Chapter 7: Live and Die Together

Since Trevor's lackeys had come knocking on their own, it saved him the trouble of hunting them down.

Steel Serpent Mercenaries? Nothing but weaklings in front of Specter Syndicate.

Then James grasped Caroline's hand and said, word by word,

"Caroline, we're being targeted now. The Collins Villa isn't safe anymore. You need to come with me right away."

Caroline's expression changed slightly. If James was taking this so seriously, it must be really dangerous.

But thinking about the Collins family, she hesitated.

Even though Landon had forced her to marry Edward before, they were still her family.

As if reading Caroline's thoughts, James patted the back of her hand.

"Don't worry, I'll send people to guard The Collins Villa."

If it weren't for the fact that the Collins family were Caroline's relatives, just for forcing Caroline to marry Edward, they wouldn't deserve to live.

Caroline hadn't expected James to be so thoughtful. She nodded in agreement.

As soon as they reached the door, the Specter Syndicate members standing guard outside quickly approached, lowering their voices with a cold tone,

"Mr. Anderson, there are suspicious people all around The Collins Villa. They're in plain clothes but all carrying weapons. Three waves have already approached—they all look like experienced Steel Serpent Mercenaries members."

James nodded, his brow furrowed, cursing Trevor's ruthlessness in his mind. How dare he be so brazen on Silvermoon City's turf.

He turned his head and pulled Caroline behind him, saying in a low voice, "Stay behind me."

Caroline obediently pressed against his back, feeling the tension in his body. She clutched the corner of his shirt, her fingertips trembling, but didn't dare make a sound.

She could hear footsteps mixed with the sound of wind around them, getting closer and closer.

She tried hard to control her emotions, not wanting to cause trouble for James.

Just then James's phone rang. Kevin's voice came through, clearly urgent,

"Mr. Anderson, just found out—Steel Serpent Mercenaries members have infiltrated Silvermoon City in batches. At least sixty of them, all battle-hardened. They've got eyes on every intersection!"

"Got it."

James responded curtly, his voice cold and emotionless.

"Notify all members, full alert. Lock down all entrances and exits to Silvermoon City—don't let a single fly escape. Also, clear out our safe house and assign ten people to guard it. No mistakes."

"Roger! The safe house guards are already on their way!"

After hanging up, James looked down at Caroline. The coldness in his face softened slightly, but his tone was firm,

"Caroline, I'm having someone take you to the safe house. It's full of my people, bulletproof walls, blast-proof doors—absolutely safe."

Caroline was surprised that James's first thought was for her safety.

But quickly, she shook her head, gripping his arm tightly, her eyes instantly reddening again.

"I'm not going! I want to stay with you!"

She was panicking inside. From James and Kevin's conversation, she'd already guessed the general nature of this trouble.

Thinking of James facing those vicious mercenaries alone made her heart clench.

Had James been dealing with such dangers alone for the past ten years?

Now that James was back, she wanted to stay by his side.

Whether in life or death, she was willing.

"I'm fine. These Steel Serpent Mercenaries aren't even enough for us to warm up."

James ruffled her hair, trying to reassure her, but his fingertips touching her head could feel her trembling.

He wanted nothing more than to keep her by his side. Though he was ninety-nine percent confident against Steel Serpent Mercenaries, he didn't want Caroline to face even a one-in-ten-thousand chance of danger.

"I don't believe you!"

Caroline bit her lip, tears falling and landing hot on his hand, making his heart ache.

"You just want to send me away so you can risk your life! Ten years ago you left me behind. I absolutely won't leave now. If we go, we go together. If we die, we die together. I'll share your fate!"

Her words were rushed and stubborn, carrying ten years of grievance and obsession. She stared at James, eyes red like a rabbit's, with no intention of backing down.

This moved the Specter Syndicate members. At first, they'd been unhappy about James assigning them to protect just one woman.

But now seeing how deeply Caroline loved James—not even caring about death—

They looked at Caroline with newfound respect.

"Ms. Collins, don't worry. Mr. Anderson is battle-tested. He'll be fine."

Caroline shook her head, gripping James tightly, completely unwilling.

"No matter how battle-tested or skilled he is, he's still just a regular person. He's just my James!"

James froze at her words. For ten whole years, no one had said such things to him.

Everyone treated him like an invincible hero, unlike this person before him who saw him as an ordinary person.

James took a deep breath, gently wiping away Caroline's tears with his thumb, his voice hoarse.

"Silly girl, you really don't trust me that much?"

"Be good and wait for me. Get in the car with them."

"No!"

Caroline desperately clung to James, refusing to leave. James's eyes darkened, and he gave the two nearby team members a look.

They immediately stepped forward, gently holding Caroline's arms, trying to lead her to the bulletproof vehicle nearby.

"Ms. Collins, only when you're safe can Mr. Anderson act without any worries."

Unable to bear watching, one team member tried to persuade her. But Caroline couldn't hear anything now. Tears kept streaming down as she cried out James's name.

"No, James! I want to be with you."

James steeled himself and stopped looking at Caroline's tear-stained face, pressing his hand on her struggling shoulder.

"Stop this."

His voice was hoarse, pain and helplessness churning in his eyes.

"Be good. Get in the car."

Caroline struggled desperately, her nails digging into his arm, leaving several deep red marks. Tears fell on his hand as she sobbed uncontrollably.

"James, are you leaving me again? You said you wouldn't leave me anymore!"

James turned his face away, his fingertips clenched white, teeth grinding so hard he tasted a faint trace of blood on his tongue.

He was afraid one more look would break him completely, make him recklessly keep her by his side.

He quickly caught up, yanked open the back door of the bulletproof vehicle, and pushed Caroline inside.

"Watch her carefully. No matter how much she protests, don't open the door."

He told the team members in a stern voice, leaving no room for negotiation.

He could only harden his heart and say to Caroline, "Wait for me."

These words weighed like a mountain on his heart. But right now, this was the only way to keep her safe.

"James!"

Caroline's shoulders shook violently, her crying broken and intermittent, tearing at people's hearts.

The bulletproof vehicle started its engine and drove forward.

Caroline realized there was no more room for negotiation. Knowing James would face countless dangers,

She reached out with red eyes and pounded on the car window.

"James! I'll wait for you!"

The next instant, an explosion suddenly erupted.

James watched helplessly as the bulletproof vehicle carrying Caroline was violently thrown into the air by the blast wave.

With a tremendous crash, the bulletproof vehicle slammed into the ground, sparks flying.

Instantly, flames and smoke engulfed the surroundings.

James's eardrums rang, his entire body's blood freezing in an instant.

"Caroline!"