“I can’t talk calmly right now! I’m about to explode! Pete, you’d better give me an explanation!” The man in the black robe was clearly on the edge. Something major must have happened; something to make someone like him lose control. And what he was fixated on was likely related to the kidnapped women.

Pete, ever sharp, quickly guessed. “Did they escape?”

“They didn’t escape. They were rescued!” The man’s fury escalated. “I just returned to the basement and found all the locks pried open. Everyone is gone!”

His anger was terrifying, even though his face was hidden. “The person who rescued them even left a note! Do you know what it says?” A note that could provoke such rage had to be impactful.

Pete rubbed his forehead, agitated.

Five hours earlier, Felicia had borrowed a car from the Russell family and left with Scarlet and two others. During the drive, Felicia kept her head down, fiddling with her phone and laptop. Monkey’s last known location was at the foot of a mountain; there were no further leads. Felicia opened the satellite tracking, zooming in on the mountain and carefully studying it.

Scarlet, driving, asked, “Boss, do you think this will yield any results? It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.”

Without lifting her head, Felicia replied, “We have no choice. It’s our only option. The people behind this wouldn’t be hiding in some remote wilderness. They must have a base of operations. Let’s assume their hideout is on that mountain. Do they not eat or drink? They must go out at some point. So, we’ll find the easiest routes in and out. Perhaps we’ll find some traces.”

Felicia carefully noted a few positions before finally lifting her head and stretching. After nearly an hour’s drive, they arrived at the mountain where Monkey went missing. Five more mercenaries were waiting. Upon seeing Felicia, they greeted her, “Good evening, boss!”

Felicia nodded. “Did you prepare everything I asked for?”

They nodded, patting their backpacks. “Everything’s ready.”

“Then, let’s head into the mountain.”

Felicia wore a black hoodie, dark jeans, and sneakers—a simple hiking outfit. This time, it wasn’t just climbing; it was a nighttime search operation. She took a flashlight and handed out a temporary map, giving instructions: “You two will take these two routes. If you find anything, signal! If the enemy has more people and you can’t fight back, run. Don’t try to be a hero. I don’t want to save Monkey and then have to come back for you. Do you hear me?”

Felicia’s tone was serious, her gaze sweeping across each face. Only when they all nodded did she look away. “Let’s go!”