Chapter 432

The flare's glow had barely faded when the pirates spotted their bound comrades beneath the tree.

"Damn it!"

The lead pirate kicked the trunk hard. His men were trussed up like sacrificial lambs—an utter humiliation.

Tension thickened the air.

The pirates fanned out, rifles trained on the surrounding bushes. They were certain more of Evelyn's people remained on the island.

"At least thirty," one pirate muttered.

As they cut their comrades loose, they noticed the dazed expressions. One man vomited upon waking—clear signs of blunt force trauma.

"What the hell happened?" A newcomer grabbed a captive by the collar.

"Evelyn's people...know martial arts..." The man's gaze was unfocused. "Everything went black before I could react..."

Hugo Rothschild blended into the group, his face smeared with mud. He listened to the pirates cursing in Filipino while scanning the area.

His eyes lingered on the dense foliage.

Evelyn Laurent and Ethan Sullivan had to be hiding there. With the cruise ship gone, they had no other options.

"Twelve men missing!" the pirate leader suddenly roared.

"Must've been taken by Evelyn's team!" someone shouted.

Hugo noticed several pirates trembling. They'd heard rumors about Evelyn's elite forces—and the fate of those captured alive.

"Peacekeepers..." a voice whispered.

The leader raised his rifle. "Shut your mouth!"

Hugo edged back half a step. He caught pirates exchanging nervous glances—the telltale signs of retreat.

A faint rustle came from the jungle.

Every pirate tensed, weapons snapping toward the sound.

Hugo's breath hitched.

He knew—Evelyn was repositioning.

A bitter sea wind swept in, carrying the tang of salt. Distant lights flickered on the horizon.

No one could tell if they belonged to a passing freighter—or the coast guard.