Sherry finally located Fyren's hideout.
She never expected Fyren would be bold enough to remain in that hotel the entire time.
Sherry secured a hook to the rooftop and slid down on a rope.
She was a top-tier assassin!
This sort of technique was second nature to her - foolproof.
With Hakan's sudden emergence as a Southlandia tycoon, Fyren's significance had diminished drastically.
In fact, Fyren's death would precipitate the Zhang family's rapid decline.
She could swiftly take control of the Leng family, then immediately turn against the Zhangs once the situation stabilized.
Hence, Otto issued the assassination order.
Sherry actually disagreed with this decision.
She'd witnessed young lord and Fyren kowtowing to each other, swearing brotherhood.
Regardless, Fyren remained young lord's junior sworn brother. Was killing a sworn brother truly necessary?
But young lord insisted it was for Crystalpeak City's people, for all Northlandia, even for the entire mainland. That he must painfully sacrifice his brother, offering apologies in the afterlife.
Young lord's compassion moved Sherry!
She knew she knew nothing.
Understood she understood nothing.
Realized her ignorance.
But that didn't matter. What young lord knew, she knew by extension.
Following young lord's guidance would surely prove correct!
Young lord truly was a hero bearing all suffering for the people!
Thus, she resolved to kill Fyren!
She knew the room's location. A silent window entry, and not eight Fyrens could match her!
She could eliminate him without a sound!
Sherry fastened the rope and descended, landing before the window just as Fyren chatted with Zoey.
Zoey? That police officer?
A good person - not to be killed.
Hmph! Even with Officer Zoey present, I'll still kill you.
Sherry slid down further, preparing to infiltrate through the window when -
Fyren strode to the window and slammed it shut.
Outside, searing pain shot through Sherry's fingers!
She plummeted down the hotel's glass exterior.
Fyren approached the wine cabinet: "Care for a drink, Officer Zoey?"
Zoey's expression remained stern: "I don't drink. Let's discuss the case. I sense you're withholding information..."
They remained oblivious to Sherry's expertise.
Dangling mid-air at rope's end, Sherry examined her bleeding fingers, hatred welling up.
The bastard who stole my first kiss! He set a trap!
The pain! My hand!
Sherry inhaled deeply, bandaged her fingers with gauze, and painstakingly climbed back up.
Finally, she reached Fyren's floor again.
This time, I'll claim your life!
Zoey complained: "Why close the window?"
"For romance!"
"Open it!"
"Fine, I'll open it."
Sherry was right beside them. Fyren suddenly flung the window open, and the abrupt air current sent the window swinging outward - smashing directly into Sherry's face. Sherry bit back a scream as she tumbled down again.
Fyren returned to the sitting area and poured himself a drink. "Better now?"
Zoey narrowed her eyes. "Did you send people to rescue her...or kill her?"
"Ha ha!" Fyren chuckled. "We'll know soon enough. Sure you won't have a drink?"
Sherry seethed with rage!
That cunning Fyren!
Her nose throbbed - broken. Wiping away blood revealed her reddened, swollen bridge.
Gritting her teeth, she resumed climbing.
I won't give up. I won't let you win, Fyren!
Back up she went.
Different window! That one's cursed!
As she prepared to enter through the adjacent window...
Fyren chose that moment to pop open a champagne bottle by the window!
POP!
The cork rocketed out - straight at Sherry's face!
Mistaking it for a projectile, Sherry jerked sideways. But her injured left hand failed her, sending her body swinging outward - BANG!
The building's exterior featured protruding ornamental gargoyles. Her momentum carried her directly onto one of the stone beast's horns.
CRACK!
"Agh!"
White-hot pain lanced through her as ribs snapped audibly.
Dangling precariously, agony bloomed across her torso. Sweat beaded on her forehead.
She clung to the rope with desperate strength, hatred burning through clenched teeth.
Fyren! You treacherous bastard!
Every exertion sent broken bone ends grinding against organs. Through sheer willpower, Sherry hauled herself up once more.
This time I'll charge in and kill him no matter what!
I'll END him!
With her last reserves of strength, Sherry unsheathed her single-edged sword and vaulted through the window - "FYREN! YOU...AGH!"
Earlier, Fyren had carelessly left an empty wine bottle on the carpet. The billowing curtain had knocked it over unnoticed.
Blinded by pain, Sherry failed to see the hazard. Her landing foot hit the bottle - it rolled - her legs shot out from under her. As she fell, her own sword sliced across her chest.
But her worst injury remained those broken ribs!
