The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)

Along the way, they encountered no more blockades, and the path was clear and unobstructed. Although Elisea was puzzled by the ease of their escape, she didn't dwell on it, focusing instead on the hope of quickly leaving this place behind.

Just as she and her mom reached the front gate, they were met by Jarvis and a few hundred of his men, waiting for them.

Jarvis' eyes gleamed with bloodthirsty cruelty as he casually waved his handgun. "Elisea, oh Elisea," he sneered, "I held you in such high regard, yet you dare betray me?"

A lethal glare flashed in Elisea's eyes. She knew there was no turning back. She glared at Jarvis, her voice fierce. "Jarvis, I've spilled enough blood over the years; my hands are stained. And you? You're a liar, breaking every promise you made. If I must die here today, I will not believe another word from you!"

Jarvis' laugh was cold and mocking as he slowly approached her. Behind Jarvis was Landon, his gaze fixed on Elisea, which was met with nothing but her disgust. Elisea was sure it was Landon who tipped off Jarvis. Otherwise, he would never have arrived so swiftly!

Jarvis sneered at her. "True, I did promise you freedom, but now I've changed my mind. Landon's quite fond of you, Elisea. Why not marry him? I could even get you two lovebirds a nice little house, and you and your dear mother would have a happy life. How about it?"

Elisea trembled with rage at the sight of Jarvis' revolting smirk. "Don't even think about it! Jarvis, I'd rather die than spend another second in your den of vipers. If you don't let me go tonight, we'll all go down together!"

With that, Elisea flung open her trench coat, revealing a dozen bombs strapped tightly around her slender waist!

Jarvis paled, not expecting such resolve from Elisea. For his own safety, he stumbled backward, his henchmen retreating in fear of an imminent explosion.

Only Landon stood still, his eyes locked on the defiant Elisea, his gaze as still as death. Inside, he was as shocked as Jarvis, his heart a tumultuous sea.

Elisea turned to her frail mother, gripping her hand tightly. "Mom, if they don't let us go, we'll take them with us tonight. Are you scared?"

Her mother shook her head, a look of resolve on her face. "Child, I'm not afraid."

They stood under the streetlights, their silhouettes tall and imposing. Elisea smiled, a radiant beauty that could dim the brightest stars above.

Watching her breathtaking smile, Landon felt no fear, only inching closer to her. "Don't come any closer!" Elisea shouted. "Or I'll ignite these bombs and level the entire NK organization!"

Landon gestured for calm. "Don't be rash. Think this through. I have to tell you something." He whispered something into Jarvis' ear, then slowly moved towards Elisea.

Watching Landon's steady steps, Elisea recalled his limp from an old injury. His transformation since she boarded the ship puzzled her, and she paused, forgetting to threaten Jarvis with the bombs. Seizing the moment, Landon carefully approached Elisea, whispering, "Don't do anything foolish. I promise I'll get you out of here."

His deep voice froze Elisea in shock. She couldn't believe the change in his voice, now eerily reminiscent of someone else's.

Landon deftly disarmed the bombs from Elisea and urged, "Take your mom and get out of here fast!"

Without hesitation, Elisea scooped up her frail mother and sprinted towards the perimeter wall.

Just a few meters from the gate, an explosion rocked the organization's headquarters. The ground trembled as the entire compound burst into flames.

Elisea carefully set her mother down on the street and turned back to assess the situation.

Landon, engulfed in raging flames, hurled a lit bomb towards Jarvis and his men.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The thunderous blasts continued as Elisea grabbed her mother's hand, racing away from the inferno that was once the NK base, a hell on earth. They ran until they reached the seaside, pausing uncertainly, unsure of where to flee.

Landon's voice carried over the distance. "Elisea, get your mom on the helicopter!"

Only then did Elisea look up to see a helicopter descending from the sky. Behind Landon, Jarvis' men, still ablaze, pursued them.

With no time to waste, Elisea grabbed the helicopter's ladder and pushed her mother upward. "Mom, climb up with me."

Her mother nodded, following Elisea up the ladder into the safety of the aircraft.

The pilot of the helicopter was none other than Brendan, the very man who had previously led the charge to capture Elisea. As Elisea clambered aboard, Brendan first carefully assisted Elisea's mother onto the

out for

chopper, and then reach out,

Elisea himself, cheerfully calling out,

"Elisea!"

Elisea dodged Brendan's extended hand, puzzled by his cheerfulness. Was she caught in a trap? But there was no time for her to ponder. Hesitating only a moment, she

swiftly boarded the aircraft and, with

a confused expression, asked

Brendan, "Are you here to arrest

me?"

Brendan simply smiled, silently pointing to the rescue ladder still dangling below the helicopter.

Elisea followed his gaze and saw, at the very bottom of the ladder, Landon clinging on for dear life, being whisked away into the sky by the chopper.

Not far behind Landon, were Jarvis'

infuriated goons. They were firing angrily at Landon, their guns blazing. Amidst the gunfire, Landon climbed up the ladder with agile and

methodical movements, skillfully

dodging the reckless spray of bullets.