Ch. 549: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life Chapter 549

Chapter 549

Before Arlene could say a word, Baimo spoke first. "I've already made a promise to Freyja. A man keeps his word. Besides, I don't have any aversion to her."

Arlene felt a sharp pang in her chest.

Baimo had kept his distance from women because of his responsibilities, but he had never rejected Freyja. She had always been by his side, proving that proximity and persistence truly mattered. The old saying was right: being close to the source of water grants you the first drink, and time reveals a person's heart.

Arlene felt powerless. She was just an ordinary girl, worlds apart from Freyja. Baimo needed someone who could stand beside him, a strong and capable partner—not someone like her, a nameless girl from the slums.

Swallowing her pain, she forced a smile. "Teacher Baimo, if she's the one you truly care for, then I wish you happiness. May you both always be happy together."

"Thank you," Baimo replied sincerely.

Arlene turned to leave, but as she walked away, a deep sense of loss settled in her heart. She had worked so hard to elevate herself, striving to be worthy of him. But now, with her dream shattered, everything felt meaningless.

As she stepped out of Baimo’s territory, a group of men suddenly blocked her path.

They were taller and stronger than her, their expressions unreadable. Before she could react, one of them pressed the cold barrel of a gun to her head.

"If you don’t want to die, come with us quietly," a voice ordered.

A rush of fear surged through her body. Years of living in a war-torn region had conditioned her to fear guns, but this was Baimo’s land. She was nothing more than a minor figure here—her presence wouldn't shake his world.

Without a word, she followed them.

After what felt like hours, they shoved her into a small room. More weapons were drawn, all pointed at her.

Arlene’s gaze remained cold and steady. "If you have something to say, say it. No need for theatrics."

A low chuckle filled the room. "I thought you'd be trembling with fear, but you’re surprisingly calm. I suppose that’s to be expected from a woman who dares to chase after Baimo."

The voice was oddly mechanical, its owner still hidden in the shadows.

Arlene’s brow furrowed. "Who are you? What do you want? Why did you bring me here?"

"Simple. There are things you can’t accomplish alone—but with our help, you can." The man’s tone was laced with amusement.

She scoffed. "There’s no such thing as free help. What’s the catch?"

"No need to be so suspicious. You used to know Norah, right? And Baimo is Norah’s brother. Freyja won Baimo’s favor by relentlessly pursuing him—so why can’t you?" The man leaned in. "We can make sure Baimo belongs to you. In return, you’ll assist us from the inside. We want Baimo’s position."

Arlene clenched her fists. She knew what kind of man Baimo was. His ambition wasn’t for power—it was for his people. He had humbled himself to uplift the Yi tribe, teaching them medicine, agriculture, and even literacy.

She could still remember those moments when he gave gifts to the children—always bringing something for her as well. Baimo had never been the type to be manipulated. If she went through with this, she’d only destroy any chance she had with him. He would hate her forever.

But she knew she had to play along for now.

Arlene forced a smile. "There are plenty of women who want Baimo. Why choose me? I’m just a nobody."

"Exactly. You’re a nobody—someone no one would suspect." The man’s voice was smooth, persuasive. "Think about it. Baimo is an exceptional man. Imagine having a child with him, passing on his perfect genes."

His words struck a nerve. The thought had crossed her mind more than once. But was it worth losing Baimo’s trust?

She exhaled slowly. "Fine. Tell me the plan. I’ll do as you say."

The man smirked. "Good. But first, to ensure your loyalty..."

Arlene barely had time to react before she felt a sharp prick in her skin.

A searing pain shot through her veins. Realization dawned—she had been injected with something.

The man’s voice turned cold. "If you betray us, this poison will make sure you suffer—unable to live, unable to die."

The agony was immediate. Arlene dropped to the floor, her body writhing in pain, sweat breaking out across her forehead. But she refused to scream.

Minutes felt like hours. She bit the tip of her tongue to stay conscious, forcing herself to endure.

The man crouched beside her, his tone mocking. "Impressive. Your pain tolerance is better than expected. But make no mistake—this poison is incurable. Disobey us, and you’ll have no future. Worse, your family will suffer."

With that, he signaled his men, and they disappeared into the shadows, leaving her alone.

Shaking, Arlene forced herself to stand. Step by step, she stumbled toward the only person she had ever wanted.

Baimo.

When he saw her near-collapsed form, his eyes widened in alarm. Rushing forward, he caught her before she hit the ground.

"Arlene! What happened to you? You were only gone for half an hour!"

Looking up at his face—the face she had longed for—Arlene felt an odd sense of peace.

"Teacher Baimo..." Her voice trembled as she forced a bitter smile. "Someone took me. They injected me with poison. They want me to help them... In exchange, they promised me I could have you."

She hesitated, her fingers twitching with the urge to touch his face. But she didn’t dare.

Because to her, Baimo was untouchable—too perfect, too good, too far beyond her reach.