Chapter 401 Being Targeted
When Guadalupe spotted the military vehicle, everything stopped.
Pearl's breath hitched as she stared at it, thinking of Oscar. She hoped it was him, wishing they could meet right then.
But to her surprise, unfamiliar faces stepped out. They were foreign troops.
Guadalupe clutched Alejandro and pointed at Pearl, blaming her.
The soldiers marched towards Pearl, towering over her.
"Got a weapon?" one soldier, Caleb Flores, asked in English.
"I do, but I haven't hurt anyone. Her kid choked on bread I gave him, not poison. If you want him to live, step aside," Pearl said calmly, eyeing Caleb.
She felt sorry for Alejandro, but Guadalupe's murderous glare was fresh in her mind.
She had planned to help her child and get some money from Barbara, but now it seemed pointless.
Pearl could be kind, but she wouldn't overdo it.
Guadalupe held Alejandro tightly and pointed at Pearl. "She used us as test subjects! Alejandro's suffering because of her! She's a demon!"
July, standing behind Pearl, translated Guadalupe's words.
Pearl smirked. "It's legal to have a gun here, and I haven't hurt anyone. Alejandro just choked. Taking him to the hospital now is useless. I could save him, but since you put it that way, I won't."
July translated Pearl's words to Guadalupe.
The soldiers eyed Pearl. Despite her small size, she exuded confidence.
Pearl signaled Barbara, who stepped forward.
July kept translating.
"If there's nothing else, we need to go."
The soldiers were just on patrol. Seeing a crowd, they thought something was wrong, but it was just this.
Pearl had hoped it was Oscar, but it wasn't.
With so many refugees, she couldn't afford to be overly kind.
"Didn't you say you could help Alejandro?" They surrounded Pearl, weapons ready.
Pearl replied coldly, "I offered to help, but she refused. If she needs help, she should find a doctor up ahead!"
There was probably only one temporary hospital in the area.
Guadalupe knelt before the soldiers with Alejandro. Pearl couldn't understand her, but saw her tears.
The soldiers stayed indifferent, even hostile. One kicked Guadalupe in the stomach.
Despite the pain, Guadalupe held onto Alejandro and kept talking.
Pearl had once been a mother, even if briefly, so she understood the deep bond between a mom and her child.
She knew Guadalupe was just being protective.
Alejandro was innocent.
Pearl couldn't stay indifferent. She picked up Alejandro and used the Heimlich maneuver.
He went from unresponsive to coughing violently until the bread came out.
Tears of joy filled Guadalupe's eyes. She clasped her hands and said, "Thank you. Thank you."
Pearl didn't understand the words, but she got the sentiment.
"I'm doing this for Alejandro," Pearl said softly while July translated for her.
But then, the soldiers took notice and surrounded Pearl.
"You're coming with us," Caleb said.
"No! You can't take her!" Barbara jumped in front of Pearl, and Guadalupe joined her.
Even the kids Pearl had helped earlier stepped in.
"July, translate!" Barbara shouted. July started translating.
"We're from Willow Creek. Think about whether our powerful country will let you take us by force. I reported to the embassy when we arrived. We're public officials. If something happens to us, you won't get away with it!"
The soldiers exchanged glances and finally backed off.
But Pearl was now on their radar.
As soon as they left, Barbara called the driver to hurry up.
The vehicle she arranged still hadn't arrived, and if it didn't come soon, there could be more trouble!
Suddenly, Guadalupe knelt and kowtowed to Pearl.
July translated, "Ms. Harris, she says she wronged you before. Thank you for feeding the children and saving him. She is willing to become your slave to atone for her sins!"
Pearl was surprised. She didn't need an apology or a servant.
But she did need a local guide.
"Would you be my guide?" Pearl asked.
After what had just happened, Pearl realized July was very clever. She could translate and spoke fluent English, indicating she was educated and likely lived in better conditions.
But Pearl had no idea where Adrian and Oscar were. They might be in Eldorians, a more dangerous and complex place.
"Ms. Harris, where do you want to go?"
"Eldorians," Pearl replied slowly, noticing the fear in Guadalupe's eyes. It was clear Eldorians was not a simple place.
"If you agree to be my guide, I'll compensate you and ensure a better life for you and Alejandro."
Guadalupe looked at Alejandro and nodded.
Just then, the vehicle Barbara had arranged arrived, which was a black business vehicle, just enough for them.
But unexpectedly, right after they left, another vehicle sped towards here., another vehicle sped towards them.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
