Chapter 440

The fVossrescent lights in the hospital corridor cast a pale glow. Julian Langley hung his head, fingers digging deep into his palms.

He stared at the gaps between the floor tiles as if they held all the answers.

"It's all my fault..."

His whisper was barely audible.

The heavy tread of military boots echoed down the hall before stopping beside him.

"Look up."

The officer from the Southern Fleet spoke with a hoarse voice that brooked no argument.

Julian's head jerked up, meeting the bloodshot eyes of Commander Liu Changjin.

"Know why we call them 'Sea Wolves'?"

Liu turned toward the window where storm clouds churned on the horizon.

"Because the scent of blood drives them mad."

Julian swallowed hard, a cold sweat breaking across his back.

Liu spun abruptly, medals glinting like ice on his uniform.

"You should thank those two."

He pointed at the glowing red light above the operating room.

"If Captain Song hadn't taken that bullet—"

The unfinished sentence hung between them as veins bulged in Liu's neck.

Outside, seagulls shrieked with piercing intensity.

"They brought heavy artillery."

Liu ground out the words through clenched teeth, fist slamming against the windowsill.

"Meant to turn the whole island into a slaughterhouse."

Julian remembered the fishermen he'd seen upon arrival, a chill crawling up his spine.

"Muller's men..."

"Top three on Interpol's most wanted."

Liu gave a mirthless laugh, pulling out a crumpled wanted poster.

The scarred face in the photo made Julian's stomach twist.

"This time they bit off more than they could chew."

The commander's voice turned lethal, dropping the temperature in the corridor.

"The Southern Fleet has mobilized."

Metal buttons clinked as he tucked away the poster.

"Time to settle some debts."

The operating light flicked off. Both men turned as one.

When the doctor emerged, Julian's legs buckled. He caught himself against the wall.

"Remember this."

Liu gave his shoulder a final firm clasp.

"You're heroes, not criminals."