Chapter 370
Vincent Valdemar pushed aside the bushes, revealing a hidden mountain trail.
"This way."
Sebastian Valdemar frowned at the winding stone steps. He draped his suit jacket over his arm and followed his uncle into the woods.
The mountain breeze rustled through the leaves.
"Help—"
A desperate cry shattered the silence. Sebastian froze, his sharp gaze snapping toward the sound.
"Please... help me..."
A woman's voice, laced with pain, reached his ears. Sebastian moved toward it and found a young woman slumped on the ground behind the thicket.
She clutched her right ankle, her face pale.
"Who are you?" The woman looked up warily, then stiffened when she saw him.
Sebastian studied her from above. "Just passing by."
"Can you help me?" She bit her lip, sweat beading at her temples.
Sebastian knelt, brushing aside the weeds around her foot. A rusted animal trap clamped tightly around her ankle.
"Hold still."
Before she could react, he wrenched the trap apart with a sharp twist. The metal snapped with a brittle crack.
"Ah!" The woman cried out, tears springing to her eyes.
Sebastian frowned at the bleeding wound. "Can you walk?"
She shook her head, voice trembling. "No signal... on my phone."
"I'll take you up the mountain." He loosened his tie and swiftly tied it above her injury.
When he lifted her, she inhaled sharply. His arms were strong, yet he kept a deliberate distance, his fingers barely grazing her skin.
"I'm Scarlett Galatea," she murmured.
"Sebastian Valdemar."
"Your name is... lovely..."
"Don't talk." His voice turned rough, sweat glistening at his brow.
The path steepened. Sebastian's breathing grew labored, but his steps remained steady. Scarlett peeked up and saw the rigid line of his jaw.
The summit loomed ahead.
"Sebastian!" Isabella Langley's startled cry rang out.
Sebastian staggered. His vision darkened. Scarlett felt his arms tighten around her—then—
"Look out!"
They crashed to the ground. Scarlett scrambled up, only to find Sebastian unconscious, his face deathly pale.
"Help! Someone, please!" Her scream sent birds scattering from the trees.