Chapter 309


    Ste waved Kitty and the others back, raising her arm and firing off a quick burst of shots. They


    thought they could fool her? Not a chance!


    They were smart enough to have dressed up in the wealthy boys'' clothes as a disguise, but in their


    haste, they had forgotten to change their pants and shoes.


    Screams erupted as three assants flipped over and aimed their guns to fire – but Jasper was


    quicker, shattering their arms with precise shots.


    The assants’ weapons ttered to the ground.


    Recalling the words of those kidnappers who had gone to collect the ransom, Ste knew they had


    dealings with these thugs. So, she pulled out a handkerchief soaked in chloroform and mped it


    over their noses, swiftly knocking them out cold. They wouldn''t be waking up for at least 12 hours.


    She tied them up tight, so no matter what tricks they tried, there was no escaping. Not just them –


    the rich kids got the same treatment to prevent any more surprises.


    The room holding the captive women was quickly found; indeed, there were thirty of them. But


    instead of freeing them, Ste added two more locks to the iron bars. There was no rush – the


    goods could be moved first.


    Kitty and the others were after the supplies. After sweeping the cave and ensuring the dead were


    truly dead, they swiftly gathered the weapons.


    They hoisted the valuable items – spices, wine, medicine, and grains that couldst 3-7 years well-


    preserved, whereas items like sealed flour and rice were likely spoiled.


    Unable to carry much on their shoulders, they used ropes and poles to fashion makeshift carriers,


    heaping on the valuables.


    Only four of them carried the load while Jasper shouldered the unconscious Bran. He meant one


    helicopter, which was the goal of this trip.


    Ste just stuffed her backpack, leading the way and keeping watch. Cooper stood guard, his


    senses on high alert. The ransom collectors had likely run into trouble; they hadn''t returned.


    With their goods shouldered and carried, the group loaded up the vehicle and hid it in a secluded


    spot near the cave''s entrance.


    Ste was left to watch the car while Jasper, Cooper, and Cody went back to move more supplies.


    After only a few trips, the rumble of approaching vehicles could be heard in the distance.


    Ste, on high alert, scoped the area with binocrs. Expecting the kidnappers, she was surprised


    to see the military convoy rolling in. It was another case of someone swooping in for the spoils.


    Not daring to confront the military, Ste stayed hidden. With her skills, she could likely avoid


    detection.


    After about half an hour, the group returned with grains.


    Cody and Lukas were clearly frustrated, their loot had been intercepted for the first time. There was


    still plenty left in the cave, and they had moved less than a third of it before the military arrived.


    If they had managed to move all the goods and rescue the wealthy captives, they could have even


    imed a hefty ransom. Now, it was as if they were setting the table for the officials.


    Ste spoke in a low voice,forting them, "We did well. We''ve got enough supplies tost us


    years. Let''s go before we''re discovered and lose everything to confiscation!"


    Reluctantly, they retreated.


    The city was unsafe that night, and with all their goods in tow, where would they hide them? Not in


    their cramped apartments – even carrying a tattered bag home would draw too much attention.


    Not in the mansions either. Before the eternal night, it might have been fine, but now, even the


    wealthy were starving and willing to do anything for survival.


    "Don''t worry. We''ll find a ce for the goods for now. Once it''s safe, we''ll distribute them," Ste


    assured them.


    Trust wasn''t an issue, as they had risked their lives together. And since Ste''s truck had remained


    hidden for so long, it had to be a secret spot.


    So, the two vehicles slipped back into the city under the cover of night, splitting up at the junction.


    Once they were in a deserted area, Ste parked the car in Arcadia, and walked back to where the


    others waited with the Hummer.


    The city was in turmoil, but thankfully, there were no casualties.


    The Hummer pulled up across from the police station, and Ste fiddled with another set of keys in


    her pocket, hesitating before deciding not to use them.


    She watched the others enter the building, shaking her head at the sight of the rich kid still out cold


    in the back seat. Shane must have been some gctic superviin in a past life to have such a son


    causing a citywidemotion.


    When driving back to the gatedmunity, the Porras mansion was aze with lights. Upon seeing


    the Hummer, the gates were hurriedly opened.


    Shane, anxious and angry, demanded, "Did you get him out?"


    Ste opened the car door, gesturing for Shane to see for himself.


    Tina saw Ste’s serious expression and hurried over. Upon seeing Bran''s disfigured face, she


    wailed for her son then fainted on the spot.


    Shane''s cane ttered to the ground as he nearly copsed.


    Ste was stunned – it was not like Bran was dead! Could it have been an overdose of chloroform?


    If he was gone, so was her chance of having a helicopter!


    Panicked, she quickly checked for his breath. "He''s alive; he’s still breathing," Ste eximed with


    relief.


    Shane came over for a closer look and, after a while, recognized his son despite the bruises. With


    the helicopter still in y, Ste tried to put in a good word. "Bran is one of the Porras. He refused


    to let his dignity be trampled by those viins and fought back hard. That''s why he''s hurt."


    Shane felt somewhat reassured, at least his son had shown some backbone.


    The servants and butler rushed to carry the unconscious heir inside, calling for the doctor.


    Shane was relieved to have his son back, though the looks from the rest of the family were...


    intriguing. Ste took it all in, pretending not to notice. She understood the family dynamics; if she


    were from the senior branch, she''d feel uneasy, too.


    With his son beaten and colorful, Shane wasn''t in the mood about other matters. "Don''t worry,


    Ste. I''ll keep my promise. Just give me a couple of days."


    Ste understood. The Porras had nowhere to run anyway.


    Ste and Jasper drove back home together. As soon as they parked, the neighbors'' door swung


    open, and Rosie ran out, throwing herself into their arms, "Are you okay?"


    Ste ruffled her hair, "We''re fine."


    After hugging them both, Rosie turned to Cooper, hugging the excited dog. "Cooper, I was so


    worried!"


    "Woof!" Cooper affectionately nuzzled her.


    Austin came out with his son, and the two families exchanged warm greetings. Everyone was happy


    to be home safely.


    Rosie waved a cheerful goodbye. "Catch youter, Dn. I''m heading home." She stepped into the


    yard and closed the gate behind her.


    Feeling exhausted, Ste pulled out hot spring water from Arcadia and filled her tub with hot water,


    ready to soak away the day''s fatigue. After a rejuvenating soak in the bath, she felt her spirits lift


    significantly.


    Slipping into some fresh clothes, she decided to treat herself to a feast.


    Seared steak,mb stew, braised pork belly, salt and pepper shrimp, pork soup, and a side of fresh


    greens. All of it had been prepped in advance and stored in Arcadia and was ready for Jasper to


    bring out from the kitchen.


    Rosie and Cooper drooled in anticipation, their eyes shining with hunger.


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    As they ate and chatted, Ste noticed Rosie''s eyes glinting with desire for the food and couldn''t


    help but ask, "So, how are things going for you Austin’s ce?"