Chapter 92

The clatter of gleaming knives hitting the ground echoed through the cave.

The atmosphere froze instantly.

"Don't move!" A dozen armed men in black stormed in, their gun barrels trained on everyone present.

The blond team leader opened his mouth to speak, but the cold muzzle of a pistol pressed against his temple.

"Ah—" Several female guests screamed in terror.

"Shut up!" The lead gunman barked. "One more sound and you're meeting your maker!"

The screams died abruptly.

Victor Stone's hand crept toward his waist, but his companion stopped him. Twenty armed thugs, including machine gunners—fighting back was too risky.

"Listen," the leader said in broken English. "We're Black Horizon Syndicate. Pay up, and you walk out alive."

"Black Horizon?" Someone gasped.

Hank Cooper whispered an explanation: "A criminal group that specializes in kidnapping the wealthy."

Beside Lucy White, Michael Johnson's muscles tensed. She gave his hand a reassuring pat.

"Stay calm, everyone," Lucy said firmly. "They just want money."

Strangely, her words seemed to soothe the group's frayed nerves.

The leader studied Lucy with interest. "The little lady's got guts."

A few mocking whistles followed.

Ethan Smith's gaze turned glacial.

"If you want ransom, treat us with respect," Lucy said evenly, meeting the man's eyes.

"Feisty." The leader grinned. "Then you're coming with us. But—" He waved his gun. "No funny business."

"How are we supposed to walk with our hands tied in this darkness?" Lucy gestured to the injured Daniel Miller. "And someone needs to carry him."

The others murmured agreement.

After a moment, the leader nodded. "Fine. But anyone runs, they die."

Without hesitation, Michael hoisted Daniel onto his back.

"Thanks, man," Daniel muttered. He was grateful he'd listened to Lucy and kept his medicinal charm—without it, the pain would've been unbearable.

"Anytime," Michael said firmly.

Half an hour after their departure, a team of special forces stormed the cave.

"Too late!" The commander slammed his fist against the rock wall.

"Sir! We found clues!"

A soldier handed over crumpled notes and a hand-drawn map. Scrawled words like "Black Horizon Syndicate" and "inside job" stood out.

"Move out!" the commander ordered. "Stay covert!"

But as they exited the cave, their navigation devices suddenly failed.

"At least we've got footprints to follow," the technician muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.

Under the ink-black sky, a perilous rescue mission began in silence...