?Chapter 164:


    Surrounded by armed men in such a vast andwless sea, danger hung in the air like a loaded weapon. Myles remained hyper-alert, dreading a single mistake that could cost Cole his life.


    Fully understanding the stakes, Aron and Hugh wasted no time. They leapt from the aircraft and took their positions beside Cole.


    “Mr. Evans has brought the ransom, and this is your idea of a wee?” Myles shouted, his tone sharp as steel. His eyes, framed behind sleek ck sses, zed with intensity, a stark contrast to his usual calm and intellectual appearance.


    Watching from her hidden spot, Elliana couldn’t help but be impressed. Myles wasn’t just eloquent—he was capable andmanding. A huge asset in any situation. Could he actually be the mysterious hacker known as Jody?


    Unbeknownst to the men standing on deck, Elliana was witnessing every move from afar.


    Once Myles finished, the leader of the men in ck struggled to ovee his fear of Cole and raised his voice. “Hands up! We need to search all of you!”


    Hearing this, Cole let out a coldugh. “You worthless scum think you have the right to search me?” His face hardened in an instant, and his formidable aura swept over them like a storm. “Go get your boss. I’m not here to y your stupid games!”


    Shaken by Cole’s intimidating presence, the leader stiffened like a statue. Without another word, he motioned for a subordinate to scan Cole and his crew with a handheld device. Only once the scan confirmed they carried no weapons did he begin to ease.


    Right then, An, Merlin, and Manley stepped off the aircraft, joining the group on the deck.


    “Why are there extra people here?” the leader asked, his voiceced with unease. “Weren’t you instructed not to bring any bodyguards?”


    “Are you blind or something?” Manley retorted without hesitation.


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    The leader examined the three neers more closely.


    Dressed in a crisp white suit, An looked every bit the gentleman—polished and graceful. Manley, with his bold floral shirt, had a carefree charm that shed with the image of a hired guard. Neither gave off the slightest hint of being dangerous.


    Although Merlin’s eyes were sharp and his presence unmistakably powerful, he wore sleek ck casualwear that spoke more of wealth than of security detail.


    All three, much like Cole himself, possessed a natural air of superiority that suggested they came from prestigious circles.


    “Who exactly are you people?” the leader asked, trying to mask his growing tension.


    With a grin full of disdain, Manley answered, “You nobodies aren’t qualified to know us. If you’re curious, ask your boss. Just tell him we came to watch how this unfolds, so he better not push his luck.”


    Inside the surveince room, Merritt watched the scene on the deck and abruptly sat upright, his body tightening the moment he recognized An, Merlin, and Manley. He had never imagined that this situation would attract such high-profile figures. What happened next could take a dramatic turn—either for the better or the worse. If he managed to gain favor with Cole, it might open doors to powerful families like those of An, Merlin, and Manley. But if he provoked Cole and his scheme got exposed, his downfall would be inevitable and absolute.


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