Chapter 2249 Gautier’s Betrayal
“Don’t kill her!” Emmanuel’s voice cut through the tension.
Teddy’s grip on Aurora’s throat cased–just slightly. He wasn’t stupid. If she died, so would his last bargaining chip.
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A cruel smirk stretched across his face. “If you want her to live, chop off one of your legs. With that, you won’t be able to chase me, and I’ll walk away. Simple, right?”
Emmanuel’s expression darkened.
Aurora tried to force words out of her mouth, but her voice failed her. Instead, she locked eyes with Emmanuel and silently pleaded, Commander Lowe… I’m just a mistress… a woman with no worth…Don’t waste your time on me. Don’t let Teddy get away!For God’s sake–don’t you dare cut off your leg!
Her expression was desperate, her gaze sharp despite the suffocating grip around her throat.
However, Emmanuel didn’t hesitate. His voice was firm. “Fine! As long as you don’t harm her, we can negotiate.”
Aurora’s chest tightened. No! He couldn’t be serious. She couldn’t let him do this.
Summoning what little strength she had left, she tried to bite down on her tongue–opting for death rather than becoming a bargaining chip.
Teddy was quicker. His fingers clamped over her jaw, stopping her before she could do any real damage.
Her mouth filled with the metallic taste of blood. Through shaky breaths, she stammered, “C–Commander -Lowe… I’m… just a mistress… a woman with no worth… Don’t waste… your time… on me.”
Yet, Emmanuel’s voice cut through, unwavering. “No! You were my teammate in the Black Wolf Team. Now, you’re my people in the Wolf Warrior Unit. I don’t care about your past. As long as I’m standing, you live. That’s an order.”
He mused, Me? The Wolf Warrior King? What kind of leader would I be if I couldn’t even protect my own teammate? How could I claim to safeguard my country if I let those under my command fall?
Tears welled up in Aurora’s eyes.
Teddy let out a sharp laugh. “Same old Emmanuel. Years ago, you sacrificed a mission to save your team. Now, you’re doing it again. Some things never change.”
Emmanuel didn’t argue. He had reflected on that decision for years, and even now, he wouldn’t have done it any differently.
To him, a man who turned his back on his own people wasn’t a man at all.
Teddy’s smirk widened. “Enough talk. Do it. Cut off your leg.”
Emmanuel knew Teddy wouldn’t actually kill Aurora–he needed her as leverage. Yet, Emmanuel wasn’t willing to gamble with her life.
This was a battle of nerves, a test of who would break first. Whoever held firm would come out on top.
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Chapter 2249 Gautier’s Betrayal
Teddy tensed, watching closely, wary of a trick.
Yet, Emmanuel didn’t move.
Teddy scowled. “Dragging this out won’t help. The longer you stall, the more she suffers.”
Then, a new voice sliced through the silence. “Emmanuel, how about we strike a deal?”
Teddy’s body stiffened. Who the hell is that?!
He was too focused on Emmanuel to notice that there was a fourth person present.
+8 Pearls
However, Emmanuel remained calm. He had sensed Gautier’s presence for a while but had intended to deal with him after eliminating Teddy.
What caught him off guard was Gautier’s boldness–choosing the perfect moment to step forward on his
own terms.
“Well, let’s hear it,” Emmanuel spoke coolly.
He was cornered–Aurora’s life hung in the balance, and Teddy was still standing. It was worth considering if making a temporary deal with Gautier meant securing both objectives.
Gautier read Emmanuel’s intentions instantly. His voice was calm and calculated. “I’ll help you get Aurora back. In return, you let me walk away. No loose ends. Deal?”
Teddy’s gut churned. He had always sensed Gautier’s ambition, but without proof, he had kept him close, using him where needed. He just never expected the betrayal to come so quickly–or at such a crucial
moment.
“Gautier, have you lost your d*mn mind?” Teddy spat.
Emmanuel tilted his head slightly. “Isn’t Teddy your master? You’re really throwing him aside now?”
Gautier scoffed. “Spare me the theatrics. We both know how this ends. So, do we have a deal or not?”
Emmanuel let out a quiet chuckle, lowering his hand. He had been waiting for Gautier to step out at the perfect moment.
The situation was obvious. If Teddy killed Aurora, Emmanuel would have no choice but to end him on the spot: And if Teddy fell, Gautier wouldn’t be walking away either.
Gautier wasn’t here out of loyalty or principle. He was just playing his odds, looking out for himself, and Emmanuel knew it.
Teddy let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. “Impressive, Gautier. Smart. Ambitious. Cutthroat. I admire that. I just never thought you’d betray me.”
Gautier’s expression remained neutral. “Don’t flatter yourself. You dangled power before me but never let me take your place. Since that’s the case, why not seize control myself?”
Teddy’s lips curled into a cold grin. “Gautier, I have to admit, I’m impressed. In some ways, you surpass even Emmanuel. If you stand by me now, everything I’ve built could still be yours.”
Gautier wasn’t buying it. “Your survival isn’t up to me–it’s up to him.” He nodded toward Emmanuel.
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Chapter 2249 Gautier’s Betrayal
Emmanuel didn’t hesitate. “Fine. Save Aurora, kill Teddy, and you walk free.
One life for two–a deal worth making. No hesitation. No second–guessing.
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Gautier smirked, wasting no time. He drew his gun and leveled it at Teddy, his movements smooth and assured.
Teddy’s jaw clenched. “You little-
Bang!
The gunshot echoed through the trees.
Unlike Emmanuel, Gautier didn’t hesitate. The moment he pulled the trigger, the shot was fired–swift and decisive.
Teddy flinched, instinctively pulling Aurora in front of him.
Yet–no bullet hit.
Instead, a burst of bright sparks lit up the sky.
Seriously?! Teddy’s eyes flickered with confusion.
Then, a crushing force slammed into him.
A blazing heat burst around Emmanuel, crackling in the air.
Teddy barely had time to react before his body was launched backward.
Blood sprayed from his lips.
Aurora stumbled forward, coughing.
Then, a sudden force yanked her off balance, pulling her in.
When she snapped back to reality, she found herself pressed against a firm and warm chest.
“You okay?” Emmanuel’s voice was steady, his grip firm.
Aurora trembled, tears clouding her vision. She swallowed the lump in her throat and whispered, “Thank you, Commander Lowe.”
A thought gripped her, overwhelming and foreign. Someone actually fought for me. Risked everything. I was supposed to be disposable. Worthless. Just something to be used and discarded. Yet, here I am–alive–because he wouldn’t let me go.
“We’re teammates. No need to thank me,” Emmanuel responded.
Emmanuel gently set Aurora down before shifting his focus. His eyes locked onto Gautier, who was now attempting to drag a barely conscious Teddy away.
