Chapter 1019 – Rescue Operation (Part Three)

Behind him, Flander watched Martin's expression with a heart full of mockery and satisfaction.

Weren't you all high and mighty? Weren't you the one who never treated anyone else like a human being? The one who always thought the world revolved around you?

Look at you now—pathetic, panicked, and downright laughable.

And this was only the beginning. What Martin was about to lose wasn't just this—far more awaited him.

If not for the need to keep his identity hidden a little longer, Flander might have burst out laughing right then and there. Since the death of his family, he hadn't felt this kind of elation. Just the thought that revenge was finally within reach made him feel that even dying now, he'd go to hell smiling.

Martin, of course, didn't notice any of that. He was too busy surveying the room, quickly realizing that Laila and Roy had left calmly and deliberately. Almost all of their belongings had been taken with them, and there were no signs of a hasty departure—no mess, no forgotten items.

Which could only mean one thing: this operation had been premeditated. Every step had been planned, and they'd known what was coming.

Which meant… there was a traitor among his ranks.

"It's those Easterners! It has to be them!" Martin's thoughts spun back to the day they arrived—skilled, disciplined, capable of seizing a mountain on their own. Why would people like that willingly serve under him?

Flander, behind him, couldn't help but curl his lip. No shit. Had Martin ever stopped to consider what kind of man he was, or what kind of "charisma" he had to attract such talents? He saw someone capable and clung on desperately—was that anything but asking for death at a time like this?

"Mr. Martin, what do we do next?" Flander asked calmly. "Should we regroup and get reinforcements before trying to capture them?"

He knew full well those people were never coming. The only reason he suggested it was to stall, to buy Laila and her team more time to get away.

Martin waved his gun dismissively and sneered, "Forget it. At this point, I don't even know who I can trust anymore. It's a good thing I still have you. The two of us will go after them—just us."

Flander nearly laughed out loud at his delusional confidence. Did Martin think the kind of team capable of pulling off an operation this clean and coordinated would consist of just a few nobodies? And yet, he genuinely believed that the two of them could somehow catch up and take Laila back. What kind of logic was that?

But then again, maybe this wasn't such a bad plan.

Laila had promised him that once she escaped, she would fulfill his wish and make sure Martin paid. But who knew what would happen after she left? If the people helping her decided they didn't want to stick their necks out any further, then even the Moran family's heiress might not be able to give him what he wanted.

If Martin was so eager to walk into the lion's den himself, wasn't that even better? Those people surely wouldn't mind putting a bullet in his skull to eliminate future trouble.

"You're right," Flander said with a nod. "And who knows when the others will show up? If Moran escapes now, we might have to go all the way to the U.S. to find her—and we've got no allies there."

Martin nodded. "Exactly. We need to capture her now. Where do you think we should look?"

Flander pressed his lips together to hide the grin tugging at them. "I don't think they'll go downhill. Too many people, too much risk of being spotted. And with all the chaos there, no rescue team would want to put Moran in additional danger."

Martin frowned. "So not downhill… You think they'd go up the mountain?"

"Of course. Mr. Martin, I assume you've heard of helicopters?"

Flander wasn't repeating what Laila had told him—this was a deduction based on subtle clues. Even if Laila had wanted to tell him the whole plan, her fiancé definitely wouldn't have allowed it. He still remembered the hostility in that man's eyes when he looked at him—like a predator watching its prey.

Funny, wasn't it? A global celebrity, adored by millions, living in luxury, yet harboring eyes like that.

Flander's theory was logical: their rescuers wouldn't risk leading them into the chaotic slums, where even the poorest might attack out of desperation. In a narrow alley, a heavy stick to the head and a few more attackers dragging you inside… That wasn't paranoia. It was the reality of poverty and hunger-driven madness.

Had the fire not broken out, the slums might've been a viable escape route. But now? Even locals wouldn't enter that mess.

So the only logical option was uphill.

As for extraction, a helicopter was the most plausible method. Hot air balloons or gliders were too unpredictable. With military involvement, a helicopter was the safest and fastest choice.

Martin considered this, then glanced down the mountain before finally nodding in agreement.

"You're right. We go uphill."

He wasn't thrilled, but he had no other choice. Even he wouldn't dare enter the chaos below. Without the fear he normally inspired, he was just a middle-aged man with a gun. No one would care who he was.

So uphill it was. And if Laila had escaped downhill after all, then he'd just have to accept it.

Meanwhile, Laila and Roy had stumbled their way through the darkness and finally arrived at the designated rendezvous point.

It was quiet up here. Other than the occasional, distant gunshot, there was nothing but stillness. Even the usual chorus of insects and birds had gone silent as if nature itself sensed that danger was near.

"Cold?" Roy reached out and touched Laila's hand. "It's windier up here. Let me know if you're freezing."

"I'm fine," Laila smiled. She was burning up after the run up the mountain—cold was the last thing on her mind.

Dong and the others gave them a look full of disdain. This was South Africa, not some alpine honeymoon! Were they seriously talking about whether she was cold right now?

Were they showing off that he had a fiancée or something?

We want one too, damn it! It's not like we haven't tried!

"How much time do we have?" Laila turned to Dong.

Dong glanced at his watch. "We moved pretty fast. Still got five minutes to spare. Should be a clean extraction."