Ch. 281: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life chapter 281

Chapter 281

The middle-aged man scoffed in disdain and walked away.

Karina, trembling, collapsed onto the ground as her tension melted into exhaustion. She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, her swollen face a far cry from her usual composure. Panic flickered in her eyes—an emotion she rarely allowed herself to feel.

Fear was etched into her being.

Living in the shadows of the organization left no room for escape. Defection wasn’t an option—only death awaited those who dared to leave.

Her thoughts drifted to Jace. His recent actions had begun to cross dangerous lines, defying the very system that bound them.

What would happen if the boss found out?

A wave of dread washed over her. No matter what, she had to complete her mission—not just to save herself but to shield Jace as well.

Her time was running out. Only a week remained—a ticking clock not just for her but for Jace, too.

Karina rose to her feet, carefully applied foundation to conceal the red marks on her face, and adjusted her hair. With her appearance restored, she left, wearing a mask of confidence.

At the riverbank, Jace stood waiting.

"The location has been confirmed," Karina said, her voice steady.

Jace turned to face her, his hands buried in his pockets. "What did you just say?"

Karina avoided his gaze, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I can’t protect you forever. Anyone targeted by the organization has only one fate—death."

"Who ordered the hit on Norah?" Jace asked, his tone sharper now.

Karina hesitated before replying, "The order came from Archer. This isn’t a joke, Jace. It’s the boss’s command."

Suspicion flickered across Jace’s face as her words sunk in.

"Why haven’t you cut ties with them?" Jace finally asked.

Karina’s expression softened—a rare glimpse of vulnerability. "We’re in this together. If you go down, what happens to me?" she murmured, stepping closer.

Her voice wavered, her tone unusually tender. "What should I do without you? There’s no one left in this world for me. Without you, I’d be completely alone."

Karina wrapped her arms around Jace’s waist, resting her head against his chest. "You’re all I have."

Jace stood motionless, neither returning the embrace nor pushing her away. His gaze fixed on the horizon. "Thank you," he said quietly.

Karina tightened her grip on his sleeve, her voice resolute. "The boss is coming back soon. You need to understand—this kind of defiance won’t be tolerated again. They won’t let either of us go if you keep this up."

"Do they have a deadline for the mission?" Jace asked, his tone unreadable.

"A week," Karina replied.

Jace’s lips curled into a faint, bitter smile. "Got it."

Karina interpreted his calm demeanor as agreement, her nerves easing.

As long as Jace played along, they had a chance of surviving. After all, life in the shadows left no room for idealism. Living was all that mattered, no matter the cost.

Gobi Desert – Military Base

A dusty military vehicle rolled into the base, its arrival prompting a soldier to open the door.

Kevin stepped out, and a man wearing a colonel’s insignia approached him with a warm smile.

"Kevin! It’s been ages. Look at you—you’ve grown up so much!" the colonel exclaimed, shaking his hand firmly.

"Colonel Masse," Kevin replied with a respectful nod. "You haven’t changed much."

Kolton Masse chuckled. "You’re too kind. I’m pushing fifty, and these gray hairs don’t lie."

Kevin smirked. "The military lifestyle suits you, sir."

The two men reminisced, their bond evident. Kolton had mentored Kevin years ago, guiding him through countless challenges. Despite their age gap, their camaraderie remained strong.

After some time, Kevin’s tone turned serious. "Colonel, I need your help with something."

Kolton straightened. "Of course. But before we dive in—have you given any thought to rejoining the military?"

Kevin shook his head. "Not at the moment."

Kolton sighed but didn’t press further. "What’s the issue?"

"I need you to help me track someone down," Kevin explained, handing Kolton a name: Anthony.

Kolton immediately set his team into action. Hours later, he handed Kevin a list of individuals named Anthony from the capital.

Kevin scanned the names but found nothing conclusive. Most didn’t match the age or background he was seeking. Frustration gnawed at him.

"Why are you looking for this person?" Kolton asked curiously.

Kevin’s answer was vague. "It’s personal."

Kolton didn’t pry, but his expression darkened as he changed the subject. "I need to tell you something important. That man… he’s being released."

Kevin froze, his grip tightening on the paper in his hand.

"I thought he was sentenced to death," Kevin said, his voice laced with disbelief.

Kolton’s jaw tightened. "He appealed. Every key witness against him either died or disappeared. The case fell apart, and he walked away unscathed."

Kevin’s eyes narrowed, his fury barely contained. "When is this happening?"

"Next month," Kolton said gravely. "The man’s crimes—countless women and children—remain unanswered. I need you back, Kevin. Only you can help put him away for good and uncover the real mastermind behind it all."

Kevin said nothing, his silence heavy with thought.

Kolton pressed on. "You know as well as I do—justice won’t be served without you."

As night fell, Kevin stepped away to make a phone call.

Back in her apartment, Norah triple-checked her locks, yet she couldn’t shake the unease crawling under her skin.

Sleep eluded her until her phone rang, breaking the stillness. She glanced at the caller ID, her pulse quickening when she saw Kevin’s name on the screen.

With a deep breath, she picked up.