Chapter 543

The freezing seawater swallowed Hannah in a single gulp, the salty brine rushing into her mouth and nose until she was choking and gasping like a fish thrown on land.

Somewhere through the roar in her ears, she faintly caught Brixton's voice. "We can only swim now."

Inwardly,she cursed him as nothing short of a lunatic.

Her survival instinct flared, urging her arms to thrash desperately, but her strength was draining away as fast as sand through an hourglass.

Just then, a medium-sized yacht surged toward them, cutting through the waves.

Brixton was hauled aboard first by his men. He was panting hard,his abdominal wound looking even more ghastly, blood seeping out with relentless persistence.

Wiping the seawater from his face, Brxton scanned the surface and quickly realized Hannah hadn't been pulled up.

Scorpio instantly volunteered. "Mr. Ward, I'll get her!"

But Brixton's brow creased, his mutter sharper than the wind."What a pain!"

Before the last syllable left his lips, he was already in motion -quicker than Scorpio's reflexes-diving back into the sea,slicing through the waves toward Hannah.

Brixton reached the semi-conscious Hannah in moments,slipped an arm around her waist, and dragged her toward the yacht.

With the crew lending their strength, both were finally hauled

With the crew lending their strength, both were finally hauled onto the deck.

Hannah collapsed onto the wet planks, coughing up mouthfuls of seawater,her entire figure a portrait of ruin.

Beside her, Brixton stood heaving for breath as well, yet his face carried a disturbing excitement. He leaned down,a crooked smile tugging at his lips. "How was that? Exhilarating,wasn't it?"

Hannah lacked even the strength to glare. She simply shut her eyes, struggling for breath. This was the kind of thrill one would rather die without.

Meanwhile, Scorpio finished a quick headcount and reported,"Mr. Ward, most of our men are out, but a handful are still stuck inside. Dewitt's forces are clearing the fortress. Should we seize this chance to strike back and catch them off guard?"

Brixton waved him off, a sty smile playing across his face. "No need. If my calculations are right, the clock's just about there."

He began a countdown. "Three... Two... One..."

On the last number, he shaped his lips into a playful bang!

At that exact heartbeat, a deafening explosion split the air from the direction of the island fortress. Even across the distance,fire and smoke clawed their way to the sky.

It was plain that Brixton had hidden enough explosives in the fortress's core to reduce it to ash, leaving his enemies nothing but rubble.

The crew stood dumbfounded and then broke into fervent admiration."Mr. Ward, you're a genius!"

The blast startled Hannah. She opened her eyes to the inferno in the distance, her heart clenching in horror. Brixton was truly deranged.

)

Brixton, satisfied with his fiery masterpiece, turned his gaze on Hannah. "Sorry, looks like you won't be seeing your Vincent anytime soon."

Hannah looked away, refusing to waste words. She had foreseen such an end; ever since falling into Brixton's hands,she'd abandoned any illusion of an easy escape.

Her resignation seemed to amuse him. He crouched, hooked a finger under her chin, and forced her to meet his gaze. "By the way, that shooting of yours earlier didn't look like a beginner's.Who trained you?"

Hannah jerked her head aside, dodging his touch. Her voice came cool and flat. "No one. Just figured it out after watching you shoot a few times."

The lie slipped out easily, little more than an attempt to brush him off.

But Brixton's curiosity only sharpened, his chuckle low and drawn-out. "You learned just by watching? Hah... You grow more fascinating by the moment. I'm beginning to see why Vincent's spellbound."

Hannah sealed her lips, retreating into silence.

Brixton's eyes dropped to the blood soaking his abdomen.Then,almost casually, he asked, "Ever taken out a bullet?"

Hannah eyed himwarily."Of course not!"

"Perfect." His smile widened like a boy handed a new toy."Because you're going to dig this one out of me."

Hannah's eyes flew wide. "You've lost your mind! Isn't there a doctor on board?"

"Doctor?" Brixton scoffed, casting a glance around the yacht,which was clearly built only for escape. "Do you really think this vessel carries one?"

Her voice turned icy. "Aren't you worried I might drive the blade in deeper and finish you off?"

Brixton met her gaze, arrogance gleaming in his eyes. "Then do it. If I die at your hand, it only proves I lacked the skill to survive-l'd accept that fate."

Scorpio went pale, alarm etched on his face. He rushed forward."Mr. Ward, this is madness! Let me do it! She's an outsider. She can't be trusted!"

But Brixton didn't waver, his eyes locked on Hannah. "No.She'll do it."