Chapter 52 Think you can escape?

"Mr. Ford, care to try some of my goods?" The boss said, motioning for an aide to bring over a batch of pills.

Celeste's anger intensified at the sight.

However, striking now would blow her cover in front of Nathaniel, and escaping would be tough with so many eyes on them.

She gently pulled Nathaniel's arm to hold him back.

Nathaniel responded with a reassuring pat on her hand and turned down the boss's offer.

"I'm here for business talks. I have no interest in these," he stated firmly.

Noticing Celeste's relieved expression out of the corner of his eye, Nathaniel couldn't help but smile.

She really cared about him.

The boss's mood quickly soured.

Nathaniel's refusal meant he was still hesitant and not fully committed to investing!

A flash of resentment crossed his eyes as he quickly proposed, "Mr. Ford, can we speak in private?"

"Sure," Nathaniel agreed. He had only brought Celeste out to take a break and didn't want her mixed up in any shady activities.

Celeste felt a surge of relief. Normally, Nathaniel was so protective that even with the boss nearby, she couldn't take him down.

But now, the boss had unwittingly handed her the perfect chance.

With a mischievous grin, she said, "Then Mr. Ford, I'll go have a look at that display over there."

"Okay, just stay close," Nathaniel said, a touch worried. He turned around to find Celeste had already made her way to the foremost display cases.

Using the pretense of admiring the items, Celeste wrapped a thin string around the glass sidewall.

After discreetly inquiring about the restroom's location from a waiter, she gracefully turned and headed towards the ship's cabin.

"There goes the exhibit!"

A loud crash followed her words, drawing all eyes to the display area.

Undisturbed, Celeste's smile remained intact as her fingers triggered a mishap with a wine bottle and a chef's blowtorch, sparking a fire.

The deck was instantly a mess with cake and smoke everywhere.

Already disoriented from drugs, some guests began to panic and act erratically.

Celeste easily slipped away from her bodyguard and darted into the cabin next to the restroom.

Inside, the boss and Nathaniel were negotiating.

"Money is not an issue, but what about the information I asked for?"

"That woman is my enemy, and I certainly want her dead! She's been elusive, though. All I know is she used to study in Sea City and stirred up quite a bit of trouble at school which ended in her disfigurement. Our people avenged her, pulling her into the Black Bear gang. She's always kept to herself there, except for a brief period a few years back when she took on a disciple for over a year until he was killed in a gang shootout. She hasn't been close to anyone since."

Celeste couldn't make out their conversation, but frankly, she didn't care. She was zeroed in with her gun aimed straight at the boss's heart.

But suddenly, everything flipped on its head!

Out of nowhere, two bodyguards by the boss whipped out their guns during the talk, aiming straight at Nathaniel's head!

Celeste almost lost her cool and fired—

"Damn it, you're going down and still after Nathaniel?"

She squinted, swiftly moving to a better position to ensure Nathaniel's safety and take a lethal shot.

"What's this about?" Nathaniel asked coolly, unfazed despite the gun to his head.

"Mr. Ford, I've told you all I can. Yet, your offer still falls short."

Nathaniel's eyes turned frosty, his lips parting slowly, "A billion for information isn't enough? Don't be too greedy."

"But you're worth trillions!" the boss barked, tilting his chin up defiantly. "I want all of Nathaniel's wealth and status, all your money in my hands. I want to control Sea City, to make my comeback!"

"This nutcase!" Celeste cursed softly.

Threaten Nathaniel?

"Boss, not even God can save you today. You're done!"

Nathaniel merely smirked, "You're dreaming."

He exchanged a glance with Felix, adding, "We can talk about the price. But killing me? You'll end up with nothing—"

"Bang, bang!" Suddenly, two gunshots echoed, followed by a distant female shout.

"Trouble outside!"

"It's my people; what could possibly go wrong? Stay calm!" The boss attempted bravado, but he quickly grabbed a bodyguard as a human shield—

Catching a glimpse of a woman's silhouette outside the cabin window, his eyes widened and a chilling sense of doom enveloped him. Without hesitation, he ordered, "Move, let's get out of here!"

"Think you can escape?" Celeste smirked, her eyes narrowing as she took aim through the gap between two bodyguards.

"Bang!"

The bullet struck the boss squarely in the chest!

"Ah!" As blood blossomed on his chest, the boss clutched the wound and ordered his bodyguard, "Get me out—now!"

The bodyguards quickly carried him out the back door.

Once the gun was lowered, Felix finally relaxed his hold on his knife.

He wasn't keen on a bloodbath…

"Sir, this way." The boat was in utter chaos, and Felix was set on getting Nathaniel to safety as soon as possible.

But Nathaniel stayed focused on where the shot had come from, spotting a familiar figure just before she disappeared!

"Scarlett!"

Without hesitation, Nathaniel took off after her!

"Sir?! Think of your safety—"

"Look after Celeste, keep her safe!" Nathaniel quickly instructed before leaping over the railing in pursuit.

This was his chance to finally talk to Scarlett!

He needed to know what his parents had told her before they died and whether... she had any involvement in their deaths!