Chapter 34: Dare To Bet

“He went that way. Hurry up and find him!”

“The gate is closed. He won’t be able to escape.”

Caleb hid behind a tree, barely daring to breathe. That Madam Yardley is a real piece of work. If she gets her hands on me, I’d probably suffer a fate worse than death. Inside the prison, there were guards, so the people there didn’t dare to go too far. This place is nothing short of hell on earth. No matter what happens, there is no salvation to be found.

Swoosh… Swoosh… Swoosh…

Chills ran down Caleb’s spine, causing him to turn around abruptly. A tall, attractive woman stood behind him, observing him with a smile.

“Hush…” she signaled, indicating Caleb should remain silent. Caleb’s heart was practically leaping out of his chest.

“What is the relationship between this woman and Madam Yardley? If she’s an outsider, how could she have entered when the gates are firmly shut? No matter what, this isn’t good for me.”

The woman took a step forward, facing the housekeeper who was searching for Caleb. Caleb thought to himself, I’m done for. This is probably where I meet my…

His mind racing, Caleb began to devise a plan for escape. As the housekeeper drew closer, his heartbeat quickened.

“How should I escape? Knock them unconscious? No, I can’t do it. They might just be ordinary folk who don’t know any martial arts, but their sheer numbers would overwhelm me. Moreover, they’re everywhere, and I have no idea how many of them are there. Forget it. I’ll just fight them to the death!”

Caleb gripped the small knife tightly, ready to rush out and risk his life by taking down the housekeeper. Unbeknownst to him, as soon as he took a step, the woman seemed to sense his movement. She also moved a few steps, perfectly positioning herself to block his path. She was tall, and her skirt was voluminous. Without a close look, no one could tell a person was hiding behind her.

“Ms. Yardley, did you happen to see a suspicious-looking man?”

The woman touched her lips with her hand, exuding an innocent charm.

“Did Mom bring home another oddball? Sigh, you guys really should try to talk some sense into her. That man who visited last time, I have no idea what his fetishes are. He swiped one of my lipsticks, and I still haven’t found it.”

Her voice was gentle and soft, not sounding like she was complaining, but rather, it seemed as if she was acting cute.

The housekeeper said with trepidation, “We’re already searching for your lipstick. Please give us a little more time.”

The woman huffed, “I want it as soon as possible.”

The housekeeper dared not waste any more time and hastily took her leave. Before she left, she cast a glance over the woman’s shoulder. All she saw was a sturdy tree, nothing else.

Once the housekeeper had left, the woman came around the tree, grasping Caleb’s wrist.

“I helped you. How will you repay me?”

Caleb withdrew his hand. “Let’s talk about repayment once I leave this place.”

The woman slightly raised her eyebrows, seemingly taken aback.

“You’re different from the others who came before you. But, I like you…” She took a step back. “Mom has people looking for you everywhere. Even I can’t openly take you out.”

“You can.” With certainty, Caleb said, “Given your skills, it would be a piece of cake for you to get me out of here.”

The woman gave Caleb a once-over. “You seem so sure of yourself, thinking I won’t expose you?”

Caleb said casually, “Then let’s make a bet.”

“What are we betting on?”

“Let’s bet whether your mom will come looking for me or not.”

Upon hearing this, the woman was utterly astounded.

“I’m aware that you’ve injured my mother. She should be receiving medical attention right now. How could she possibly come looking for you?”