<b>Was </b>there an explosion?
Felicia and Imogen exchanged a mor, both still reeling from the thunderous sound of the st. Before they could gather their thoughts, another deafening explosion erupted from the same direction.
Arger, clearer mushroom cloud rose into the sky, and even the ground beneath the trembled from the impact
The driver, clearly shaken, mmed on the brakes, bringing the <b>car </b>to <b>an </b>abrupt halt. He didn’t dare drive any further.
“What’s going on? Where’s the explosioning from?” Imogen asked in m, gripping the back of the seat in front of her. Her mind raced, struggling to make sense of the
situation
Felicia didn’t need to think twice to figure out that this was Stephan’s doing.
<b>The </b>intensity of the bombing, the precision, and the sheer force of it all–along with how it was all aimed at the location where Johanna’s signal hadst been tracked–made it clear to her. If Johanna had been there, she likely <b>had </b>no chance of escape.
Felicia reached for her phone<b>, </b>intending to call Stephan, but before she could <b>dial</b><b>, </b>a convoy of cars approached from behind. A quick nce at the license tes confirmedthey all belonged to the Russell family.
She hacked her phone away.
One of the vehicles stopped beside her, and <b>as </b>the window rolled down, she spotted two guards and Stanley inside.
Mr. Russell is in the helicopter. No need to worry, ma’am,” 5
Stanley answered promptly.
As it on cue, the faint hum of helicopter des overhead became audible. Looking up, Felicia saw the helicopter heading toward Mount Farstone.
She frowned and immediately instructed the driver, “Keep <b>going</b>. Take us to the base of the mountain.
Stanley quickly interjected, “Ma’am, Mr. Russell <b>has </b>already ordered that you <b>and </b>Ms. Thus sell bead back home. He’ll take care of the rest.”
“No.” Felicia refused without hesitation. She wasn’t worried about Stephan’s ability to handle himself inbat with weapons. Her concern was the tobed figure. If he had set a trap or used venomous creatures, the risks would be unpredictable and potentially deadly.
Seeing Felicia’s determination, Imogen also refused to retreat. With Caleb’s safety still uncertain, there was no way she was going to sit idly by
Stanley, unable to convince them otherwise, had no choice but to follow behind their car.
By the time they reached Mount Farstone, the bombing had stopped. Whether it was because they had narrowed down the search area or out of caution not to harm Felicia and Imogen, the ground–shaking explosions ceased.
Felicia and Imogen began ascending the mountain on foot, heading toward the location of the sts, Felicia regretted not borrowing a helicopter <b>Now</b>, with the car unable to go any further, they had no <b>choice </b>but to climb,
Imogen wiped the sweat from her forehead but said nothing, silently following Felicia up the mountain.
Their destination was the site where the explosions had urred.
<b>Looking </b>up, Felicia <b>noticed </b>that the helicopter had likely alreadynded. It was no longer visible. She quickened her pace, heading toward the area
Halfway there, her phone rang again.
At first<b>, </b>Felicia didn’t n on answering, but the number called back immediately after. Whoever it was <b>didn’t </b>seem like they were giving up. Annoyed, she swiped to answer What do you want?” she <b>said </b>coldly, her voice devoid of emotion.
it is.
On the other end, <b>Maurice’s </b>voice came through, <b>casual </b>andced with mischiel “Darling, I’ve got <b>a </b>question for you. Are you always this <b>fierce </b>when you answer the phone, or it just with me?”