Chapter 427
Ethan Sullivan immediately sensed the icy aura radiating from Evelyn Laurent.
A faint smirk curved his lips.
These pirates had no idea who they were dealing with.
Evelyn never forgot a grudge.
She despised anyone who dared cross her—yet these fools...
They had the audacity to rob her openly, even demanding her beloved Southern Cross.
That ship was her pride and joy.
It was like thieves breaking into your home and declaring it theirs.
Evelyn wouldn't tolerate such insolence.
"Eighteen of them, split into three search teams. The other two groups should arrive soon," Ethan said grimly.
He hadn't just been evading capture—he'd memorized their entire strategy.
The rain had stopped, but the island's soil remained damp.
Perfect for masking their tracks.
Both of them were caked in mud.
Even Ethan, who usually abhorred dirt, didn't flinch as it soaked through his clothes.
Evelyn's lips curled coldly. "I hope they come."
But they both knew the pirates' main force still waited aboard the ship.
Before any pirates appeared—
A bloodcurdling scream shattered the silence.
Evelyn whirled around.
In a mud pit a dozen meters away, a figure thrashed wildly.
A sharp wooden spike impaled his arm, blood mixing with the filthy water.
When he wiped the sludge from his face—
Evelyn's pupils contracted violently.
Ethan's expression mirrored her shock.
Their gazes locked, mutual fury flashing between them.
It was Hugo Rothschild.
After the scream, Hugo bit his lip hard, struggling to rise from the mire.
Mud blurred his vision.
He knew he'd walked into a trap.
Hidden in the darkness, the pit had been expertly disguised with leaves.
Sharpened stakes lined the bottom.
Only his quick reflexes had saved him from worse injury.
Blood gushed from his arm.
Now he was immobilized—a perfect target.
"What the hell is he doing here?" Evelyn hissed, eyes glinting with lethal cold.
Hugo should have been safe aboard the Southern Cross.
Instead, he'd recklessly come ashore.
Did he think he could help?
Oh, he'd helped alright.
Helped the enemy by triggering her trap!
As Hugo shifted again, Evelyn snapped, "Move right."