Armed only with knives, they killed over a dozen ferocious crocodiles. When they finally dragged Johanna away and fled, every team member was covered in mud, looking far more disheveled than Johanna.

Moments earlier, when Johanna complained of her inability to walk, they had stopped to make camp. Disliking the sweat and grime, she wandered off alone, stumbling upon Stephan.

Stephan frowned. "My sister is waiting outside the rainforest? Did you station enough people there? Is there a doctor with her? And why couldn't you stop her?" His tone held a faint anger by the end of his questioning.

Andy lowered his head, unable to offer excuses. Whether they could have persuaded Imogen or not, she had followed them, a failure on their part.

"I'm sorry, sir!"

"Take Johanna back. Inform Imogen that I'm fine and tell her not to worry. Once she's escorted back to Seldvale, prevent any further updates from reaching her."

"Yes, sir!" Andy began leading the team back.

Johanna vehemently resisted, shouting, "No, I'm not—"

Stephan, carrying Felicia, didn't glance at her before turning away. Andy stepped forward. "Ms. Rosario, let's go."

"I'm not leaving! Why does Felicia get to stay, but I can't?" Johanna's eyes reddened with frustration.

Stephan had never given women special treatment; his standards differed greatly depending on his feelings for them. His favoritism was absolute.

"You want to know why? Because she's my wife. Is that reason good enough?"

The single sentence left Johanna pale and speechless, her strength drained. It wasn't until Andy had dragged her a considerable distance that she regained her senses, then smiled silently.

That smile, in the dim flashlight illumination of the pitch-black rainforest, was unnerving. Andy, turning back, was startled. For a moment, Johanna resembled a ghost—her smile haunting and sinister. But on closer inspection, she appeared normal. He dismissed it as his imagination.

The path out was easier, thanks to the markers they'd left. Exiting the rainforest and returning to camp, they found Imogen just waking up.

"How is it? Did you find him? Is there any news?"

Andy relayed Stephan's instructions. Hearing of Stephan's safety, Imogen sighed in relief. Tears of joy streamed down her face. "Thank goodness… That's great…"

"Ms. Russell, for your health, we should return to Seldvale immediately. Mr. Russell insisted on your escort," Andy advised. "What about him? When is he coming out?" Imogen's initial worry subsided, replaced by grievances and frustration. Her expression turned cold, her tone accusatory.

Andy hesitated. "Mr. Russell didn't specify. But whatever he's doing must be extremely important. Ms. Russell, please return first, alright?"

"I'm not leaving!" Imogen declared defiantly. "I'll wait here! I'll wait for him to come see me and explain things personally!"