Chapter 298

Chapter 298

The explosion sent oxygen rushing in from outside, feeding the flames and making them roar higher. 

Katherine huddled beneath the soaked blankets, already feeling the suffocating grip of smoke tightening around her lungs.

In fires, the real killer wasn't the flames—it was carbon monoxide poisoning that claimed most lives. 

Through her fading consciousness, she heard someone calling her name. She tried to respond, but her mouth was filled with ash and dust, no sound escaping her parched throat.

Her vision blurred as heavy footsteps approached, and someone yanked away the thick bedding, fitting a gas mask over her face. More explosions crackled in the distance.

Fire truck sirens wailed closer, and high-pressure water cannons began their assault on the flames. It took another half hour before the fire was finally extinguished.

Felix brought Edward and Flora to the scene, with bodyguards carrying a massive medical kit stocked with emergency supplies. Milton arrived shortly after with Barry, still in civilian clothes—they'd discovered something crucial on the computers that Howard needed to verify immediately.

Edward scanned the area frantically, his small face creased with worry. "Where are Mommy and Mr. Martinez? Haven't they come out yet? I need to go find Mommy!"

A firefighter in a gas mask approached, his voice muffled but firm. "The cabin's been blown open, and there are still volatile gases inside. We can't assess the situation safely yet, but we're doing everything we can. Please stay back."

Felix, normally stone-faced and stoic, suddenly crouched down to comfort the boy with unexpected gentleness. "The firefighters know what they're doing, Edward. We'd only get in their way right now. Stay ready—if there's something you can do to help, we'll need you at your best. Flora, Barry—nobody does anything reckless. We wait here."

Everyone's eyes remained fixed on the smoldering ruins, tension thick as smoke.

About thirty minutes later, two fully equipped firefighters emerged carrying a stretcher. Katherine's arm dangled limply over the side while Howard followed close behind. Once they reached the safe zone, Howard ripped off his gas mask, revealing eyes red-rimmed with tears and soot.

"Katherine! Katherine, wake up!" Howard's voice cracked with desperation. "You have so much left to do—the children are here! Open your eyes, please!" His anguished cries echoed across the clearing.

Seeing Katherine motionless on the stretcher, her entire body covered in a gray film of smoke and ash, Howard felt something hollow out in his chest. 

Edward rushed forward with his medical equipment, performing what emergency treatment he could. Katherine coughed violently but remained unconscious.

"We need to get her to a hospital now!" Edward called out urgently. "The environment here isn't sterile—risk of secondary infection is too high. I've done what I can, but Mommy, you have to wake up!"

"Mommy, please wake up!" Barry's voice broke through the chaos. 

Since he'd been dealing with autism for so long, hearing him speak aloud stunned everyone, though this wasn't the time to dwell on breakthroughs.

The location was remote, with limited medical facilities nearby. Even taking the fastest route back to Emerald City would take nearly two hours, and waiting for an ambulance wasn't an option.

Suddenly, powerful rotor wash swept down from above, whipping up debris and ash that forced everyone to shield their eyes. A helicopter hovered overhead, circling once before landing at a safe distance.

Aurelius stepped out wearing a white vest, black pants, and wooden prayer beads around his wrist. He looked directly at Howard. "Anyone who needs the hospital, get on. I'll take you there."

The moment Howard saw Aurelius, everything clicked into place. He was certain now—what he'd seen in Valdoria really had been Katherine. She was connected to the W Organization, which explained Aurelius's protection.

Without hesitation, Howard helped load Katherine onto the helicopter. Within minutes, they touched down on the helipad of a private hospital, the kind of exclusive facility that only served those wealthy enough to own aircraft.

Everyone rushed Katherine inside, but as Howard moved to follow, Aurelius caught his wrist. "You're not going in. We have unfinished business, and Katherine will be fine. She's survived worse injuries during her time with W Organization—she's tougher than she looks." 

The words seemed meant as much to convince himself as Howard.

"We have more pressing matters to attend to." Aurelius turned back toward the helicopter.

Howard glanced once more at the hospital entrance before following. "We're hardly friends, and I know enough about W Organization's dealings with Dark Fangs to be wary."

Aurelius let out a cold laugh. "W Organization doesn't ally with anyone permanently. We take whatever jobs pay well. Katherine left because she couldn't stomach my methods." His expression hardened. "Yes, I was involved in operations against you, but strictly business. If they wanted you dead, that wasn't my call. You're not seriously suspecting Katherine, are you?"

Meeting Aurelius's scrutinizing gaze, Howard demanded, "Proof?"

"You want evidence? I'll show you everything. Did you know Arabella is also W Organization? She's been pushing the organization to assassinate you, constantly feeding information to Dark Fangs Organization and using our resources for their agenda—a cardinal sin in our business." Aurelius's voice carried genuine disgust. "I didn't want to get involved in your affairs, but despite Katherine's questionable taste in men, I still respect her choices. If she's happy, I'll do whatever it takes to protect that happiness."

Howard remained silent during the flight back.

The helicopter landed where they'd originally departed. Aurelius led the way while Howard followed, returning to the now-empty villa.

"Everyone's gone," Aurelius announced, walking to a bookshelf and kicking open a hidden panel with practiced precision. "Gone, yes—but I know exactly where."

Sounds of movement came from within the concealed room. Howard peered inside, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Every member of tonight's gathering sat bound to heavy wooden chairs, mouths gagged with cloth. In the corner, two familiar faces caught his attention—the very people Howard had been trying to track down for weeks.

How were they all here? 

As he approached, those two men looked at him with the terror of condemned souls—but their fear wasn't directed at Howard. They were staring at Aurelius behind him.