The climbing had already been torture. Now this fall drove bone shards deeper into viscera. Blood gushed from her mouth.
The world tunneled into blackness as unconsciousness claimed her.
Fyren was seeing Zoey out. "Take care, Officer Zoey! Do be careful!"
Returning to the living room, he froze. "Good heavens! What's this? A person?"
He tentatively nudged the figure with his foot, then gaped at the beautiful woman sprawled on his floor. "Sherry?!"
Fyren's scalp prickled.
My location's compromised!
But why is Sherry lying critically injured in my living room?!
A few minutes later, Sherry slowly opened her eyes. As consciousness returned, intense pain flooded her body. She couldn't move at all - only her eyes could dart around the room.
It was still that suite. Damn it! She'd been captured alive by Fyren! What humiliation! Utter disgrace! After fighting alongside young lord for years, she'd been so thoroughly ambushed by Fyren - a mere entry-level Ancient martial artist at body tempering stage - and taken prisoner! How could she ever face young lord again?
Wait...her acupoints weren't sealed? Her limbs weren't bound either?
What was happening?
She raised a hand and discovered both her hand wound and lower abdomen cut had been properly bandaged.
Just then, she heard Fyren's phone conversation in the suite:
"Are you idiots? Where would I go? Enough with that nonsense! Hakan? What the hell! If he dares ruin our family business, I'll ruin him! We'll see this through to the end! I won't let Eliza wake up to find the Leng family stolen! That's final!"
It was him! What was he plotting?
Sherry tried rising to complete her mission, but the slightest movement sent stabbing pain through her body.
The phone rang again. Fyren answered irritably: "What now? I know! Of course I know! So what if she's Otto's subordinate? She just collapsed in my living room! Was I supposed to do nothing?"
"Don't worry, she's decent! Let me tell you - she's practically the most innocent, kind-hearted, simple girl I've met. Yes, a bit foolish. Didn't I make that clear?"
"She's badly hurt. No idea how, but mark my words - there are dangerous people about. Don't judge by appearances. She's a master among masters! Whoever injured her like this must be extraordinary!"
"Sister, forget whether she's Otto's for now! She's nothing like Otto! If Otto dropped dead before me, I wouldn't blink. But she's good! Truly suffered. Trust me!"
"Put it this way - if she'd come to kill me, I'd be dead already. All she needed was to jump through that window and give me one casual stab. I'd be in the afterlife right now."
"Lust after her? Yes, I'm a pervert! But not now. Besides, she's utterly devoted to Otto. Bound to warm his bed eventually. Even with a knife to her throat, she wouldn't glance my way!"
"Oh oh oh, alright, fine, take your time. I'll see if I can learn it. Mm-hmm, got it."
Fyren hung up.
Sherry quickly shut her eyes, feigning unconsciousness, though her fingers had already stealthily grasped her dagger.
"Fyren, I'll launch a surprise attack in a moment. You won't be so lucky this time!"
Fyren stepped inside and gazed at Sherry, still unconscious. A sigh escaped his lips.
"Girl, you could've followed anyone... but you chose Otto. Tch."
He pulled out a medical kit, hesitating before lifting the blanket. "I sent your scans to Xena. Your ribs are definitely broken—the fight drove them into your organs. If we don't reposition you now..." His voice trailed off as he carefully snipped at her bloodstained clothes with surgical scissors.
Poor kid. Played for a fool. The thought coiled in his mind like smoke. Should've been brilliant, but Otto sealed part of her consciousness. Turned her into this.
His grip tightened on the scissors. Otto... you fucking trash protagonist. Bullying a girl with cheap tricks.
Every vile thing my mother did—your work. Brainwashed her into dying for you. Locked Sherry's mind away, left her hollow. And now you call stealing her body 'unsealing'?
'I owe her so much'? Bullshit. You're collecting her life as payment!
A bitter chuckle rose in his throat. And the cruelest joke? She'll thank you for it. Let you use her as a—
Cold steel kissed his jugular.
Sherry's arm trembled against his neck, the dagger's edge biting skin. Sweat-slick and fire-eyed, she glared up at him. Fyren froze.
Game over.
Too soft. Walked right into this.
Should've known—Otto's brainwashed attack dog wouldn't hesitate.
Damn my conscience. Who saves someone just to get stabbed?
She'll kill me without blinking. Won't even understand why.
Tears cut tracks through the grime on Sherry's face. "My sealed divine consciousness—how do you know about it?"
"I—"
The blade pressed deeper. "Talk. Or you die here."