The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 844

While the two men engaged in their polite introductory exchange, Abel remained standing just behind Payton with his arms crossed, as silent and imposing as a guardian statue.

But behind his stoic facade, he was quietly analyzing Callahan.

When Callahan's gaze naturally shifted to him, Abel offered a polite, measured nod, which Callahan returned in equal measure.

"The sun is brutal out here. Let's head inside the shelter to talk," Payton suggested, steering the group toward the relatively cool shade of the bamboo structure.

The interior was incredibly rudimentary—just a rough-hewn wooden table and a few handmade bamboo chairs. Spread across the table was a worn, hand-drawn map covered in various cryptic symbols.

While Payton and Callahan continued their pleasantries and transitioned into discussing tomorrow's departure plan, Abel intentionally fell a few steps behind, leaning in slightly toward Leilani.

"Dr. Sloan," he whispered, "is this the legendary loaded boyfriend who drops cash without blinking?"

Callahan's presence was intensely commanding; Abel hadn't even dared to breathe too loudly while standing near him. After all, he still vividly remembered the time Callahan casually bought an entire property outright just because he was worried about Leilani. That level of casual wealth was hard to forget.

Leilani almost burst out laughing at Abel's blunt, unpolished summary. She quickly swallowed the chuckle, though her lips curved into an unstoppable smile. She nodded and gave a soft, "Yeah."

It was a crude way to put it, but... it wasn't exactly wrong.

"The coordinates from the pendant lead straight into the deepest heart of the rainforest. I ventured in there once when I was young, and let me tell you—there are virtually no paths."

"The entire forest is crawling with venomous insects, apex predators, and deadly miasma swamps. Even the locals who have lived in this region for generations won't dare go deep unless absolutely forced to."

Callahan leaned over the table, closely studying the hand-drawn map, noting that it was far more detailed than any of the satellite data they had reviewed.

"You mentioned you went in there when you were young?"