Chapter 252

Phoebe and the others got out of the car, and Gauge retrieved a bag from the trunk. They walked into the forest, heading toward the last known location where their comrade’s signal had disappeared. Opening the bag, Gauge said, “Inside are his old training clothes, a notebook he often wrote in, and some photos.” Phoebe had already seen the photos.

That night, after Gauge asked for her help, she contacted him and requested a picture for fortune-telling. She needed to determine whether the man was still alive. If he was, they had to act fast and rescue him without delay. Unfortunately, the result was grim; he had died half a month ago. Since they were now searching for his remains, and because Gauge had been under surveillance in the past few days, they had waited until now to make their move.

Phoebe took out three ancient coins and rolled them over the photograph. She then picked up the worn clothes and notebook, infusing the coins with his lingering energy. Holding the coins in her palms, she murmured an incantation before casting them onto the ground. After studying the divination result, she picked up the coins and said, “Southeast. Let’s go.” Without hesitation, she took the lead. Gauge quickly packed up the belongings and followed along with Maddox. Phoebe cast five more readings along the way, adjusting their direction accordingly.

Eventually, they reached a mountain and discovered a hidden cave, concealed by thick overgrowth. Pushing aside the grass, they stepped inside. Gauge took out a flashlight from his backpack and swept it over the cave floor. “There are footprints—and more than one set. There are also dried bloodstains,” he noted. Phoebe observed the surroundings and said, “Let’s go deeper.”

At the far end of the cave, the three of them finally saw a body. Because the cave was deep in the mountains, with a small entrance covered by tall grass, the air circulation was poor, and the temperature remained low. Combined with the unique environmental conditions, the body had not yet decomposed and appeared as if it had only been dead for a few days. Gauge’s eyes turned red. “It’s him.” He walked over and carefully lifted the body, searching it for any belongings but finding nothing. Judging from the disturbed soil around them, others had already been here. Someone else had found this place, likely looking for something important. His fallen comrade’s clothes had also been rummaged through.

Stepping out of the cave, they found themselves bathed in the golden light of dusk. Gauge turned to Phoebe with sincere gratitude. “I really can’t thank you enough.” Without her help, his comrade’s body might have been lost forever in this remote place, never properly laid to rest. He also couldn’t help but be impressed by Phoebe’s abilities in horoscope and metaphysics. They had hired horoscope masters before, but none had succeeded in finding their comrade.

Chapter 252

This time, he had only asked Phoebe for help as a last resort—and yet, she had succeeded. Phoebe shook her head. “No need to thank me.” Her gaze fell on the body in Gauge’s arms. “There were signs in the cave that someone else had searched for something. Did he have something important with him?” she asked.

Gauge nodded. “Most likely, he had the item we were searching for during our mission.” He sighed. “But it looks like someone took it before we got here.” He had thoroughly checked the body but found nothing. However, Phoebe disagreed. “No, it’s still with him.”

Gauge looked at her in shock. “Still with him? But I just searched him and found nothing.” Phoebe instructed, “Lay him down. Remove the bandage on his wounded left arm.” Gauge complied. The bandage had already been loosened when others had searched the body, so it barely held together. He had also checked earlier but hadn’t felt anything unusual. Unwrapping the cloth, he found nothing but dried blood.

Phoebe pointed at the wound. “Cut it open. The item should be hidden inside the flesh.” Gauge hesitated for a moment before following her instruction. Carefully cutting open the wound, he reached inside and felt around—until his fingers touched something solid. He pulled out a tiny memory card. For a moment, he was speechless. “It was really here…” His eyes reddened again. He could only imagine what his comrade had gone through—cutting open his own arm and embedding the memory card inside his flesh. It must have been excruciating. That explained why no one had found it earlier. Phoebe and Maddox realized the same thing, and a deep sense of respect filled them both.

“Take him back for a proper burial. His ashes should be laid to rest in the Martyrs’ Cemetery,” Phoebe said. The memory card likely contained critical intelligence. Even in death, this soldier had used his last moments to protect valuable information. He was a true hero. Gauge nodded solemnly. “I take him home today.” He carefully stored the memory card, then carried the body away. In his heart, he knew that without Phoebe’s help, they wouldn’t have been able to recover their comrade or the intelligence he had died protecting. He planned to report her contribution to his superiors—she deserves credit for this.

On their way down the mountain, Gauge conducted his team. By the time they reached the car, a helicopter had already landed nearby. Gauge asked Maddox to drive Phoebe back to the hotel while he boarded the helicopter to return to Solara City immediately. Clearly, the memory card held something of utmost importance.

Phoebe and Maddox arrived at the hotel by evening. As soon as they stepped into the lobby, they saw Una and her group walking out. Phoebe found it amusing that Una had booked a room in the same hotel as Emmett and his team.

Chapter 252

What was she trying to do? There was no way this was a coincidence. Una was definitely up to something. What surprised Phoebe was that Una took the initiative to greet her. Una glanced at her and asked, “Ms. Jenkins, did you come on this trip as Mr. Vaughan’s horoscope master?” Phoebe casually replied, “That’s right. Is there a problem!”

Una smiled. “I admire your horoscope skills, Ms. Jenkins. I’d like to hire you to work for the Woodward Group.” Phoebe raised an eyebrow. “Haven’t you heard the saying—one cannot serve two masters? Since I’ve already accepted Mr. Vaughan’s commission, I won’t be switching sides.”

Una chuckled. “But I’ve also heard that money can make the world go round. The highest bidder wins. What if I pay you double?” Phoebe sneered. “Do I look like someone who needs your money!” She wasn’t blind—Una didn’t genuinely want to hire her. She was simply flaunting her wealth, acting as if she could buy anyone with money.

Una frowned, then suddenly reached forward and grabbed Phoebe’s arm. “You’re really not giving me any face, are you?” Phoebe immediately understood what Una was trying to do. “That’s right—I have no interest in pleasing you.” With her free hand, she grabbed Una’s wrist and forcefully flung it away. “And next time, keep your hands to yourself. I’m not into that.”

Lina wasn’t surprised by Phoebe’s reaction—it was expected. But her words…they were infuriating. Was she implying that Una had tried to take advantage of her? Una’s expression darkened. “I only wanted to see how tough your bones are. I’m not into that either.” Phoebe smirked. “Oh, my bones are much tougher than yours.” Una narrowed her eyes. “Is that so! Let’s see whose bones break first, then.” “I was thinking the same thing. We’ll see.” Phoebe wasn’t a pushover. If Una wanted to play games, then she would play right back. She wasn’t about to let Una get the upper hand.