Chapter 4

Joshua slammed on the accelerator and drove the snow vehicle out of the camp.

Wendy sat in the passenger seat and sighed.

"Linda really went too far this time. She even dared to impersonate an international rescue team just to spite you.

"If word got out, the entire expedition team would be punished, and you would be blamed for it too, Josh."

Joshua tightened his grip on the steering wheel and snorted.

"She's insane. She'll resort to any low-handed tactic to compete for my attention. I must have been blind to fall for her in the first place.

"Once this mission ends, I'll kick her off the team and cut ties with her for good!"

The snow vehicle raced across the ice sheet.

I floated in midair and followed behind them.

The vehicle rounded a bend, and several rescue vehicles blocked the road ahead.

A security cordon had already been set up, and more than a dozen members of the international rescue team were gathered around one spot.

Joshua had no choice but to hit the brakes, his brows drawn tightly together.

"Did they really go all out to make this act look convincing? How much did Linda pay to get so many people to play along with her?”

Wendy shrank back and pretended to be frightened as she clutched his arm.

"Josh, this looks terrifying. What if something really happened?"

Joshua turned to her, and his voice immediately softened.

"You're just too innocent. How can you still let her fool you? Have you forgotten how she nearly got you hurt last time, then turned around and accused you of entering the restricted area?

"I'll expose her right now and see how she plans to keep this act going!"

He pushed open the door and climbed out.

At that moment, Chunk brought another off-road vehicle to a screeching halt beside them.

The door was kicked open, and Chunk jumped out with red-rimmed eyes.

He charged over and punched Joshua square in the face.

"Joshua, you're truly heartless!"

The punch sent Joshua staggering back two steps, and his cheek quickly swelled.

Joshua flew into a rage and grabbed Chunk.

"Chunk, have you lost your mind? How dare you lay a hand on me?"

Chunk pointed toward the area inside the cordon, his voice hoarse beyond recognition.

"An act? Joshua, open your damn eyes and take a good look! Go see who’s lying there!"

Joshua shoved Chunk aside, his face full of mockery.

"Fine. I’ll look! I’m going to expose her in front of everyone today and see how she plans to explain herself!"

He tore down the security cordon and stormed into the rescue team’s perimeter.

A black rescue stretcher rested on the snow in the center, covered by a thick thermal blanket.

Joshua strode over to it and looked down with a cold laugh.

"Linda, stop pretending. Do you really think this stunt will make me soften and forgive you? Get up right now! Stop making a fool of yourself!"

The person on the stretcher did not respond. There was not even the slightest rise and fall of her chest.

Joshua gritted his teeth, his patience completely gone.

"Fine. You insist on putting on this act?"

He suddenly reached out and flung the thermal blanket aside.

I lay curled into a ball, my body long since stiffened, yet my eyes remained fixed on him.