At this moment, two outsiders were blending in with the crowd of rescue teams. However, everyone was so focused on the rescue that they were oblivious to the duoâs presence. Their eyes fixed on Ethan in the snowy field revealed their murderous intent.
âMr. Quarles, the situation is worse than anticipated. There are over twenty people trapped below. We must set off explosives to make a path, but it may trigger other reactions. Because of that, we havenât decided on what to do next.â
âAssess and execute the most favorable plan,â Ethan commanded.
âYes, Mr. Quarles.â As Ethan took a deep breath, the bright white snow reflected on his handsome face, making his calm and composed demeanor stand out. âMr. Quarles, thereâs a natural cave entrance on the back mountain. We can enter from there, but we arenât entirely sure if itâs safe. We dare not go in recklessly.â
Ethan, who had many years worth of exploration experience, was perhaps more qualified than the engineers here. He turned to his assistant, Jacques, and ordered, âJacques, please get me a set of equipment.â
Jacquesâ face paled with fear. âMr. Ethan, you canât go in there.â
âItâs urgent. We canât afford to worry about everything now. There are over twenty lives in there waiting for me to rescue them.â Ethan only made this decision after careful consideration. âBut-â
âNo buts. Hurry, Ethan instructed in a low voice. Reluctantly, Jacques and one of the bodyguards went to retrieve the expedition. equipment. Meanwhile, the chief engineer, King, took the opportunity to advise Ethan, âMr. Quarles, you donât have to walk into danger yourself. Please let the rescue team handle the rescue mission. You are too important to do something like this.â
âI have eight years of experience in exploration. I am more capable of handling unexpected events than anyone here. Iâm going in, Ethan insisted. King felt deeply moved when he heard that. This was the most humane employer he had ever worked for.
âIn that case, please be careful, Mr. Quarles. I will oversee the rescue on land.â Jacques soon brought two sets of equipment over, to which Ethan frowned after examining them. âYouâre going in too?â
âWherever you are, Iâll be there, Mr. Quarles.â Jacques huffed, âI canât leave you alone.â Ethan, however, spoke in all seriousness. âYou donât have the experience in this. You canât go in. Stay here.â
Jacques was sullen after hearing that.. However, the bodyguard beside him took the equipment out of his hands. âI will go with Mr. Quarles.â
Six other bodyguards behind him had already prepared their equipment. They were Ethanâs accompanying team. When two men hiding not far away watched as Ethan prepared to go in for the rescue, they exchanged glances with a hint of delight in their eyes.
They had finally waited for the perfect opportunity. Ethan would personally participate in the rescue mission for the disaster that was actually the two menâs doing. They had installed a powerful explosive at the entrance of the cave, causing it to collapse..
Their initial plan was to draw the main forces of the base to this location so that it would be easier for them to assassinate Ethan if he remained in the base. They hadnât anticipated that Ethan would personally participate in the rescue.
Even though Jacques was worried, he knew he couldnât persuade Ethan. He could only step forward and remind, âMr. Ethan, please be careful. You must come out immediately if it gets dangerous.â
âI know,â Ethan replied. He was aware that this rescue mission carried risks, but there were over twenty workers still trapped underground. He wanted to help as long as he could be of assistance.
Over twenty people set off from the rear cave entrance for the rescue. They took the lead and entered the cave, while Ethan, accompanied by the six bodyguards, descended into the cavern using a suspension rope.
The main rescue efforts were focused in front. At the cave entrance, four engineers and two assistants remained on guard. They had set up a communication station to maintain contact with the people inside the cave.
However, four men suddenly approached the six of them 15 minutes later. Just as the latter were about to question their identities, silenced bullets instantly took their lives. âGet in,â the leader of the men commanded. âOur target is Ethan Quarles. Kill him.â
Subsequently, more than ten people equipped with ropes emerged and leaped down the cave, This was both a rescue mission and a murder plot.