Chapter 175: Not long after Kellan and Allison reached the shore, Ferdinand arrived with a small contingent. His usually composed face was etched with a rare sternness, his brow furrowed with worry. He and Kellan had been close friends for many years.

"I'm late," Ferdinand said, his eyes swiftly assessing their condition. "How are you holding up?" A glint of cold calculation flickered in his gaze. Despite his haste, he sensed they'd narrowly escaped a far greater catastrophe. The explosion's scale indicated something significant had occurred.

"Save the story for later," Ferdinand said brusquely. "First, let the doctor examine you both. You can't risk internal bleeding." With a swift motion, he produced a wheelchair for Kellan. "Once we're back on the yacht heading for Ontdale, there's a chance someone might realize your legs aren't truly paralyzed. So, use this, just in case."

Allison raised an eyebrow, impressed by his foresight. He wasn't merely the president of a massive company; he'd arrived in person, without hesitation. The leaves clinging to his suit spoke of his hurried arrival, and he hadn't forgotten the wheelchair to protect Kellan's secret.

Turning to his team, Ferdinand's voice sharpened. "If there's even a scrap of explosive material left, or one of those thugs still breathing, take care of it quietly. The police will be here soon." His meaning was clear: he wanted no survivors.

He shifted his attention to Allison, offering a polite smile. "Ms. Clarke, we're all in your debt this time. The police will arrive shortly." Though cordial, his smile concealed unspoken questions. "But what kind of people did you encounter to cause such a scene? That explosion was no joke; half the place is in flames." His implication was clear: Allison wasn't who she appeared to be.

Allison sighed wearily. "I honestly have no idea," she replied calmly. "Maybe they just kidnapped the wrong people." She shrugged, her expression hinting at lingering fear. "If it weren't for Mr. Lloyd here, I wouldn't have made it out. He saved my life by jumping into the water with me. They were greedy, though. They tried to ransom us, but then they started fighting over the money. One of them got angry and set off a bomb—that's what caused the explosion."

Ferdinand raised an eyebrow, surprised by the simplicity of her explanation. A squabble over cash? It didn't fit the profile of such skilled professionals.

But Kellan, ever calm, nodded. "Yes, greed was their undoing. Their squabbling got the better of them, and now they've paid the price. That's exactly how it happened."

Ferdinand, sharp as ever, smiled knowingly. He shrugged, letting the subject drop. "Understood. We'll handle things as you prefer." With a wave, he signaled his team to escort Allison and Kellan back to the yacht. "You both need to rest," he said. "You've been through enough. Leave this place to me. I'll make sure everything's taken care of. The police will buy the story, so don't lose any sleep over it."