Chapter 289: I'll Take You There

Maggie paused, understanding Timothy's implication: he wanted her to end things with Nathael, a request she'd refused. Instead of further persuasion, he used the explosion and a pointed gesture to force her to face the consequences of her refusal.

Maggie's heart quivered; tears welled in her lovely almond eyes, their edges reddening. She stared intently at the seemingly harmless man, clenching her teeth. "I should have ended you on the mountainside," she hissed.

Timothy met her gaze indifferently, smiling. "Practice makes perfect," he remarked. "Perhaps next time you'll be more ruthless." Maggie averted her eyes, clenching her fist on the table as she watched the temple collapse. Though her nails dug into her flesh, she felt no pain. Bang! A deafening explosion shattered the silence.

The already crumbling temple collapsed entirely, burying Timothy and his men. Their comrades outside fled, some assisting each other, blood-soaked and cursing, "Damn, he's insane!"

Maggie instinctively ran toward the temple. This time, Timothy raised a hand, signaling Toby to let her pass. She plunged into the chaotic rubble. Timothy remained seated, lost in thought.

"Nathael!" Maggie called, her voice strained, relying on intuition to guide her search. "Ethan!" Tears streamed down her face, her voice choked with sobs amidst the explosions. He'll be okay, right? He has to be!

"Nathael? Where are you?" She moved debris around a statue, stepping over ruins, but Nathael remained unseen. An indescribable panic seized her, raising goosebumps on her skin. A deep, primal fear made her tremble.

She continued searching the ruins, but still found no trace of Nathael.

"Ms. Adam, there's another timed explosive," Ethan said gravely, wiping blood from his face. "You should leave!"

Maggie ignored him. "He was near Nathael just now. He must be nearby." She forced herself to remain composed, mentally calculating distances to estimate Nathael's location. "He's around here he must be close"

Kneeling in the rubble, she mumbled to herself, moving stones and debris. Sharp rocks cut her fair fingers, but she remained oblivious, calmly directing Ethan. "Go two meters that way. He might be there."

Ethan, refraining from further persuasion, joined the others in the search. Minutes later, someone shouted, "Over here!"

Maggie hurried over and saw Nathael, covered in blood and debris. Blood flowed down his forehead, half his face coated in dust, the other pale. He was unconscious, his eyes closed, his lashes dusted.

Maggie embraced his head, her cheek against his, sobbing. "Nathael, wake up! You'll be okay, right?" His cheek was warm and sticky with blood. Wiping away her tears, she said, "I'll get you out."

Ethan and Alex rushed to help. Ethan carried Nathael, muttering, "Timothy's crazy! He set off explosions on the mountaintop, not caring if the whole mountain collapses!" Alex was equally grim. "If it weren't for Mr. Charlie, Mr. Harris wouldn't have put up with him so much."

Maggie remained quiet, assisting them in carrying Nathael to the flat ground outside the temple. Timothy and his crew had already left, seemingly confident Nathael wouldn't die. Maggie and Alex examined Nathael's injuries; he had minor scrapes, but the head wound was serious, likely causing him to faint. "Nathael" Maggie's hand gently touched his cheek, tears finally breaking free.

After settling Nathael, Ethan said seriously, "We need to leave quickly; this place is about to blow."

Maggie's memory returned. She passed Nathael to Alex, whispering, "You guys take him; I'll go back to find something." Alex hesitated, then grabbed her arm. "Ms. Adam! Nothing is more important than your life!"

No one understood Nathael's importance to Maggie better than Alex. He couldn't let her return; the consequences were unimaginable.

Tears welled in Maggie's eyes. She looked at him, pleading, managing a weak smile. "T-There's something more important." Alex hesitated. Her small face was stained with blood, her hair matted, but her eyes were determined. Without looking back, she returned to the temple. "Take care of him," she said.

Ethan, having just settled Nathael, witnessed this and was bewildered. He glanced at Alex and barked, "Are you out of your mind?"

Alex snapped to attention. "You take care of Mr. Harris; I'll go back with her!"

Ethan checked the time: three minutes remaining. Without hesitation, he followed Maggie. "Take care of Mr. Harris and get him out of here!"

Alex watched them go, bitterness in his eyes, regretting not stopping Maggie sooner. Maggie swiftly returned to the temple, searching for a table.

Ethan caught up, grabbing her arm. "Ms. Adam, you have to leave now; there's no time!"

Tears filled Maggie's eyes. "Just a moment, please! You said there's still time!"

Ethan checked the time. "Two minutes and twenty-five seconds."

"Just a little more time Three minutes! Three minutes will be enough!" Maggie knelt in the rubble, murmuring to herself, ignoring the broken statues as she searched with her bare hands. I'll find it I have to find it Where is it? Where could it be?

Ethan, wanting to persuade her again, saw her frantic search and fell silent, helping her move the heavier stones.

(The final "Send Gifts" and "70/" appear to be unrelated and should be removed.)