Ss threw his head back inughter. It was then that a well–dressed young man entered the room. He


    was suave and elegant, his gaze sharply assessing M.


    Smiling, he approached her and introduced himself, “I’m Murray Manning, deputy leader of Nightshade.


    Mr. Vaughn is getting on in years and he’s not in the best of health. If you have any concerns, you may


    address them to me.”


    “I’m here to exchange information on M for Nathan. Release him, and I’ll tell you everything I know


    about M and the whereabouts of over 40 bottles of hydronium,” M


    said.


    “All right,” Murray replied with a thin smile.


    Unable to contain his rage, Ss grabbed a ss and swung it wildly at Murray, who deftly sidesteps


    the blow. Ss bellowed in anger, “You fool! How dare you take Nathan behind my back?”


    Murray remained calm. He carefully picked up the ss that had fallen and ced it back on the tray.


    “Mr. Vaughn, you’re getting older, and your physical condition is not good.


    “You’re too hesitant and youck the guts. It’s time for you to step down.”


    Ss far orted with rage. Anger zed in his eyes as he clenched his teeth and red at


    Murray.


    Meanwhile, Murray remained as calm and gentle as ever. There was a stark contrast in the attitudes of


    the two as they met each other’s


    .paze.


    Murray seemed even more frightening to M. Those who were callous knew how to hide what they felt


    and never let their true thoughts surface.


    After a moment of tense silence, Ss questioned furiously, “Are you trying to destroy Nightshade by


    trying to antagonize Nathan?”


    “Do you think I’m afraid of a dead man?” Murray grinned.


    M felt a sudden surge of panic and lost control of herself. Every nerve in her body aching as she


    screamed, “What have you done to Nate?”


    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    v was


    Murray was startled by M’s outburst. He began to look slightly somber. “You’re the bravestdy I’ve


    evere across.


    “The fact that you are here alone in the face of death shows that you are holding something of real


    value.


    M’s vision was clouded by tears. She held back from crying and asked, “Where’s Nate? Let me see


    him!”


    “Bring him from the water dungeon,” Murray instructed the men behind him.


    M’s heart was in pieces, but she clung to a glimmer of hope. Ss appeared old and


    bedridden. He seemed to have been eclipsed in power by Murray.


    That would exin why Ss had been oblivious to the fact that Murray had captured Nathan


    and was holding him in the Nightshade’sir.


    After a moment, two burly men dragged Nathan into the house and threw him to the floor. He was


    thoroughly drenched.


    M was on the brink of a breakdown at the sight of Nathan. She couldn’t believe what she had seen.


    He was all bruised and battered. He was barely conscious as hey in a pool of blood. M rushed


    forward and fell to her knees, trembling as she cradled Nathan’s head in her hands. Tears ran down her


    face and dripped onto Nathan’s pale cheeks. Her heart quivered with pain. It was as if it were in mes,


    torn apart, and pierced by a thousand arrows.


    She held Nathan’s shoulders and touched his cold face. “Nate, Nate…” M sobbed uncontrobly. Her


    voice was choked with grief. “Open your eyes. Look at me. It’s me, Wanda. I’m here to bring you home.


    Nate, open your eyes and look at me, okay?”


    Nathan didn’t move. He was pale and cold like a corpse. M was hurting so bad she couldn’t breathe.


    Her lips were quivering as she struggled for air. She ced her ear near Nathan’s nose but couldn’t


    hear his breathing causing her to panic.


    Desperation washed over her as she held on to Nathan and cried out, “Nate, wake up. It’s me, Wanda!


    Wake up! Don’t frighten me… please…”


    “I brought him here. Now, where’s M?” Murray’s voice rang out.