Chapter 1537:

The ship’s deck looked like a steel maze, stacked with cargo containers of every shape. Overhead, searchlights roamed the scene like watchful eyes, forcing her to dart from one shadow to the next, avoiding the revealing light. The patrolling footsteps were a constant threat, tightening her grip on the knife. As she neared evasion, a sudden cry shattered the night, “The woman has escaped! Seize her!”

It was the voice of the man she’d left bound inside, known among the crew as Colt.

Corrine steeled herself, her eyes icing over with resolve. Tonight was destined for a showdown.

Colt, having freed himself, clutched his neck where a searing pain lingered. He scanned the container maze venomously. “Alert the boss, and round up everyone! She’s still here, armed and dangerous. Proceed with caution!” At his command, the—

The chase intensified. Corrine treaded softly, her eyes catching a glimpse of a blue container left slightly open. She quickly darted inside.

The moment she stepped in, a cold jolt ran through her. The container was crowded with pregnant women, their faces pale and strained, kneeling with their bound hands suspended above them.

She couldn’t bring herself to imagine why anyone would bind expectant mothers like this.

But her thoughts were cut short by the sound of boots hitting metal just outside. A voice shouted, “Look in there!”

With no place to hide, Corrine pressed herself into a shadowy corner near the entrance.

As flashlights breached the doorway, Corrine struck. Her knife moved fast and clean, slicing through the throats of the approaching men before they could make a sound.

𝓜𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝗱𝘁𝗵𝓮 𝗰𝗵𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼 @ gⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⩼.c𝗈𝗺

She then exited the container, her gaze sweeping over the numerous other containers likely harboring more victims of trafficking.

While her heart ached for these captives, Corrine knew heroics were a luxury she couldn’t afford in such a brutal reality. In this merciless world, ethical lines were blurred, and survival often meant the sacrifice of others. Despite her urge to rescue the women, Corrine understood that attempting an escape in such chaos could only endanger them further. Moreover, Corrine was at risk too. Even if she managed to rescue the pregnant women, she had no way to guarantee their safety afterward. With this realization, she decided against involving them in her perilous escape.

As she moved away, a beam of light suddenly spotlighted her, and she found herself encircled by a group of formidable men.

The ringleader stepped forward, a smirk crossing his features. “You’re the first woman to break free from my control!”

Colt joined him and leaned in, whispering something too low for her to hear.

Whatever it was, it shifted the man’s attitude. His sneer faded into a curious scowl, and he looked at Corrine with new interest. “With such finesse, why not challenge my men?”

At his signal, three of his men lunged toward Corrine, ready to engage.

The leader of the group knew better than to underestimate Corrine after hearing Colt’s warning and noticing the knife glinting in her hand.

Rather than recklessly unleashing his full force, he chose a more insidious tactic: a war of attrition. He began dispatching his men in waves, one after another, determined to grind down Corrine’s stamina inch by inch.

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