Chapter 93
"From the instant the aircraft encountered technical issues, forcing an unplanned touchdown in Eastmere,"Evelina replied.
After examining the cockpit's damaged structure, Evelina determined it was no accident-someone wanted them grounded.
So when Jasper organized aerial extraction, she urged him to put alternative contingencies in place.
The Russell Group had no presence in Eastmere, but it had gained a foothold in the surrounding metropolitan hubs.
Jasper studied the chart and summoned reinforcements from multiple nearby regions.
Among them were troops he once led, along with physicians and elite investigators.
As the pair waited at the local airport, these units quietly made their entrance into the city.
When weather or interference prevented the helicopter's arrival, they were forced to stay overnight.
The support teams shadowed them discreetly to their lodging.
When they met Aurora, lan surreptitiously transmitted the building's blueprint to their allies.
As soon as Jasper reached his quarters, he initiated contact to finalize plans.
The quartet of protectors accompanying him and lan also took the opportunity to assess the premises.
It was then they identified intruders who had blended in under the guise of hotel employees.
After this discovery, Evelina and Jasper rested, preparing themselves for what was to come.
The ambush played out exactly as Jasper had foreseen. Had Aurora not caused a delay, Evelina would have escaped capture.
Left with few options, Jasper had to open dialogue with the abductors to keep her alive.
Had she remained free, the conflict would have ended in mere minutes.
"What a masterpoiece of manipulation," Mara said with a bitter smile, eyes gleaming with unshed tears.
Yet her spirit remained unbroken. "How did my cousin perish?"
"You led him to his end," Evelina answered flatly.
With lethal intent, Mara had ordered her cousin and two others to torch the guests she deemed disposable in the kitchen.
But Jasper's operatives were lyng in ambush.
They extracted the civilians, neutralized the attackers, and assumed their identities with masks and uniforms.
Mara's cousin had sustained fatal injuries already.
When Jasper's men retrieved him, he lacked the strength to expose the truth-and succumbed shortly afterward.
Consumed by mourning, Mara never questioned the impostors' legitimacy.
They gave Evelina the signal.
During their journey, Jasper had taught her subtle hand signs to recognize allies and communicate silently.
That's how Evelina knew she could lunge at the guns without fear.
The firearm discharged, but the, projectiles were rubber, and the"blood" that spilled was from a hidden pack handed to her in advance.
Fluorescent powder, inconspicuously applied by the disguised agents, marked the true enemies.
When the lights cut out, they lit up like targets.
"Mara, I know you have people you care about," Jasper said, giving her a final opportunity. "Name the mastermind, and your family walks free."
"I'll speak," she agreed abruptly,"but only to her."
She nodded at Evelina.
Jasper gave space, and Evelina stepped forward.
"Burn in hell!" Mara shrieked, lunging to tear at Evelina's ear with her teeth.
"Move!" Jasper yelled, kicking Mara off the stretcher. She struck the floor hard-and didn't get up.
Jasper caught Evelina, his voice tense with worry. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she whispered, understanding that Mara had chosen death.
Had she survived, those behind the plot would have come for her loved ones.
Evelina looked past Jasper, eyes locking on Aurora, who stood weeping with suspicious innocence. "Mara...how could you?"
Evelina stepped closer, her gaze sharp as blades. "First, it was your personal assistant, then your bodyguard.Who will be the next to die?"