?Chapter 321:


    As darkness enveloped thendscape, the path ahead grew increasingly obscure, the headlights cutting through the ck veil with precision.


    Elena, her features etched with concentration, pored over the map with unwavering focus, her brow furrowed in determination.


    Beside her, Wesley stole nces at her intense expression, a subtle hint of admiration flickering across his face.


    The moment the jeep rolled to a stop at the designated spot, Wesley leaned back casually, his hand nonchntly resting on the steering wheel while the other toyed with a silver lighter, an air of cool indifference enveloping him.


    Elena wasted no time; she swung the door open and stepped out into the chill of the night, her gaze lingering on Wesley for a fleeting second. “Stay here and wait for me. If I’m not back in two hours, head back without me,” she dered, her voice resolute.


    She thought Wesley would not follow her into the depths of the jungle. His assistance in driving her this far was invaluable, and she was indebted to him for it.


    As she turned to face the daunting expanse of the dark forest, a voice halted her. “Wait a moment!”


    Wesley’s deep, resonant voice echoed in the still air, tinged with amanding undertone.


    Elena turned, her eyes meeting Wesley’s as he stepped out of the jeep. The faint moonlight revealed the stern set of his jaw. “You really think I’d back down from danger?” he questioned sharply, his eyes narrowing slightly, a spark of defiance lighting them up.


    Elena’s expression tightened into a frown, her voiceced with disapproval. “This is my business. You shouldn’t be taking risks, and besides…”


    Her words trailed off, her hesitation palpable.


    Then she sighed, “Your injury hasn’t fully healed. It’s safer for you to stay in the car.”


    The firmness in her final words was contradicted by a faint smile that unexpectedly yed across Wesley’s lips.


    He held her gaze, the corners of his mouth curving slightly as he asked softly, “Are you worried about me?”


    His eyes shimmered with unspoken emotions.


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    Elena’s response was a wordless silence, her eyes briefly dropping—an implicit admission.


    His actions had woven a bond of trust and concern between them, and thest thing she wanted was for him toe to harm. So perhaps, he wasn’t entirely mistaken in his assumption.


    Wesley’s smile broadened.


    He moved to the trunk of their vehicle, pulling out two guns with practiced ease. Arching an eyebrow, he teased, “Do you know how to handle one of these?”


    Elena gave a curt nod, and without another word, he handed her a gun.


    Side by side, they slipped deeper into the forest, the underbrush whispering around them.


    Elena’s senses sharpened, her eyes scanning the ground as she deduced the number of their adversaries from the scattered footprints.


    They approached a rocky clearing where the aftermath of a violent skirmish was evident from the fallen bodies strewn across the terrain.


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