her daughter, Viola," Sarah explained, pointing to the sleeping child.

The red-haired woman nodded. "I’ve heard of you. I’m Juliana, Antony’s right-hand woman. Since Alexander and Lilly are both injured, I was asked to look after Viola."

"Alexander and Lilly are hurt?" Sarah asked, her voice laced with shock and concern. "Where is Lilly?"

"She’s in the medical van over there," Juliana replied, pointing to the van.

Sarah nodded and was about to leave, but stopped and looked at Juliana. "Did you say you’re Antony’s right-hand woman?" Her heart pounded as she asked, hoping it wasn’t who she thought. It had been five years.

"Yes."

"Where is he? Show me," her heart raced.

"Over there, talking to those two men," Juliana pointed towards Antony.

Sarah slowly turned to look in the direction. Her heart skipped a beat when she recognized him—Antony, the man she knew from five years ago in country C. It was him, in the flesh. The same man she hadn’t been able to forget, even after all these years. The same handsome and dangerous figure.

He stood a short distance away, conversing with Richard and Ethan. That cold look on his face hadn’t changed; he still never smiled.

Sarah stood there, staring at him. He must have felt her gaze because he immediately turned to look at her, their eyes meeting.

She quickly averted her gaze from his sharp eyes, turning around and hurrying towards the medical van.

Her whole body trembled from his gaze, her heart pounding uncontrollably. She couldn’t stay in the same space as him; she wouldn’t be able to bear it. She had thought she’d forgotten about him completely, but she hadn’t.

Wiping away the tears that escaped, Sarah approached the medical van.

"You can’t go in," the two guards standing outside the van told her.

"I’m Sarah, Lilly’s friend. I need to see her."

"Let her in," Alexander’s voice commanded.

The guards stepped aside, and she entered the spacious medical van.

"Alexander, what happened to you, and what happened in there?" Sarah asked, walking over to him and looking at his bandaged foot.

"A discussion for later."

Sarah nodded. "Where’s Lilly?" She looked around but didn’t see her.

"The next van."

"Okay, I’ll go check on her," Sarah said, turning to leave, but Alexander called her back.

"Sarah."

"Yes?"

"Stay with her until she wakes up, and even after she does, don’t let her out of your sight. If she does, you won’t like what I’ll do to you," Alexander warned.

Sarah swallowed nervously, not because of what Alexander might do, but because of the other person. She planned to leave after making sure Lilly was okay; she didn’t want to be anywhere near Antony—he wouldn’t leave her alone. Now that Alexander had asked her to stay with Lilly, it meant she’d have to face Antony.

"Did you hear me?" Alexander asked coldly when she didn’t respond.

Sarah nodded. "I did. I won’t leave her side and will make sure she doesn’t leave mine."

"Good, you can go."

Sarah left the van and headed towards the next one when a hand suddenly grabbed her, dragging her back. She winced in pain from the forceful pull. After regaining her balance, she looked up to see who had grabbed her, and right in front of her stood Antony.

He stared at her with a dark expression.

Sarah swallowed hard and took a step back, but he moved closer.

She tried to retreat again.

"If you take another step back, I’ll cut off your legs and see if you can run from me again," he threatened, his voice filled with anger.

Sarah dared not move again. If he said he would cut off her legs, he meant it.