Felicia found Maurice's reaction completely baffling. She shook off his grip and responded flatly, "Of course. Had I not needed to save your life first, I would have been looking for him already." Then, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, she added, "He and I are together. If I don't go find him, should he be looking for you instead?"

With that, Felicia turned and walked away without a backward glance. The remaining members of Stephan's team immediately followed.

Maurice stood there for a long time, his expression unreadable. No one could tell what he was thinking, only that his shifting, unpredictable mood cast a dark, unsettling air around him. A gust of wind blew through the valley. Maurice's subordinates exchanged nervous glances. Finally, one hesitantly spoke, "Mr. Glovers, perhaps... it's best not to force things. We should head back now, don't you think?"

Maurice let out a sharp, humorless laugh. He neither agreed nor disagreed. He simply turned and started walking, but not toward the exit. He went deeper into the valley instead. His subordinates were stunned. "Mr. Glovers, you're going the wrong way! Where are you heading? We should be leaving, not going deeper in! Mr. Glovers!"

Maurice didn't respond. His men exchanged another round of confused looks before quickly following. They had no idea what he was thinking, but Maurice himself was perfectly clear on his destination: the last known location of the disfigured woman—a woman who had survived on this island.

"Find her," he murmured.

Maurice followed faint traces on the ground. His subordinates, sharp enough to read between the lines, quickly scanned the area for more clues. Soon, they spotted a distinct trail; it had been slightly concealed but clearly led somewhere.

"After her," one whispered.

After leaving the valley, Felicia used her radio to check in with the rest of the team. All of Stephan's men who had been sent out to search for him responded, but the results were the same—nothing. The island was vast, shrouded in fog, and incredibly difficult to search. Despite their best efforts, there were no clues to be found.

Felicia stopped walking and tilted her head back, looking up at the sky. It was already midday. The sun blazed overhead, its golden light illuminating an expanse of clear blue sky. It was pure and unmarred. If it weren't for the lurking dangers of this island, this would have been perfect weather to simply lie down and watch the clouds drift by.

She sighed helplessly, just as she was considering where to look next, and turned her head toward a sound. Perched on a high tree branch was a small black hawk. That sharp, bird-like call had come from it. There was something oddly intelligent about the creature. The moment it noticed her gaze, it tilted its head to the side, almost as if observing her in return. Then, flapping its wings, it soared into the air and circled her twice before flying off in a specific direction.

Felicia's instincts flared. She didn't know why or how, but an unshakable certainty filled her. Without hesitation, she took off, following the hawk. By pure coincidence or not, the direction it flew was south of the valley.

"Ma'am, are you sure? We just came from that part of the valley," one of the subordinates following her asked, clearly puzzled. Regardless, they followed closely behind.

She answered casually, "I'm not sure, but let's give it a try."

At the same time, deep within the valley, Maurice, after following the trail for some distance, finally caught sight of the disfigured woman.