Chapter 281 Capturing the Mastermind
Donald snorted and walked off.
Barbara collapsed, finally relaxing.
She wiped blood from her mouth. One side of her face was swollen, and fear showed in her eyes.
They were all trapped in The Crimson Eclipse Society.
Leaving meant death.
She worried about Jeffery. His actions defied the Society.
If they found out, what would Jeffery do?
Barbara's face showed sorrow. She had to finish the mission.
Not just for herself, but for Jeffery too.
She had a week left, which was a countdown for both of them.
Barbara stood up, covered the handprint on her face with makeup, fixed her hair, and left when she looked normal.
She went to the riverside, where Jeffery was already waiting.
"Donald came to see me," Barbara said calmly.
Jeffery, hands in his pockets, looked at her. "What did you say?"
"Not much," Barbara said, avoiding his gaze. "You can't protect her forever. Anyone targeted by the Society has one path: death."
Jeffery asked, "Who wants her dead?"
"I heard it from Donald," Barbara said. "It's an order from the boss, not a joke."
That's exactly why Jeffery grew suspicious.
He hesitated and asked, "Why didn't you tell him I already took her down?"
Barbara's face softened. "We're partners. If you're gone, what will I do?"
"That night, I just wanted you to treat your wound."Barbara walked over, wrapped her arms around his waist, and leaned her head on his chest. "Without you, what will I do? There's no one else I care about, how lonely!"
She couldn't bear to lose him.
Without him, she'd be alone in this dark world.
She didn't want to be alone.
Jeffery didn't hug her back or push her away, staring into the distance. "Thank you."
Barbara smiled. "We're true partners."
She gripped his sleeve. "I need to tell you, the boss will be released soon. This kind of thing is only allowed once, or they won't let us go."
Jeffery's eyes darkened. "Did he give you a deadline?"
"One week."
A cold smile appeared on Jeffery's face.
"Alright."
Seeing he didn't resist, Barbara relaxed.
As long as he followed the boss's orders, they could be redeemed.
They lived in the abyss.
Once they sought the light, there was no way out.
She hoped Jeffery realized he and Pearl weren't on the same path.
She hoped he understood his goal.
Survival is paramount, no matter the means.
In the desert, a military base stood.
A military vehicle drove in, and soldiers opened the gate.
Oscar got out, and Colonel Ronald Jackson greeted him warmly. "Oscar, long time no see. You've grown up and matured a lot!"
"Colonel Jackson," Oscar said. "You haven't changed much."
Ronald replied, "I'm old, almost fifty. Look, I even have white hair now."
Oscar replied, "You looked the same when I first joined the army."
"It's been many years," Ronald said.
"I remember you were shorter than me back then. Now you're taller and more handsome. Seeing you is like seeing my own son." Ronald patted Oscar's shoulder, clearly fond of him.
Oscar used to be under Ronald's command.
Back then, Ronald was just a sergeant.
They had faced life and death together, forming a deep bond.
Even though Oscar had left the army years ago, they both remembered those times.
With their age difference, Ronald treated him like a son.
They chatted, reminiscing about the past. When the moment was right, Ronald said, "I need your help with something."
"Whatever you need, just say it. But have you thought about rejoining the army?" Ronald asked, hoping Oscar would stay.
"I'm not considering that right now," Oscar replied.
Ronald sighed. "What do you need?"
"I need help finding someone." Oscar had been searching for a man named "Magee," even if he doubted the man existed.
He suspected Magee didn't exist, but Pearl's pregnancy was a mystery.
If Magee had deceived Pearl, he would make him pay, and Pearl's child had to be aborted.
Carrying a child of unknown parentage was dangerous for her.
Oscar's eyes turned cold.
As soon as Oscar made the request, Ronald had his team start working on it.
Oscar had never asked for a favor before, so Ronald felt obligated to help.
"Here's a list of people named Magee," Ronald said. "These are from Willow Creek. See if any match."
Oscar looked at the list. The ages didn't match, or they weren't from Willow Creek.
Even those who had been to Willow Creek didn't fit.
Magee might not exist.
"Why are you looking for this person?" Ronald asked.
"It's personal," Oscar said, not explaining further.
Ronald didn't press. "I need to tell you something else. Kevin Garcia is getting out."
Oscar paused, looking at Ronald. "Wasn't he sentenced to death?"
Ronald's expression turned serious. "He appealed. Everyone connected to him committed suicide, cutting off all leads. He was declared innocent!"
This case had dragged on for seven or eight years.
In the end, it became a mystery, with evidence destroyed.
Oscar frowned, his hands clenched. "When is he getting out?"
"Next month," Ronald said. "So many women and children were harmed. I want to kill him. But the charges won't stick. I hope you come back. Only you can send him back to prison and catch the real mastermind."
Oscar remained silent.
Coming back didn't offer much benefit.
As Nathaniel said, there was no girl left for him to save.
After chatting for a while, Ronald went on a mission.
Oscar couldn't help but make a phone call.
Pearl had locked the door several times but still felt uneasy. She was suffering from insomnia.
Just then, her phone rang.
Seeing the ID on the screen, Pearl answered.
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