chapter359

Everyone froze, not just Damien. The room felt like it had stopped breathing.

"Vision Rejuvenation Grass?" someone repeated, disbelief thick in their voice. "That's right, Lydia said, her tone cool. "Name your price."

Damien scoffed and shook his head. "We don't have it." His words were clipped, almost mocking.

Vision Rejuvenation Grass was the pride of Mount Gemspire, a legendary herb that had been growing on the mountain for a hundred years. His boss had spent billions to buy Mount Gemspire was for that plant. And now these people were asking for it like it was nothing? Dream on.

"You don't have it?" Lydia's eyes narrowed.

"We don't. Please leave." Damien's answer was sharp and final.

A cold, dangerous light flickered in Lydia's eyes. She had seen that herb herself, growing quietly on the mountainside. Back then, she hadn't needed it, and picking it would have ruined its potency, so she let it be. Now she was here to buy it, and they dared to say it wasn't there? Seriously?

"What if I go into the mountains and find it myself?" Her voice dropped, each word icy and clear.

Damien's gaze hardened. She was definitely prepared. No one would sound so sure unless they had a plan.

Let's see if you can even get through the gate," Damien shot back.

He lifted his hand. In an instant, more than twenty men in black opened fire.

Potato let out a string of curses. "Are you kidding me? Shit!

Gunshots exploded around them, bullets slamming into the helicopter. The metal screeched and groaned, the whole craft shaking under the impact, and the force of it made it almost impossible to stay standing.

"Lydia, let's go!" Potato yelled.

If they hadn't ducked in time, they'd be riddled with holes by now.

Lydia's brow knitted in

concentration, her eyes cold and sharp as winter stars. There was nothing but icy resolve in her gaze, not the slightest hint of fear or ore hesitation. Her lips pressed into a line, but the faintest cruelest stile tugged at the corners, the kind that came from absolute confidence in what she was about to do.

She melted into the shadows, pulled out her M4A1, and leveled it at Damien. Her

aim was flawless, always. Damien, to her, was already gone.

Her finger rested lightly on the trigger, her arms tense with quiet power. She

steadied her breath, letting the world fade away until only her target existed.

When the moment came, she moved without thinking. Her arm straightened, her wrist snapped, and her finger squeezed the trigger...

"Damien, stop!"

A familiar voice thundered from above.

Lydia's brow creased. Her bullet jerked off course at the last second.

There was a sharp crack, and the bullet zipped past Damien's ear, close enough to draw blood as it grazed his skin. He flinched, feeling the warm trickle slide down his cheek.

Potato stared at Lydia, stunned. "Lydia? Why didn't you ?"

Sweet Potato nodded toward the door. "It's quiet outside too."

Potato blinked, confused. What just happened?"

He'd been so focused on the chaos that he hadn't noticed the sudden silence.

Sweet Potato pointed to another helicopter settling nearby. "Someone's here."

The door swung open and Connor stepped out, dressed in a long black coat his entire presence cold and

commanding. He radiated a chill

that seemed to freeze the ai around

him.

Damien forgot his pain and rushed forward, his face a mix of shock and respect.

"Sir, you... what brings you here?"

Connor stood tall and unyielding, his presence enough to make anyone uneasy. He lifted his chin, eyes hard, his voice ringing with authority.

"Who said you could start shooting?"