Chapter 123

Scarlett’s POV

"Fine, I'll consider that a debt you owe me."

I smiled with acceptance, gently placing my hand on the gun pressed against my back.

"How do you plan to get me out of here?"

"We'll jump into the sea together. Are you afraid? My people are waiting nearby. As long as we don't drown, I can take you away."

I turned my head to look directly into his eyes.

In the dim light, those eyes were unfathomably deep, yet strangely comforting.

He was serious. Jumping into the sea—it was our only escape.

"Alright, then take me with you."

As soon as the words left my mouth, he tightly gripped my fingers and rushed outside.

The moment we stepped onto the deck, urgent footsteps echoed from all directions.

Blinding searchlights suddenly illuminated us, exposing us to everyone's view.

Bodyguards swarmed like a tide, surrounding us completely in the blink of an eye.

Looking at the dense crowd, I instinctively tightened my grip on his hand.

"Afraid?" His teasing voice whispered in my ear.

Of course I was afraid. How could I not be?

"Follow me, step backward."

He spoke softly, shifting his feet, gradually moving toward the railing at the edge of the deck.

Just then, the sound of unhurried footsteps emerged from the crowd.

The throng parted automatically, clearing a path.

My heart constricted sharply. Even without looking, I knew who it was.

Alexander appeared in my line of sight, wearing a light blue shirt embroidered with golden irises.

"Come here!"

He didn't shout, but the authority in his voice silenced the entire deck.

I stood motionless, my right hand still firmly clasping the mysterious man's hand.

Our fingers were tightly intertwined, as if even death couldn't separate us.

I didn't know why I remained still—whether out of defiance or something else.

Among the crowd, Vernon's subordinates began shouting.

"Kill her! She tried to murder our boss! She's asking for death!"

"Alexander, is she your woman? Did you want our boss dead?"

Another gruff voice demanded.

The sea breeze ruffled Alexander's clothes, accentuating his tall figure.

"Vernon isn't dead, is he?"

His irritated tone spread across the entire deck.

From this distance, I couldn't clearly see his expression.

"She is my woman, but her attempt on Vernon's life has nothing to do with me."

Those words severed any connection between us like a knife.

My heart grew numb, and a cold realization washed over me—he was right, there was indeed nothing between us.

"Do you like him?" the mysterious man beside me asked in a low voice, his tone clearly mocking.

My fingers tightened, and then I spoke flatly.

"We've only slept together. It's nothing like affection."

"Indeed, merely conquering a woman physically is meaningless."

Before he finished speaking, I felt his body tense.

In the next second, he raised his hand, and a bullet grazed my cheek, heading straight for Alexander.

I instinctively reached out to stop him, but the mysterious man held my hand firmly, immobilizing me.

"Go!" he commanded.

The bullet struck Alexander's shoulder, and blood immediately gushed out, blooming on his light-colored clothing like a massive red camellia.

But he only trembled slightly, his gaze remaining as sharp as ever.

"Mr. Gray!" Luke's shocked voice rang out.

At the same time, Vernon's men rushed toward us.

The mysterious man pulled me backward, his voice urgent: "Stop looking! We need to go!"

But my gaze remained fixed on Alexander, watching the blood continuously pouring from his wound.

The man had already climbed onto the railing. A speedboat was approaching the yacht—clearly his pre-arranged escape vehicle.

The sea wind howled, disheveling my hair and blurring my vision.

Among the crowd trying to kill me, I could no longer see Alexander.

"Stop looking! He's always wanted to kill you!" the mysterious man urged. "Scarlett, come with me. I'll take care of you for the rest of your life!"

I'll take care of you for the rest of your life.

I couldn't help but smile, turning to look at him.

"How many times have we met? I don't even know what you look like. What makes you think you can promise to take care of me for a lifetime?"

His eyes widened slightly, apparently not expecting my refusal.

"Thank you!"

I said softly, prying open his tightly gripping fingers while gently pushing him away.

With a splash, his figure disappeared into the dark ocean.

Almost simultaneously, the cold barrel of a gun pressed against my forehead.

I didn't turn around, nor did I feel afraid.

I closed my eyes, waiting for death to come.

But the expected pain never arrived, even as the sound of gunshots continued to echo around me.

A few seconds later, I opened my eyes to find a blood-covered figure standing before me, blood flowing continuously from his shoulder.

"In such a hurry to die?" Alexander asked me.

I blinked in confusion. "Weren't you always trying to get rid of me?"