Chapter 135 Feigning Incapacity
Simultaneously, Julian and Charles turned to Paige, their faces mirroring the same question. "Not walk?" they echoed.Paige elaborated, her voice steady and sure. "The terrain is ensnared by mountains. We can't fly low, so we'll fly high. If we can't reach our destination by foot, then we won't walk at all!"Julian was quick to grasp the implications of Paige's audacious plan. His immediate response was one of concern. "Xanthe, do you comprehend the sheer height of this mountain?""I do," Paige responded, her voice unflinching. "I've already studied the data."Julian pressed on, "If you're aware of the mountain's height, then you must also understand the potential fatality of this endeavor."Paige, however, remained unruffled, her demeanor as calm and composed as ever.Charles, too, grasped the seriousness of the situation. "Madam," he queried, "you're not suggesting we ski down the mountain, are you?""Find the best skier among us," Paige insisted, undeterred.Charles' mouth fell open in astonishment, wide enough to accommodate an egg. He turned to Paige, his voice heavy with concern. "This... This height is truly lethal.""That's precisely why I want the best skier. If we're short-staffed, we'll hire externally, seeking out the most skilled skiers available. Even if they lack finesse, as long as they can handle a firearm, they'll suffice. Raymond is still trapped, waiting for my rescue. Mrs. Sackler's antidote is also there, waiting for me to retrieve it. If we continue to dawdle here instead of taking immediate action, the more time we squander, the greater the peril he faces," Paige explained, urgency tingeing her voice.Charles took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding in a hushed tone, "If Raymond knew of this, he would never permit you to take such a risk.""That's because you're unaware of what the other side demands in return. Julian, make the necessary arrangements," Paige commanded.Julian studied Paige, the resolve in her eyes telling him that any attempt to dissuade her would be in vain. He abandoned his objections."I'm an exceptional skier; I can lead the team," he offered, hoping to provide some reassurance.Paige felt a slight relief at his support. She nodded in acknowledgment, but then stated, "No need, I'll lead the team."Pearl, who had been silently observing, immediately protested upon hearing Paige's decision. "No, you can't proceed this way, it's far too perilous. Let Julian lead, or anyone else for that matter. Xanthe, you can't disregard your status, your significance."Paige was acutely aware of her position's importance, but she also knew that without her, they wouldn't be able to accurately track down their adversaries. No one else was as familiar with the situation as she was. Even if someone else reached the destination, could they locate the small building? Could they find Raymond?Only Paige's presence could ensure the mission's highest chance of success."I won't die that easily. It's settled," Paige declared firmly. After finalizing her preparations, she confidently announced, "I've memorized the map. Instead of traversing Echo Peak, we'll fly around to another mountain and descend from there."Paige's exceptional sense of direction had allowed her to commit the landscape's layout to memory. The snow-capped peak she had chosen was located behind the cabin concealed within the mountain hollow. This roundabout route was the least likely to draw attention.At this point, Charles stepped forward. "I'm also an accomplished skier and can guide a few others with me." He felt compelled to participate in the rescue; after all, Raymond was still a hostage, and Charles couldn't bear the thought of any mishap occurring in his absence.Paige concurred with his plan and directed the team to prepare the finest ski gear. After a quick breakfast, she changed into her gear, donned a hat and mask, and they discreetly exited the estate through the back door, making their way towards the helipad.They planned their operation for dusk when the sun was setting. An early move would make their descent over the snowy slopes too conspicuous. At dusk, the dimming light would still provide sufficient visibility, making them less noticeable.During the day, Paige used a plane to scout the area from a high altitude, then continued to survey the chosen mountain's backside by flying low.Pearl, also on the plane, continued to plead with Paige to reconsider, emphasizing the real danger they faced if the plan went awry. But Paige was resolute.As Pearl urged caution, Paige turned to her, her voice steady and confident. "I haven't forgotten who I am for a moment. I dare to lead because I am confident in our success."
Pearl's skepticism was evident as she voiced her doubts. "I don't recall seeing any ski training in your records," she said, her tone hinting at disbelief.Paige merely responded with a faint smile, countering, "Are you sure your copy of the records hasn't been altered? Did Cecil West not try to stop me?"Pearl was taken aback. Could it be that Paige had hacked into the computer and altered her records before Pearl had the chance to access them? If Paige had indeed breached Pearl's computer, Cecil West would undoubtedly be aware of it. Could it be that Paige was, in fact, a proficient skier?There was no time to dwell on this revelation. Paige swiftly instructed Pearl, "Wait for my flare. When you see it, the helicopter can come down and pick all of us up."Paige was to spearhead the descent and secure the hostage, while Pearl was tasked with covering their extraction. Now that Pearl was convinced of Paige's capabilities, she nodded in reluctant agreement.As dusk fell, Paige had thoroughly scouted the terrain. Everything was in place for their audacious maneuver. The plane maintained a high altitude as each member rappelled down to the summit, from where they would ski downhill. For anyone other than professionals like Paige and Julian, this was an extreme challenge.The helicopter couldn't fly low. When it reached a few hundred meters from the mountain peak, the cabin door opened. Paige was the first in line, poised for action. At the commander's thumbs-up signal, Paige gave a slight nod, took a deep breath, and leapt out.The rope around her body served as her lifeline. As she neared the ground, the rope snapped taut. She quickly unhooked the carabiner and jumped down, her snowboard scraping the snow-covered peak. Paige's landing was flawless, a testament to her exceptional skiing skills.Following Paige, Julian, Charles, and the others descended one after another. A couple of them sustained injuries upon landing and were promptly rescued. Out of the dozen or so people Paige led, three or four were injured along the way and awaited help.Paige guided the remaining team in a thrilling ski down the mountain, which towered over two thousand meters high. Despite the challenging route beneath the alpine mirrors, the year-round snow made this mountain a natural and ideal skiing spot. Under such perfect conditions, Paige's leadership ensured a successful descent.As the sun set and darkness blanketed the landscape, Paige was the first to reach the mountain hollow. She discarded her skiing gear and signaled the others over, as they stealthily made their way to the rear of a small building.Guards patrolled the area, but Paige handled them with ease. Despite their numbers, Paige's team was not to be underestimated. In less than fifteen minutes, Paige had neutralized a dozen or so guards, rendering them unconscious and stashing them out of sight. Then, she, along with Julian, Charles, and others, stormed into the small building.Inside the living room, Marigold and Raymond sat opposite each other. At the sound of the intrusion, Marigold promptly stood up. As Paige, flanked by her teammates, marched in, Marigold's expression shifted. "Madam, aren't you supposed to be with Northwind..." she began, but was cut off by Paige's stern demand. "Hand over the antidote, and I'll spare you."No sooner had Paige finished her sentence than Raymond astonishingly rose from his wheelchair. In two swift steps, he embraced Paige and spun, just as a bullet whizzed past her ear. Raymond held Paige close, one hand covering her ears, the other drawing a gun and firing in the direction from which the bullets flew.Paige looked up, her expression one of shock as she stared at Raymond. However, the next second, Raymond lowered his head and pressed his lips to Paige's…
