The Enigmatic Return (Neera and Jean) novel Chapter 1117

At precisely eight o'clock, the export cargo had been meticulously loaded and secured. The freighter resonated with the sonorous blast of its horn, signaling its readiness to set sail.

Amid the inky darkness of the cargo hold, Asher remained hidden, his instincts telling him that the ship had silently begun its voyage. Within the hold, the dangling ropes danced rhythmically, swaying to the ship's motion.

In a moment of elation, he exclaimed with excitement, “D*mn. I've been skulking about, like a rat darting across a busy street. At last, I can bid farewell to this godforsaken place!”

Once he was abroad, he could start over and relish life under the warm embrace of the sunlight.

Certainly, he had not forgotten that the person responsible for his humiliating predicament was none other than Jean. In the depths of his heart, he had nurtured a profound resentment toward this man for a long time.

“Just wait until I rise to success again. I'll find an opportunity to kill that son of a b*tch!”

About half an hour later, he grew a bit restless.

Thinking that the ship must have sailed far from the dock by now, he let his guard down, slipped out of the cargo hold, and made his way to the deck on the first level.

At this moment, the sea's surface lay cloaked in darkness. As far as the eye could discern, only occasional, distant lights offered a feeble glimpse of the world beyond.

He completely relaxed at that point and couldn't help throwing his head back and erupting into hearty laughter.

“This is awesome! Hah, still want to catch me, you bunch of good-for-nothings? Dream on! Sooner or later, I will crush you all like an ant!”

He spat out harsh words through gritted teeth, his eyes ablaze with fierce determination before bursting into an uncontrollable fit of wild laughter.

However, at that very moment, a nonchalant and icy voice reverberated from the second floor.

“Who do you want to crush?”

Amid the surrounding silence, with no one else in sight, the unexpected voice jolted Asher.

His laughter came to an abrupt halt as if an unseen hand had gripped his throat. Instantly, a shiver coursed through him, starting from the soles of his feet and creeping all the way to the crown of his head. His neck stiffened as he turned his gaze toward the second floor, his pupils contracting sharply.

Jean stood perched at the railing of the second floor, his icy gaze fixed firmly upon him.

He was dressed in a black suit that nearly merged with the night, but his presence was utterly unmistakable, impossible to ignore.

At that moment, Asher looked as if he had seen a ghost, his face filled with disbelief.

After a long while, he seemed to have finally found his voice again, asking in astonishment, “You... How come you're here?”

Jean's gaze was cold and indifferent as he looked down at the other man disdainfully, as if he were merely observing an insignificant ant.

“What's the matter? Surprised to see me? Have you realized that perhaps you celebrated a bit too early?” he asked.

Asher stood there, his mouth agape in utter bewilderment, struggling to comprehend the situation.

Nevertheless, he didn't have time to figure out what was going on. As his senses snapped back, a grave expression overcame his face. Clenching his teeth, he pivoted and sprinted away.

Unexpectedly, he had barely taken a few steps when he witnessed a group of his fellow companions, who had boarded the ship alongside him, held hostage by the police. At gunpoint, they emerged, trembling with fear.

Upon witnessing this scene, he was shocked and terrified, thrown into a state of panic.

How could this be? Why is this happening?

“When did you... When did you guys board the ship?” Left with no way out, he could only question in frustration and despair.

Jean let out a cold, humorless chuckle. “Since you're so curious, I might as well enlighten you before your demise. My men were there long before you even reached the dock. They were with you when you were putting on that little act with the cargo.”

Upon hearing this revelation, Asher was overcome by an overwhelming and paralyzing fear.

He couldn't believe that when he was moving cargo on the dock and boarding the ship disguised as an ordinary worker, he was already surrounded by Jean's men!

Cold sweat trickled down his skin as he was consumed by fear.

His plan, which he thought was foolproof, had actually been exposed long ago.

Ironically, he had been utterly oblivious, akin to a jester performing his antics under their scrutinizing gaze, striving for a futile escape.

“You b*stard...” He was both shocked and angry, raising his voice. “If you knew I was here all along, why didn't you act sooner?”

Maintaining an air of calm and composure, Jean delicately tugged at the corner of his lips, his voice steeped in cold, mocking tones.

“What's the rush? After all, you can't escape from the palm of my hand. I'll let you enjoy yourself for a while before you experience the bittersweet transformation from jubilation to despair.”

Asher seethed with such anger that it left him breathless. “You... you're heartless!”

Jean chuckled, “I'm flattered. Compared to your intention of crushing me, this little trick of mine is nothing.”

Right then, Nathaniel's men appeared on the deck, sternly warning Asher, “If you don't want to suffer, you'd better surrender now!”

How could Asher be willing to concede defeat so readily?

He was well aware of Jean's tactics and could imagine what horrible consequences would await him if he fell into Jean's grasp.

At that moment, his only option was to retreat, and before long, he found himself pressed up against the railing.

It'll be the end for me if I get caught anyway, so I might as well take a risk and fight for a chance to survive!

With that thought in mind, he made a snap decision, turned around, vaulted over the railing, and without the slightest hesitation, plunged into the depths of the sea.