Chapter 128

The white tiger, trembling with fear, dove into the water. Spotting Evangeline, it immediately grabbed her clothes with its mouth, dragged her to the surface, and quickly swam towards the shore.

After Evangeline was set down, she slapped the tiger on its forehead. "Why did you pull me up?"

The white tiger roared twice.

"Fool," Evangeline said, "if there was danger, I would have reached the shore myself. I didn't need you to save me."

The white tiger whimpered.

Evangeline smiled and stroked its head. "But you meant well, so thank you."

The white tiger's eyes widened in shock; it clearly hadn't expected her thanks.

Evangeline started walking. The white tiger bounced happily, trotting up to her, hoping she would ride on its back.

"I want to walk for a bit, so don't bother me," Evangeline said. The white tiger whimpered, slowed down dejectedly, and walked behind her.

Feeling uncomfortable in her wet clothes, Evangeline lingered by the seaside before returning to the wooden house. After changing into a new outfit, she got back on the white tiger's back and went to find Dexter.

John, Hasan, and Presley were a mess when she arrived.

Dexter, hearing the commotion, stood up and looked at Evangeline. "Why are you back so soon? Why did you change your clothes? What happened?"

"I just took a dip in the sea," Evangeline replied.

Dexter looked worried. "Did something happen? Are you unhappy?"

Evangeline shook her head. "It's not about being unhappy. I just wanted to clear my mind."

Dexter remained concerned, but seeing she was unwilling to elaborate, he pushed down his worries and asked, "Given their current state, is there anything else you want to do to them?"

Evangeline calmly glanced at the scene and said, "You've already done a great job. Just leave them like this for a few more days before killing them, so they can fully experience their suffering."

Dexter chuckled and nodded. "Understood."

"I don't want to stay on the island any longer," Evangeline said. "Arrange a plane to take me away, and you handle them as you see fit." She had seen enough of their punishment and wasn't in the mood to continue watching. Besides, in their current state, they were beyond saving. Even if nothing else was done, they wouldn't last long. Even if they were allowed to leave the island, others would seek revenge. The bigger the business, the more interests are affected. As their assets were liquidated, their former partners would suffer losses and undoubtedly resent them. If those partners knew they were still alive, they would hunt them down.

"Alright," Dexter said. "I'll leave with you. Let Chester and Chad stay behind to take care of them."

Evangeline nodded, having no objections.

Two hours later, the private plane was ready. As they were boarding, Dexter unceremoniously kicked the white tiger away when it tried to follow Evangeline onto the plane.

Too afraid to confront Dexter, the white tiger sadly pawed at the ground.

Evangeline turned to the tiger. "Don't follow us. We're going back to Clusia, and Clusia doesn't allow the private keeping of wild animals. We'd all end up in jail if we brought you back." The white tiger circled her in distress, whining.

Evangeline patted its head. "Behave yourself. Later, someone will take you to a country where wild animals can be legally kept and ensure you are well cared for. If I have time in the future, I might come to visit you."

The white tiger's eyes lit up, and it nuzzled her, whining as if reminding her not to forget her promise. This promise became the most important hope in the few remaining days of its life.

Evangeline and Dexter boarded the plane, which soon took off. The white tiger watched the plane ascend. Even after it was out of sight, it stayed, happily bouncing around. It thought, 'Although she left, she promised to visit me. We can still meet. It's wonderful. I will work hard to train, become stronger by the next meeting, and impress her so that she will visit me more often!' With this thought, the white tiger started running to exercise.

After more than twenty hours of flight, the plane landed at the airport in Clusia's capital. After disembarking, Evangeline returned to her private residence. She usually stayed at the Johnson residence when in Lyrendia, but she also had her own private residence where she occasionally spent time alone and trained. Dexter followed her and, as usual, kept some of his personal items there.

After a brief rest, they set out again. An hour later, they arrived at the underground laboratory in the suburbs.

"I'll wait for you outside," Dexter said softly at the entrance.

Evangeline nodded and didn't insist he come with her. Whenever they visited the laboratory, Dexter always stayed outside; he never went into the lab or Naomi's room. He probably couldn't bear to see Naomi, once strong, optimistic, and kind, in such a pitiful state.

Evangeline entered the underground laboratory alone and went to Naomi's room. Naomi was still the same, connected to various instruments and tubes, lying quietly and lifelessly on the bed, like a doll without vitality. If it weren't for the fluctuations in the heart rate monitor, it would be almost impossible to tell she was still alive.

Evangeline sat by the bed and gently took Naomi's thin, bony hand. The cold touch made her nose tingle and her eyes grow misty.

"Naomi," she said, "didn't we agree that you'd wake up when I came back? Now that I'm here, why haven't you kept your promise? Dexter and I have already avenged you. The people who bullied you are all gone, so you don't have to be afraid anymore. Wake up, okay?"

There was no response.

"Naomi, I really need you. I miss the days when the three of us relied on each other. Now Dexter and I have grown up and can make money and take care of ourselves. We don't need you to protect us anymore. Let us protect you instead. Naomi, you've always been unwilling to refuse my requests. I have one last request. As long as you agree to it, I'll do whatever you say from now on. Naomi, I want you to wake up Agree to this request, okay?"