Chapter 522


    James lightly tapped his wristwatch, and in an instant, it unleashed a flurry of silver darts, striking at the guards who were lunging


    towards him.


    As one wave fell with groans of pain, another surged forward, and James leaped into the fray.


    Ang stood there, clutching Vivian tightly to her chest. She never imagined things woulde to this—that her daddy would


    have to walk this path of no return.


    Gently setting down Vivian, she whispered, "Honey, stay right here. Don''t move. I''m going to help Daddy." With that, Ang


    turned to join James in battling the guards.


    At the city gates, the Queen''s soldiers were packed tight, three ranks deep. James couldn''t help but smirk. His one-man stand


    had called out the Queen''s entire army. It was almost ttering.


    Outnumbered, Ang moved to stand with James and Vivian, facing the encircling troops with a sinking heart. Today, it seemed


    their little family would not escape the confines of this British stronghold.


    James red coolly at the swarm of soldiers before him, amused that they were all there just to capture him. It was utterly


    ridiculous. He pulled Ang and Vivian into his arms, determined to protect them. Today, he was daring anyone toy so much


    as a finger on his family.


    The guards closed in, and Ang shouted with defiance, "What do you think you''re doing? Back off!"


    But the soldiers, armed with their long rifles, and carrying the Queen''s orders, did not heed Ang''s cries. They were there to


    capture James, and with Ang and Vivian by his side, escape seemed impossible.


    Just as the guards continued to advance, two FC fighter jets sliced through the sky. All heads turned upwards as the jets circled


    overhead; without the Queen''smand, none dared to shoot them down.


    As the nes descended, adder dropped right next to where James and Ang stood. "Boss,e on up!" called one of


    James'' loyal subordinates from within the aircraft.


    The guards fired at the sound of the subordinate’s voice, but the ne countered with a barrage of smoke grenades. By the time


    the smoke cleared, James, with his wife and daughter, were already boarding the jet.


    Once inside, one of his men suggested, "Boss, let''s drop some real bombs and wipe them out. The nerve of them, trying to stop


    you."


    Holding Vivian and gripping Ang''s hand, James replied, "Forget it. Let''s just go." He wasn''t looking to stir up trouble. The jet


    roared away into the night sky, leaving the bewildered guards behind.


    "Someone report to Her Majesty at once. They''ve escaped!" the leader of the guards ordered.


    Settling Vivian and Ang safely inside the jet, James turned to his crew. They all greeted Ang and Vivian warmly, "Ma‘am,


    Princess Vivian, wee aboard."


    Ang''s tension finally eased as she smiled at the familiar faces, hugging Vivian close. "Hello everyone."


    "Hi!" chirped Vivian, who despite witnessing the ordeal, wasn''t fazed by the violence—a true chip off the old block.


    Her lively spirit immediately endeared her to the crew, who flocked around her. "Princess Vivian, let me give you a hug."


    "Oh no, I''m all grown up now. There''s a thing called personal space!" her dark eyes shed just like James’.


    The crew erupted inughter. "Boss, your daughter''s a real charmer!"


    "Can''t you see? She''s my girl!" James dered with pride.


    Theughter continued. "Of course, she''s your daughter, Boss!"


    In Hawaii, a few days after their return, Magnus, with Jonas’ support, saw Natalia back to health. They enjoyed a blissful reunion


    for the better part of a month.


    That evening, after a satisfying dinner and time spent with Magnus, Natalia fell into a deep sleep. In the dead of night, her


    phone''s ringtone shattered the silence. Barely able to open her eyes, she answered groggily, "Hello? Who is this?"


    A frail, aged voice came through. "Natalia, it''s me."


    All traces of sleep vanished as Natalia recognized the voice—it was her estranged biological father, Rowell.


    Instinctively, she wanted to hang up, but Rowell, as if sensing her intention, pleaded earnestly, "Please, don''t hang up, Natalia. |


    need to talk to you."


    Natalia paused, her distant rtionship with her supposed father leaving her feeling cold and resentful. Natalia despised him for


    having wronged her mother and for neglecting her, which led to her mother''s early death and Natalia’s life in the shadows. Yet,


    when she heard him speak with such frailty, confessing his imminent death, a pang of sadness inexplicably struck her. Despite


    her bitterness, he was, after all, her father by blood.


    She remained silent, listening. "What do you want to say?” Natalia couldn''t help but ask softly.


    On the other end, Rowell''s voice was


    weathered and weak as he spoke


    with lingering regret. "Natalia, I''v


    been diagnosed with edgressite


    caneea it Was detected toote. |


    don''t have much time left. These


    days, I''m haunted by dreams of your


    mother and how beautiful she was in


    her youth. When she smiled, the


    world around her would dim..." Please


    read the original content at


    .


    "For years, I''ve carried the guilt of not protecting her and not being there for you.


    “I''m sorry, my child, | truly am. At the Queen''s banquet, | saw how radiant you were, just like your mother, but even more so, |


    realized my grave mistakes.


    “| don''t deserve to be called a father, Natalia. Now, as my days wane, | don''t expect your forgiveness, but | beg you toe and


    let me see you onest time. Will you pleasee?


    “To make amends, I''ve decided to leave you a portion of my estate in my will.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    “I''m at death''s door, Natalia. Please,e and let me look upon you onest time, to see your mother''s reflection in your eyes.


    Will you do this for me, my child?"


    Rowell''s monologue was long and desperate. He couldn’t pause for fear that Natalia would cut him off. He spoke without


    stopping, his voice filled with a father''s plea.


    Natalia was on the other end of the


    phone, her tears streaming down


    unchecked. She couldalidathony Why


    padrsuduehhf burst into tears.


    as it the impending news of


    Rowell''s death, or was it that long


    overdue apology that had finally


    come? Please read the original


    content at .


    It started with silent tears, which soon turned into soft sobs. As she cried, the bitterness in her heart grew until she couldn''t hold


    back anymore, and her sobs became a loud wail.


    Magnus, who had been sleeping


    soundly next to her, was jolted awake


    by her distress Hg quickly she Op and


    wapnedlnis''arms around the


    sobbing Natalia. "What''s wrong?


    What''s happened, darling?" Please


    read the original content at


    .


    Natalia was too engulfed in her tears to speak and just shook her head.


    Noticing the still-lit phone in her hand, Magnus realized she must have been on a call. He took the phone and ced it to his ear,


    demanding gruffly, "Speak up!"


    "It''s... it''s Rowell, |... “cough cough’... I''m dying, please... please ask Natalia toe back so | can... *cough cough"... see her


    onest time."