Chapter 78

“That can’t be. Tilda was the mole?”

Everyone was shocked by Ruth’s words. However, the crowd’s expressions hardened when the assassins’ clothing was peeled off, revealing identical tattoos on their bodies. This was clearly not a coincidence.

“You can’t prove anything with just a tattoo, can you?” objected the bald guard.

“Maybe one tattoo would be less persuasive, but what if everyone had the same tattoo?” Dustin approached Tilda’s deceased men and stripped them of their clothing. Soon, everyone realized that each man also bore the same tattoo. This made the traitor's identity undeniably apparent.

“No wonder Tilda immediately started causing a fuss upon arrival. She was the traitor all along!” Stephan exclaimed, disgruntled. As one of the Harmon family's men, he detested betrayal.

“But why? The Harmon family always trusted her. Why did Tilda betray us?” Ruth asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

“Nowadays, few can resist the temptation of money and power. Betrayals happen easily. Without Mr. Rhys’ keen observation, we would have been in grave danger!” Stephan shuddered, considering the potential consequences. After all, a mole is like a ticking time bomb; one never knows when they might be stabbed in the back.

“What should we do now, sis?” Ruth asked, at a loss.

“There are definitely more of them hiding among us. I must inform Father immediately so he can begin investigating,” Natasha announced gravely. A traitor is a far more serious threat than an outside attack. After all, a small leak can sink a great ship. The consequences of neglecting this matter could be devastating.

“You’re right! We must get to the bottom of this! Traitors are an abomination!” Ruth nodded repeatedly.

“Ms. Harmon, I don’t believe Tilda would act carelessly, so there must be others among our ranks,” Dustin said, his eyes scanning the crowd like a hawk before settling on the bald guard.

“Why are you looking at me? Do you think I’m the mole?” The guard narrowed his eyes.

“We’ll know for sure once you remove your clothing,” Dustin replied nonchalantly.

“Why should I? Who are you to order me around?” The guard's temper flared.

“Do as Mr. Rhys says. Remove your clothes,” Natasha commanded.

“Ms. Harmon, I’ve worked for you for years. Don’t tell me you suspect me,” the guard said incredulously.

“Strip!” Natasha commanded.

“Fine! Since none of you believe me, I’ll prove my innocence!” the petulant guard snapped, acting as though he’d been wronged.

However, as he began to undress, his face twisted into a sneer. He flung two black objects from his sleeve toward Dustin and Natasha. No one reacted in time; everything happened too quickly.

Dustin swiftly and effortlessly caught the object aimed at him. Upon closer inspection, it was a poisonous black snake, as thick as his finger.

“Ms. Harmon!” someone shouted.

Unnoticed, the second snake had bitten Natasha on the thigh.

“Grab that traitor!” Natasha, enraged, crushed the snake underfoot.

“Get him!” Her men rushed the guard and subdued him.

“I’ve always treated you well. Why did you betray me?” Natasha approached him with a cold, murderous glare.

“Ms. Harmon, a man will do anything to become rich. Their offer was too tempting to refuse. You can’t blame me for accepting!” the guard sneered.

“Who instructed you? Who is the mastermind?” Natasha pressed.

“Ms. Harmon, I’ll die alone if I keep quiet. If I answer, my entire family will be doomed!” the guard retorted.

Natasha was about to speak when nausea overcame her. Her body went limp, and she fell backward, but Dustin caught her. He lifted her shirt, revealing a purplish-black mark where the snake had bitten her.

What a venomous bite!

“Give me the antidote!” Dustin slammed his foot on the guard’s head, scowling.

“Only if you let me go. Otherwise, Ms. Harmon will die with me!” the guard responded with a sardonic sneer.

“Are you threatening me?” Dustin asked, his eyes narrowed.

“I know you’re an incredible doctor, Rhys! But this venom was created by an expert and can’t be cured without the antidote!”

“You bastard! I’ll kill you if you don’t give us the antidote!” Furious, Ruth lunged forward and began beating the guard.

“Go ahead! Once I’m dead, Ms. Harmon will follow me!”

Ruth instantly stopped.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. She’s been poisoned by a powerful venom. She’ll be dead within half an hour,” the guard stated menacingly.

“Give me the antidote, and I promise to let you live,” Dustin vowed coldly.

“Why should I believe you?” The guard frowned.

“You don’t have a choice. If she dies, I’ll make your life a living hell!” Dustin glowered.

The guard hesitated, then asked, “If I tell you the cure, will you let me go?”

“I’m a man of my word,” Dustin replied.

“Alright. I’ll trust you this time!” The guard gritted his teeth. “Actually, there’s no antidote. The only way she survives is if someone sucks out the venom. But that person will likely die. So, it depends on whether you have the guts.” The guard sniggered.

“Thanks for the advice,” Dustin nodded. He immediately slammed his foot onto the guard’s chest, crushing his ribs and causing his internal organs to burst.

Blood gushed from the guard’s mouth as his eyes widened in disbelief. “Y–You said you wouldn’t kill me.”

“Sorry. I changed my mind,” Dustin answered nonchalantly.

“Y–you have no honor…” Before he could say more, the guard suffocated and died.

“So what?” Dustin addressed the corpse.

Everyone was dumbfounded by his callous attitude. Suddenly, they realized this seemingly innocuous person might be a barbarian after all.