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Caitlin’s expression was heavy as she stepped inside the room. “Zeke, there’s something we’ve kept from you… but it’s time you
knew.”
“What is it? Just tell me.”
Zeke could already tell by her face–it wasn’t going to be good news.
“Alicia… something happened to her.”
“I know,” Zeke replied grimly. “She rescued me and ended up falling into Zorro’s hands. He’s trying to use her as leverage, wants to
trade her for Samir.”
He shared the information he had. But Caitlin shook her head.
“No. You’ve been deceived. Alicia isn’t in Zorro’s custody.”
“What?” Zeke’s voice tightened. “If she’s not with him, then where is she?“…
“That’s something Xero should explain.”
Caitlin and Sebastian both turned to Xero, who took a breath before recounting everything.
“When the boss asked me to track you down, I went to Graystone’s military base to see my old classmate, Alicia. She told me she had just broken you out.
“I left the base, but not long after, I saw her being arrested by the military. They were transporting her back to Graystone. I followed the convoy by car and then…”
Xero stopped. His chest felt tight, his voice stuck in his throat.
“Then what?” Zeke’s voice grew urgent.
“Then the military vehicles were crossing the Yosse River Bridge… and there was an explosion. The bridge collapsed, and the
vehicles went down with it.”
Zeke staggered back two steps and collapsed onto the couch, disbelief written across his face.
“What? Are you saying… Alicia…”
He couldn’t bring himself to say the words. Alicia had been in that convoy. The bridge had exploded. The vehicles had fallen into
the river.
Was she… gone?
A wave of pain crushed his chest, like a hand was squeezing the life out of his heart.
He tried to steady himself. “No… No… That’s not possible…”
His eyes turned red, his composure unraveling. His face twisted with anguish, and his hands trembled uncontrollably.
Images of Alicia flooded his mind her laughter, her fire, the way she clung to him so stubbornly…
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Chapter 540
And now, they were telling him she was gone. Just like that?
Xero slowly pulled a small pocket watch from his coat, his own heart sinking. “She asked me to give this to you.”
Zeke took the pocket watch with trembling hands. As his eyes fell on the engraving, tears welled up in an instant.
Delicate flowers etched into the silver. And a single phrase:
Forget Me Not.
Her final message.
She wanted him to remember her. Not just the words, but everything–her love, her sacrifice.
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This was the girl who had chased him tirelessly, given everything without asking for anything in return, and, in the end, traded her life to save his.
Zeke clutched the watch tightly, his face buried in his hands.
death ch
If not for her death, would he ever have truly realized how much she meant to him?
Too late.
Too late to change anything.
After a long, silent agony, he suddenly looked up, eyes burning red. “I have to go back.”
Whether Alicia was dead or not, he had to return. If she was gone… he needed to see it with his own eyes.
Caitlin stepped forward, her voice soft but firm. “Zeke, this happened two days ago. We didn’t tell you right away because we knew how hard it would hit you. They sent recovery teams, but her body was never found. There’s a possibility it was destroyed in the
blast…”
“I don’t care. I have to see for myself.”
Zeke moved toward the door, but Caitlin grabbed his arm.
“Stop. Think, Zeke. Why do you think the military vehicle exploded on that bridge?”
Zeke fell silent, unable to answer.
Caitlin continued. “Listen to me. I know how much Alicia loved you. You were childhood friends–she’s been in love with you for
years.
“Yes, our relationship complicated things for a while. But her feelings for you never changed.
“She risked everything to get you out of 5 Nation. That alone proves how much she loved you.
“And because she loved you, she wouldn’t want you to walk into a trap for her. That explosion–Zeke, I believe it was her plan.”
Zeke’s eyes widened slightly.
“She knew that if she got captured, your loyalty would force you to go back for her. She would never let you fall into Zorro’s hands
because of her.
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“That explosion–it was her way of removing herself from Zorro’s leverage. To protect you.”
Caitlin’s logic was sound.
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Sebastian stepped in. “Zeke, I know it hurts. But if you go back now, you’ll be walking straight into Zorro’s net. He’s already aware of what happened to Samir and Pierrick. He knows you’re coming for him.
“Alicia gave her life to save you. Don’t make that sacrifice meaningless.”
Xero added, “Zorro may even use Alicia’s name as bait. He’ll do anything to lure you back. And he’ll stop at nothing to have you killed.”
Zeke clenched his fists, his grief roiling inside him. But the fog in his mind began to clear.
“You’re right,” he whispered. “Zorro sent a message. He said if I wanted Alicia back, I’d have to trade Samir.”
Now it all made sense.
Alicia was already dead.
Zorro was using the time gap to bait him into a trap.
If Caitlin and the others hadn’t come when they did, he might already be en route to the airport.
Alicia had traded her life for his. He couldn’t throw it away in a fit of emotion.
“That old bastard…” Zeke growled. “One day, I’ll make him pay for everything he’s done.”
He slammed a fist down on the coffee table. The wood cracked with a deafening sound.
Everyone fell silent. The tension thick in the air.
After a long moment, they sat down again, gathering to discuss their next move.
Sebastian spoke first. “After this stunt, Zorro won’t be leaying Graystone any time soon. He’s going to hold down the fortress. Even though most of Shadow Moon Pavilion has relocated to the US, he still has the military’s support. Taking him down won’t be easy.”
Zeke’s eyes narrowed. “Then I’ll stay here. I’ll use this time to consolidate my control over Shadow Moon Pavilion. The stronger I get, the better my chances of beating him.”
“Exactly,” Sebastian said. “When the time comes, we’ll strike together.”
With the room in agreement, Caitlin brought up another matter.
“By”
