Chapter 2004
In the heart of Zovince, along the bustling airport road, four sleek black SUVS
glided through the night, their engines humming softly against the backdrop
of the urban symphony. Within the second vehicle of the convoy sat an
elderly man, heavily bespectacled, who had closed his eyes to rest.
“Mr. Hale, we have arrived at the airport,” a voice called from inside the
vehicle, shattering the stillness that enveloped him. Slowly, the old man opened his eyes, revealing bloodshot irises that betrayed his exhaustion.
He forced a weary smile, patting his face in an attempt to shake off the
fatigue that clung to him. “We’ve arrived so quickly? I had hoped to rest a bit
longer. Thank you for your hard work.”
As he spoke, a robust man seated beside him had already exited the vehicle,
swiftly opening the door with a practiced ease.
“Thank you,” the elderly man expressed gratefully as he stepped out into the
cool night air.
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The muscular bodyguard nodded slightly, taking his place behind Mr. Hale.
His sharp gaze scanned the surroundings, ever vigilant. As the distinguished
official’s protector, his duty was to ensure his charge’s safety at all times.
Moments later, a female aide clad in a crisp black uniform approached, her
demeanor a blend of urgency and respect. “Sir, the Northern Region General
has arranged a security detail for you. The team leader, code–named Wolf, is
en route to ensure your safety during this trip.”
“Oh, is that so?” Mr. Hale replied, his tone lightening as he considered the
familiar rapport he shared with Santiago, the esteemed general from the
Northern Region. Naturally, he accepted the arrangements made on his
behalf. However, glancing at his watch, he frowned slightly. “There’s still some
time. I’ll head into the airport and wait for him before we board.”
The bodyguard’s discontent flickered across his expression, but he chose to remain silent in the public setting, understanding the weight of his duty.
As the group entered the airport, they made their way to a special waiting area reserved for their private flight. Around fifteen minutes later, Emmanuel,
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winded and hurrying, pulled up outside the terminal. Due to the rush, the
hundred–member elite unit he had planned to escort had not yet arrived.
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“Mr. Hale is already in the waiting lounge,” Sage, who had been coordinating
logistics, reported as he leaped out of the car, determination etched across
his face.
Emmanuel merely nodded and quickened his pace toward the terminal. The
bustling Zovince airport, alive with movement at one–thirty in the morning,
pulsated with surreal energy. Shadows of passengers flickered beneath the
harsh overhead lights, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere in the
otherwise tranquil night.
Despite their urgency, Emmanuel and Sage adhered to the usual security protocols during the check–in process. As they stood in line, Emmanuel’s gaze wandered around the airport. He noticed two attendants clad in sleek black uniforms heading toward the exclusive boarding area for their private
aircraft.
At first, he dismissed them as just another part of the crowd. However, the
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Chapter 2004 The Mysterious Attendant
confident stride of the pair soon ignited a spark of suspicion within him.
Sensing something was amiss, he attempted to bypass security to pursue
them but was swiftly halted.
“Sir, please follow the rules,” a security officer admonished, his tone firm yet
professional.
Seeing the two attendants vanish from view, Emmanuel felt a swell of
frustration. He turned back and quietly relayed his concern to Sage, “Find a
way to notify Mr. Hale not to board just yet.”
Sage hesitated for a brief moment, his brow furrowing in thought, before
quickly nodding in agreement.
With time running short in the security line, Emmanuel spotted a chance
amidst the crowd. Drawing on his remarkable speed, he slipped through the
bustling airport, racing toward the private lounge where Mr. Hale awaited.
At one–thirty in the morning, Ethan glanced at his watch, concern etching
lines across his brow. “Why hasn’t Mr. Wolf arrived yet? I need to board.”
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04 The Mysterious Attenders
The female aide hurried over, her voice a hurried whisper. “Mr. Hale, Mr. Wolf
instructed that you should hold off on boarding until he arrives.”
“Really-” Ethan felt a twinge of uncertainty, his thoughts swirling.
Behind him, the muscular bodyguard finally broke his silence, his voice a low
growl. “Who does he think he is? What right does he have to dictate Mr. Hale’s
schedule? This trip is crucial for the welfare of the people and the support of
the national elections. We cannot afford any delays.”
Ethan understood the significance of their timely arrival in Riverhaven. Any
misstep could be seized upon by his two rival candidates, potentially
undermining his standing in the eyes of the public. Yet, he also recognized
the strategic acumen of the Northern Region General. As one of the
highest–ranking officials in Chanaea, Ethan could surmise the weight of
Emmanuel’s identity.
