TB

CHAPTER 129

From the mansion’s top-floor balcony, the entire surroundings were visible in a single glance. Campbell watched his superior’s back while holding his breath as the man stood in front of the railing.

Inside, soldiers were bustling around. They all were familiar with the ghost of the torture chamber, having previously been assigned to guard the annex. One of them urgently relayed the situation over the phone to the personnel waiting outside.

“Bella has escaped.”

Campbell felt awkward. It was somewhat revealing to assign a beautiful woman’s codename to the operation target, exposing the superior’s intentions too transparently.

He approached his superior, looking down from the balcony to see the personnel they had placed around the mansion garden and annex moving according to the operation plan.

The annex’s maid and guards acted out their scripted roles, and the garden was emptied as directed. So far, everything was going perfectly according to plan. However, the superior’s mood seemed as twisted as his skewed necktie knot.

It was more than just the tension and importance of a high-stakes operation that made him on edge. Campbell, having observed him for a long time, knew there was a deeper reason.

‘She chose to flee in the end.’

As the woman walking along the road beyond the wall disappeared from view, Leon handed the binoculars to Campbell and entered the house. He passed soldiers chattering on the phones and headed downstairs.

Indeed, it had all been an act.

Pretending to be in love, hoping it would make him let his guard down. The woman must have thought so.

You’re under the illusion that your plan worked.

Leon chuckled softly.

It was typical of her to start plotting as soon as she regained her strength.

Of course, it was futile.

He had been aware of her tricks from the beginning. Since there was nothing to lose, he had played along with her adorable antics, pretending to be in love with her. It was unexpected for him to have a talent for it. Acting as if he was in love was surprisingly easy.

Leon suddenly wondered who would win the Best Actor award in this thriller movie filled with deceit.

The woman was a formidable contender. She sometimes showed signs of wavering but managed to play her role convincingly.

Yes, it was all just an act. But what about this bitter aftertaste?

He couldn’t pretend not to understand its significance.

Pretending to be in love, hoping she wouldn’t leave him. He realized he had been harboring such a foolish hope only when he saw the woman pulling out a gun and stepping out of the annex.

Perhaps there was even a faint belief that she would no longer play with his heart. Foolishly so.

Feeling betrayed once again as he stepped outside the building, he got into the waiting car. A black sedan exited the mansion’s main gate, circling the road to head towards the center of the nearest town, Halewood.

The sedan avoided the main road, following narrow back alleys until it stopped behind a shabby two-story building.

As Campbell opened the door, Leon immediately stepped out and headed to the first floor of the building. Inside the shop, with its doors firmly shut, the waiting soldiers stood up and saluted in unison. Leon’s gaze fell on the highest-ranking among them.