Chapter 420

The salty sea wind whipped across the deck, thickening the air with tension.

Hugo Rothschild's words hung unfinished as the pirates' faces darkened.

Grimacing expressions twisted their sun-baked features, flashing jagged teeth as they whispered among themselves.

Julian Langley's knuckles whitened around his weapon.

Every passenger aboard the luxury yacht stood frozen.

The pirates erupted in shrill laughter.

Their scar-faced leader barked in broken English: "Hand her over or we sink this ship!"

Rachel Clemenson was dragged roughly to the railing, moonlight glinting off the blade at her throat.

Crimson beads welled against her pale neck.

Hugo shoved his captive forward, pressing his combat knife against the man's windpipe.

"Try me." His voice cut colder than the ocean breeze. "Let's see who bleeds first."

The pirate captain's eyes gleamed with malice.

Suddenly, searchlights pierced the distant waves.

"Our reinforcements!" The pirates cheered, waving their weapons.

Timothy Gold snapped orders: "Full speed ahead!"

Engines roared through the night.

Panic seized the pirates. "They're actually running!"

"I thought these people valued loyalty above all!"

Leo Clemenson collapsed to his knees, despair etching his face.

The Southern Cross loomed against the moon like a sleek leviathan.

The pirates' greedy eyes clung to the yacht's polished hull.

"Don't let them escape!" The scarred leader fired a flare gun.

A red streak split the sky.

Distant lights accelerated toward them.

Hugo narrowed his eyes. "Battle stations."

Hearts pounded in unison.

Tonight would drown in blood.