?Chapter 1160:


    William studied him for a long moment, searching his expression. Finally, he nodded.


    He couldn’t think of a better n himself.


    They parted ways and disappeared into the shadows of the forest.


    The deeper Marc went, the heavier the air became—humid andced with the faint smell of decay.


    Each step sank slightly into damp soil. He moved quietly, eyes alert, ears tuned to every whisper of wind.


    Suddenly, something on the ground caught his attention. He crouched and brushed aside ayer of fallen leaves.


    Beneath them, faint footprints appeared—partially covered, but arranged deliberately. And there—drag marks. Heavy ones.


    Marc’s expression hardened.


    If Ste had been brought here alone, there shouldn’t have been this many prints. Unless… they were setting a trap. With real weapons.


    His instincts screamed danger. Without hesitation, he turned and headed back toward William.


    “There are footprints up ahead,” Marc said quickly when he caught sight of him. “Several people. Looks recent.”


    William’s jaw tightened. “Are you sure?”


    Marc nodded, his face unreadable. “Let’s check it out.”


    William didn’t hesitate. He pushed forward through the trees, branches snapping underfoot. His mind was fixed on one thing—finding Ste.


    Behind him, Marc slowed. When William disappeared into the thicket, Marc silently turned in the opposite direction and vanished deeper into the forest.


    William had been following the faint trail for nearly ten minutes when a shadow emerged between the trees. A burly man stepped into his path, his grin wide and cruel.


    “Well, well… Mr. Briggs,” he drawled, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”


    William’s eyes narrowed. The faint roar of the ocean drifted from nearby—the cliff wasn’t far. The rhythmic crash of waves against jagged rocks echoed like distant thunder.


    The man’s grin widened. “Mr. Drake told us to wait here. Said if you didn’t show up soon, we’d have toe looking for you ourselves.”


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    William’s voice dropped several degrees. “Where is Ste?”


    “The lovely bride?” The man chuckled darkly. “Rx. Miss Carter’s taking good care of her.”


    He lifted his gun, eyes gleaming with malice. “As for you… Mr. Drake said we could do whatever we please.”


    The next second, chaos erupted.


    Gunfire tore through the air—deafening and relentless. William dove behind a fallen tree trunk, bark splintering as bullets ripped past. There were too many of them—six, maybe more. Each shot came closer, forcing him lower into the dirt.


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