Semua Bab Goodbye, Saintess.: Bab 491 - Bab 500

"So let me go. I used to be a firefighter, so trust me when I say I'm not going anywhere except to get you to the hospital!"The woman slowly lowered her knife. "I don't care what you used to be. You're taking me to the hospital right now, or I'll kill you. Don't think I'm joking."I sighed and nodded. "Alright, alright. You got it."I pressed the pedal and sped toward the nearest hospital in Beaushire, hoping they had enough antivenom for every kind of snake bite imaginable.I had no idea who she was, but ordinary people didn't wander around waving knives. She didn't strike me as one of the good ones, yet she was still human. A life was a life. I could always call the cops once she got treated.I hadn't driven far when something cold touched the back of my neck—a sharp blade. My whole body tensed."Stop the car!" she barked.I pulled over on the side of the empty road. "What now, lady? We're in the middle of nowhere! Didn't you just get bitten by a snake?"She winced, her brea

I needed something to stop the venom from spreading. I didn't have the right medicine or an antidote, but I remembered a weed that grew along the roadside. It could ease pain and slow the venom's progress.I looked out the window and scanned the tall grasses, hoping luck would favor us.To the woman, though, my actions seemed like something else entirely—a man preparing to violate her."I can't believe you! I thought you were a good man! How dare you try to take advantage of me!" she hissed. Her legs were still on my shoulders. "You're checking if anyone's outside before forcing yourself on me! I won't let you! I'll kill you first!"Her shouting distracted me from searching, and I snapped, "Quit it! I'm trying to save your life!"She didn't believe me for a second. "Liar! You won't get what you want! I'd rather die than let you touch me, you bastard! I'll bite my tongue off and kill myself!"I glared at her in exasperation. Had the venom already reached her brain? She was talking

The doctor nodded grimly. "Understood. Let's get her in."The examination began. He asked about the snake's appearance and behavior. Ashera seemed remarkably alert—she answered each question with ease.That calmed me down. I stepped out of the ER to pay for her treatment, and by the time I returned, the doctor had finished."You brought her in just in time," he said. "And you handled the first aid well. We've given her the correct antivenom. She'll be fine."I let out a long breath of relief. Then I remembered her waving that dagger at me. "Uh, doctor, she's not my girlfriend. I just helped her on the roadside. I don't even know who she is. Did her name show up in any record when you logged her information?"The doctor blinked. "Wait… You're not her partner? She didn't deny it when I said you were. She even asked where you'd gone."I tapped my temple. "Guess the venom scrambled her brain a little. She's probably confused.""Well, she's fine otherwise," he said. "No hereditary il

Ashera frowned and stayed silent for a moment before shaking her head. "No, not now. Our biggest mistake was failing to spot the traitors among our ranks. Still, this could be the chance we need to root out the tumor in our organization and remove it completely."Anger flashed in her eyes. "Who were those two working with? They wouldn't have the guts to go against me unless someone was backing them!""It's as you guessed, Boss," the driver said. "They were supported by the Black Cougars of Beaushire. Jackie must've made an enemy out of them the last time he went there. That's likely why this crisis hit just as we Dragoons were planning to expand into the city.""Jackie?" Ashera's expression softened. "Is he alright? I would've been cornered and beaten to death if he hadn't risked his life to save me."Among all those who had revealed themselves as opportunists and traitors, Jackie was the only one who stayed loyal."His whereabouts are unknown, Donna. He might not have made it out

I frowned and studied Philip. From what Sam had told me, this man would make things as difficult as possible for us.I could handle a bit of posturing from anyone, but Philip had been putting on airs from the moment he stepped into the room. He didn't look like someone interested in reaching an agreement.I sighed and patted Sam's shoulder. "Don't worry. If he steps out of line, we're done. I don't need his help."Sam had nothing to do with my pharmaceutical factories being shut down. I was already asking too much by sending him on endless errands. The least I could do was keep him from being humiliated by a rival.Besides, I could always come up with another plan.I met Philip's gaze evenly. "Take a seat. What we're discussing today could bring us both real benefits."Philip frowned, clearly irritated by my lack of deference. But he couldn't lash out—his superiors had warned him not to. "Oh yeah? And what's in it for us?"He sat down. Sam motioned for the waiter to bring in the