She turned and headed back to her room, pleased with her preparations.

She had already planned carefully what to say to avoid arousing any suspicion.

Everything was ready.

A few minutes later, just as she was about to fall asleep, the door opened abruptly. Her drowsiness vanished as she heard the noise.

Gerard had arrived.

There he was.

She took a deep breath, sat up straight in the chair, and as the bright light dimmed, she smiled.

Then, someone touched her shoulder, causing her to feel weak and numb.

She involuntarily groaned as a large hand moved around her waist.

Just as she was about to give in, she sensed something off about the man.

She recalled the distinct fragrance that Gerard always had, but this man only smelled of the sea and rotten clothing.

Realizing this, she snapped to alertness. She turned and, under the faint glow of the candlelight, saw the man before her.

This was not Gerard. She recognized this man.

He was the one who had eyed her with lust earlier.

She had an impulse to kill him.

“Get out! Ah-I'm going to kill you"

The thought of this man touching her shoulder fueled her murderous thought even further.

The man, trying not to draw attention, attempted to calm her. “Beauty, please be quiet. I like you. I would do anything for you, and you will..."

Mid-sentence, the man pounced on her.

Karol, terrified, seized the opportunity to kick him in the groin.

She then ran out of the room, screaming, “Mr. Harris, help!"

When she arrived at the room where Gerard stayed, she slapped the door.

Gerard woke up, and so did the others. They all gathered at his door.

As Gerard opened the door and stepped out, Karol rushed into his arms, hugging him tightly. With a voice full of distress, she exclaimed, "Mr. Harris, there's a bastard on our ship!"