The force of the explosion caused even the helicopter to wobble slightly. Felicia held tightly to the rope ladder, her eyes scanning the chaotic scene below. She reached out desperately toward Stephan on the ground, shouting, "Hurry, grab my hand!"

Stephan smiled faintly, steadying his breath. Then, with a powerful leap, he reached for Felicia's outstretched hand. His strong fingers wrapped tightly around hers as he used the momentum to pull himself upward, grabbing hold of the rope ladder.

Stanley, crouching by the helicopter's cabin door, immediately shouted to the pilot, "Go! Take off now!"

The sun was rising, and the thick mist that had filled the canyon had long since been swept away by the shockwaves from the explosions. The helicopter ascended rapidly, heading in a safe direction. The rope ladder swayed in mid-air. Stephan held Felicia protectively in his arms, ensuring she wouldn't lose her grip and fall. The wind roared past them, whipping their hair and clothes.

Above them, the blazing sun illuminated the endless expanse of greenery below. Behind them, explosions erupted in succession, sending rocks and debris flying, creating a breathtaking and terrifying scene.

Felicia looked up and was immediately struck by Stephan's stunning face so close to hers. His deep, brilliant eyes gleamed with a subtle smile. Strands of disheveled black hair, tousled by the wind, fell across his lashes, but couldn't conceal his striking elegance. Felicia's heart skipped a beat. Images of the perilous moment earlier flashed through her mind. If they had been a second slower—just one second—Stephan would have been crushed beneath the massive boulders.

Gripping his shirt tightly, Felicia felt a wave of lingering fear. Seeing his casual, carefree smile only fueled her frustration. She snapped, "You're still smiling? Do you even know that you almost died?"

Stephan leaned close to her ear, his voice blending with the wind. Each word was clear, carrying his signature playful and teasing tone. "Felicia, do you know what I was thinking at that moment? I was thinking, if I really died, I'd let you go. I'd let you find someone else, someone you can truly love, someone who can make you happy. Even if you forgot about me, it'd be okay. But then, in the next second, I realized I couldn't do it. I'm too selfish."

Stephan's lips curved into a faint smile, his expression unreadable—detached yet oddly compelling. But his words carried an undeniable declaration of his possessive nature.

Felicia rolled her eyes, exasperated by his morbid talk. "Stop saying things like 'dying'! Ugh! Haven't you heard the saying, 'Troublemakers live forever'? That's you, a certified troublemaker!"

Stephan raised an eyebrow, momentarily unsure if she was scolding him or showing concern. Either way, he was pleased.

The helicopter flew steadily onward, and the rope ladder was gradually reeled in. Finally, Felicia and Stephan were pulled back into the cabin.

Felicia checked his injuries immediately. He was hurt, though not as severely as she had feared. Yet, true to form, he treated his injuries as though they were nothing. He barely made a sound even when she cleaned and dressed his wounds. Felicia knew this was his way of easing her guilt. But the more he acted like this, the more her heart ached. She was as gentle as possible while applying the medicine.

In the corner of the cabin, Stanley and two other subordinates huddled together, watching the scene with wide-eyed astonishment. Their usually cold and distant employer was actually grinning from ear to ear. The usual sharpness in his eyes had melted, replaced by a warm, tender glow. Even his furrowed brows had smoothed out, leaving no trace of his usual harshness. This gentleness was something they had never seen before. It was nothing short of a miracle!