Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2567

“No matter what his intentions are, a provocation means death,” Bruce said coldly, his eyes like ice. “This knife’s already rusted—useless now.”

Just then, Bert strode over, his voice sharp and urgent.

“Gab—Mario’s struck back!”

Gab looked up, as if he’d been waiting for this moment all along. His tone was steady, but there was a steel edge to it.

“Stick to the plan.”

“Yes, sir!” Bert replied crisply. “I’ll pass down the orders right away.”

Gab nodded, every movement measured.

“End this fast. Don’t let it drag out. If push comes to shove, give him a little help.”

Bruce heard the tension in Gab’s voice, and something dark flickered in his eyes. He bowed his head.

“Understood.”

Gab rose from his seat and walked to the window of the watchtower, gazing out at the mercenaries drilling below on the training field.

“When Sean shows up, I’ll meet him myself.”

“Yes, sir!” Bruce and Bert replied in unison.

......

Giles and Mario’s battle was fierce and relentless, raging from the Citadel down to the foot of Ker Hill, and back again.

Mario had been one of Giles’ most trusted veterans. After defecting, he quickly rallied his own loyalists, and now he was openly rebelling.

For nearly a week, the two sides clashed, burning through weapons and men at a staggering pace. At last, in a haze of betrayal and fury, Giles managed to regain a sliver of composure. He called an emergency ceasefire and demanded a truce with Mario.

They arranged to meet in an abandoned factory warehouse.

The place was stripped bare—no cover, nowhere for an ambush to hide. Both leaders arrived with their entourages, the warehouse surrounded on all sides.

Giles glared at Mario across the empty space, his tone icy.

“I never thought the one to betray me in the end would be you.”

A jagged scar ran down Mario’s left cheek, and his eyes burned with barely contained rage.

Giles’ voice was low and chilling.

“Mario, I never ordered anyone to mutilate you. I just wanted you under guard for a while.”

“Don’t try to fool me with your lies, Giles,” Mario shot back. “No one knows what kind of man you really are better than I do.”

Giles’ tone shifted, becoming darker, more dangerous.

“Mario, even now—can’t you see you’re being used?”

“Used? By who?” Mario scoffed, pride flashing in his eyes. “All these years, you’ve been the one using me!”

Giles opened his mouth to retort, but before he could say a word, a gunshot rang out from behind him—no one could tell who fired.

Mario’s closest ally, Jay, took the bullet square in the chest. Blood sprayed nearly three feet before he collapsed to the ground.

Giles spun around, his voice thunderous with fury.

“Who fired that shot?!”