This man was likely the legendary warrior from the Northern Region, known
for his unparalleled victories in battle. The insistence that they postpone
boarding suggested deeper motives, reasons that extended beyond the
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Chapter 2004 The Mysterious Attendant
simple necessity of waiting for his arrival.
“Mr. Hale, I’ll accompany you onto the plane. With me around, I can ensure
your safety.”
The sturdy man spoke with unwavering determination, his expression tinged
with irritation. His name was Chester Collier. His father, Pierre Collier, had
been hailed as the strongest bodyguard in the world. Tragically, Pierre had
been ambushed and killed while protecting the former national leader, who
had also fallen victim to the same attack.
In an instant, the reputation Pierre had built over decades was shattered,
leaving a profound impact on his family. As his son, Chester felt a burning
desire to uphold his father’s legacy. He was resolute in his mission to protect
Ethan Hale until the day he ascended to the esteemed position of national
leader.
However, the recent decision by the Northern Region General to assign a
guard team to Ethan was a clear affront to Chester. It implied a lack of faith in
This abilities, suggesting that, with him as the protector, Ethan was still not
Chapter 2004 The Mysterio Attendant
safe enough. The General commanded great respect, and Chester dared not
offend him. Yet, the delay of Emmanuel, who had yet to arrive, ignited a
simmering anger within Chester. Did Ethan truly need to wait for someone
who might not even show up before boarding the plane?
“Very well”
Ethan, a personable figure, had forged a solid friendship with the former
national leader over thirty years. His bond with Pierre, who had diligently
protected him for three decades, only added to the weight of the moment.
Noticing the young man seethed with fury, Ethan decided it was time to
board the plane and await Emmanuel. After all, his schedule was of utmost
importance and could not be delayed any further.
With that decision made, his female assistant and accompanying personnel
followed him onto the aircraft.
To their surprise, as soon as they settled into their seats, a flight attendant
approached, accompanied by another staff member. She delivered the
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unexpected news that the plane would be taking off fifteen minutes early.
“Why the early departure?” Ethan inquired, furrowing his brow in perplexity.
“Mr. Hale, we’ve detected a weather issue along the route. To ensure your
safety, we may need to alter our flight path, which would extend our travel
time by an additional fifteen minutes. To guarantee we arrive on time, we
must take off early.”
The male flight attendant explained meticulously, a subtle smirk curling at
the corners of his mouth, hinting at a sense of satisfaction in delivering
unwelcome news.
“Is that so?” Ethan’s frown deepened, his concern growing. “Why wasn’t I
informed of this sooner?”
“Mr. Hale, with your numerous responsibilities, we didn’t think it necessary to
trouble you with such minor details. Our captain can make these decisions
independently.”
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The attendant’s dismissive response left Ethan thoroughly dissatisfied, a
sense of unease settling over him.
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His female assistant, sensing the tension, was poised to voice her discontent,
ready to reprimand the attendants for their lack of professionalism. However,
the flight crew turned and left without another word, leaving a palpable
tension in the air.
The aircraft doors sealed shut with a finality that sent a shiver down Ethan’s
spine, and the engines began to roar to life, drowning out the last sounds of
their conversation.
“This is bad,” he muttered under his breath, the knot of worry tightening in his
stomach.
At that moment, Emmanuel rushed into the airport terminal, his eyes
widening as he spotted the plane beginning its taxi down the runway.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he sprinted forward, leaping onto the wing
with a determination fueled by instinct.
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For an ordinary person, such an act would be akin to courting death, but
Emmanuel executed the maneuver with remarkable ease, his demeanor
calm and collected amidst the chaos.
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With the plane departing early and the two figures who had appeared less
than trustworthy still fresh in his mind, Emmanuel surmised that this
connecting flight had to be riddled with trouble. He needed to find a way to
ensure Ethan’s safety.
The roar of the engines grew deafening, echoing around him like thunder,
vibrating through the air. Emmanuel found himself exposed on the wing, the
noise nearly overwhelming. Desperate, he shattered the nearest window and
vaulted inside the plane, his heart pounding in his chest.
What he encountered inside was utterly astonishing.
In this section of the cabin, two men and two women, disguised as
attendants and flight crew, were pulling components from their bags and
loading bullets into makeshift handguns. The sight was surreal, shattering the
veneer of normalcy that air travel usually held.
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As Emmanuel burst into the cabin, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The
air felt as though it had frozen in place, the tension thick enough to cut with a
knife.