Chapter 1117: Departure

Oscar remained under the tree. "Go quickly!" he said, immediately diverting the guards' attention.

Hannah watched him pursued by two guards before a piercing alarm blared, alerting the entire villa. Hesitation gripped her. Should she leave Oscar behind? Given his identity, capture by Doyle wouldn't be truly dangerous; a rational Doyle wouldn't dare retaliate. But Doyle was unpredictable. She couldn't gauge whether his reaction to her departure, regardless of international relations, would endanger Oscar.

Finally, Hannah leaped from the branch and fled the villa.

Theodore sensed someone in the tree. As Hannah jumped, he caught her, losing his balance and falling. "Hannah?!" he exclaimed, surprised. "Where's Oscar? What's with the alarm?"

"Oscar's been found."

Theodore, having waited impatiently outside, was ready to storm the villa. However, lacking instructions from Oscar, they'd hesitated. He'd mistaken the figure in the tree for Oscar, but it was only Hannah. Then, an idea struck him. "Hannah, you go first."

Oscar was determined to ensure Hannah's safe departure from Jolencami. Her safety was paramount.

"Okay," Hannah replied without hesitation.

Theodore felt a pang at her immediate compliance. "Hannah, can't you show a little concern, a little reluctance?" he complained, already arranging her passage.

Hannah remained silent. Capture meant no escape. She had to leave immediately.

Despite his complaint, Theodore swiftly escorted her to the car. As he instructed the driver to take her to the airport, a gunshot echoed.

The unexpected had begun.

Theodore bundled Hannah into the car and sped away. A moment later, he saw someone running from the villa – Oscar.

"Let's go!" Oscar urged, his voice sharp. They piled into the car, Theodore instructing the driver to floor it. The vehicle sped away.

They soon heard a pursuing car, but maintained a safe distance. Oscar breathed deeply, attempting to calm himself.

Theodore turned to Oscar. "Did you get shot?"

Oscar clutched his arm, pained but silent. Theodore repeated the question.

"No vital organs," Oscar finally replied.

"Damn it!" Theodore cursed. "Where'd it hit you?"

"My shoulder," Oscar said. "Let's head back to Northfield."

Theodore agreed; there was no time to lose. He glanced at Hannah, who regarded him calmly. He felt a surge of anger but remained silent.

Oscar lowered his head, retrieving his silent phone. A call from Carol. He answered.

"Her Majesty."

"Did you take Hannah?"

"Yes, we're on our way."

"I'm holding Doyle off for half an hour, max."

"That should be enough."

"I can't send you off, Mr. Commander."

"Never mind. How's Princess Besse?"

"She lost a lot of blood, but she's stable. Your suggestion was extreme, but it worked."

"Well then… farewell."

"Farewell."

Oscar hung up, exhausted. His injured arm ached. He leaned back, watchful.

They eventually outran their pursuers, boarding a private plane.

The plane ascended. Hannah looked down at Jolencami, indifferent. Five years of her life were leaving behind. She probably wouldn't return. A slight twitch in her eye – a familiar black sedan at the airport. A man alighted; though she couldn't see his face clearly, she knew it was Doyle.

Doyle had arrived swiftly.

But they wouldn't meet again. Hannah quickly averted her gaze, noticing Theodore retrieving a medical kit, preparing to remove the bullet from Oscar's arm. The longer it remained, the worse the damage.

Theodore cut Oscar's cuff, revealing a gruesome, blood-soaked wound.

Hannah glanced at it, then looked away.

"I'll take care of this first. Over six hours until Northfield," Theodore said.

Oscar nodded.

Theodore began his work.

"Hannah," Theodore called.

Hannah responded with a sound.

"Can you help me?"

A moment of silence. Just as Oscar was about to refuse, Hannah spoke. "How can I help?"

Oscar's words remained unspoken.

"Hold his arm, so I can get the bullet out easier," Theodore explained.

Hannah unbuckled her seatbelt and moved to Oscar's side. The plane flew steadily over Jolencami. She knelt beside him, supporting his arm for Theodore.

Up close, the wound was horrific.

"If you're scared, just turn away," Oscar said, sensing her thoughts, without looking at her.

Hannah's eyes flickered. "I'm not afraid. It's not like it hurts me."

Theodore laughed.

Hannah frowned.

"Your indifference this whole time made me think you weren't Hannah anymore," Theodore explained. "But hearing you say that… I'm relieved."

…