“Whoever it is, at least we’re not fighting alone. Mr. Flintstone, let’s head south toward the forest. It’s a


    good hiding spot where we won’t be discovered easily,” Freddie suggested.


    Zacharias had a hunch, and it wasn’t just anyone who arrived. Those men were probably Richard’s


    men. Could she be here too?


    Meanwhile, Richard soon realized that this wasn’t the simple situation that Zacharias had described.


    He had years of experience under his belt. Naturally, he could tell that this was an assassination


    attempt on Zacharias.


    Richard encountered an assassin head-on. When the assassin caught sight of him, he hesitated briefly


    before asking, “Who are you?”


    Richard’s appearance wasn’t on their hit list. So, the assassin didn’t want to make a mistake and cause


    irreparable damage.


    “My target is Zacharias Flintstone,” Richard replied promptly. The assassin heaved a sigh of relief.


    “You’re Mr. Webb’s men, right? No wonder I haven’t seen you here before.”


    Richard could barely hide the shock in his eyes. Zain Webb? Did he betray Zacharias? If he was right,


    that meant that Zacharias’ decision toe to the ind with Zain was indeed part of a massive


    conspiracy.


    “Yes, I’m with Mr. Webb. Where exactly is Zacharias right now?”


    “All signals on the ind are cut off. No externalmunication cane through. Not even satellite


    signals. It’s quite the thrill! I would have never imagined that I would have a chance to hunt down the


    vice president like this. This is truly one hunting game that no other can top in my lifetime.” The


    assassin lit a cigarette and spoke casually, “So, don’t worry. There’s no rush. We have plenty of people


    here. There’s no way he can escape from our clutches. Besides, there’s no point working so hard when


    we’re all going to get paid the same regardless of who kills him.”


    Richard’s fists clenched. He hadn’t expected such audacity to ur right under Ren’s nose, especially


    with Zacharias as the target.


    “Want a cig? I can bet all my savings that Zacharias never once suspected that Mr. Webb would be one


    of ours. You know, we almost killed him earlier. Unfortunately, his men reacted quickly and saved him at


    the veryst second,” the assassin said while finishing the cigarette and crushing it underfoot. “He


    probably fled south. It’s an undeveloped area. So, that’s their best bet if they want toy low and


    regroup.”


    At that moment, someone called out to him, “Tiger, let’s go. We’re heading south.”


    “This is our new member. Let’s go together!” Tiger, who mistook Richard for a seasoned mercenary due


    to his demeanor, invited him along.


    Richard looked rather young for his age. As a result, he appeared to be in his early forties. Plus, he


    exuded a disciplined military aura that made Tiger assume he was a long-term mercenary.


    “Let’s move!” Richard followed them immediately. Then, he grabbed some dust from the ground and


    smeared it on his face. Tiger did the same upon seeing this. “Looks like you’ve got a whole lotta


    experience, buddy! You’d better cover meter.”


    Richard patted his shoulder. “We’ll watch out for each other.”


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    “I can’t wait to pull the trigger on that young vice president.”


    Richard’s men were protecting Shirley, so it was advantageous for him to blend in with the group alone.


    He had directed Shirley south earlier in hopes she would meet with Zacharias. At this moment,


    Zacharias’ safety was paramount. The situation had spiraled so out of control that even he was willing


    to be one of Zacharias’ protectors.


    Since this wasn’t a mere battle of lives but a battle of power and defending the country’s highest


    authority against traitors, he would do everything in his power to uphold his duty as a soldier.


    Meanwhile, Shirley and a few of her father’s men sped down the road under the cover of night. Shirley


    seemedfortable navigating her way through the darkness due to the training and exposure she


    had been given under her father’s guidance.


    Still, she couldn’t help but feel worried as she was unaware of the events on the ind. The tense


    atmosphere of impending conflict made her extremely anxious.


    How was Zacharias? Where was he?


    “Miss Lloyd, be careful.” Nixon cautioned her.


    “Don’t worry! Let’s split up and search,” Shirley said.


    As they ventured deeper into the south, darkness engulfed them like a monstrous cloud. The area was


    lit only by the moonlight and their shlights. They were equipped adequately, and their primary goal


    was to rendezvous with Zacharias amidst the tension that hung thick in the air.