CHAPTER 147: CHAPTER 147: TO LIVE, OR TO CHOOSE STELLA GRANT?

Aiden Fordham’s gaze was like a torch, firmly locking onto the distant big ship.

"Go, prepare the boat." His voice was low, carrying an undeniable command.

Keegan Lindsey looked troubled, stepping closer.

"President Fordham, this Weston Bay Dock is Mr. West’s territory. Our people have inquired, I fear... they won’t let us leave easily."

Aiden Fordham’s eyebrows furrowed tightly, "Call Cillian West."

Keegan quickly pulled out his phone and directly dialed Cillian West’s number.

The call connected quickly, and Aiden Fordham took the phone.

"Mr. West, I need three boats, immediately, departing from Weston Bay Dock." Aiden Fordham was straightforward, his tone cold and hard.

On the other end, Cillian West suddenly erupted in a shrill laughter.

"President Fordham, you really have a good plan! First you cripple one of my hands, then you want me to do you a favor?"

He paused, sarcasm overflowing in his voice.

"You’d better think about how to walk out of this Mardale alive first!"

"Slam!"

The call was fiercely hung up on the other end.

Aiden Fordham’s chest burned with anger, and with a wave of his hand, the phone was smashed to the ground, the screen instantly shattering into pieces.

Keegan’s eye twitched violently, his heart pained as he gasped.

Oh my God, that was my phone! Huawei’s latest triple-fold model, super... expensive!

Aiden Fordham took a deep breath, pressing down the violence in his heart.

"Get a helicopter over here."

Keegan nodded quickly, about to take out his phone, but then remembered the one that had just been heroically sacrificed, and helplessly turned to the bodyguard beside him.

"Lend me your phone for a moment."

The bodyguard unlocked it and handed it over, just as an engine’s roar suddenly came from the sea.

A speedboat, like an arrow leaving the string, broke through the waves and stopped steadily not far away.

A bodyguard in black on the boat held a phone, respectfully handing it over.

The phone screen was lit, and on the call interface, the name Andy Lockwood was prominently displayed.

Andy Lockwood’s voice, carrying a hint of mockery, came from the receiver.

"President Fordham, seeing you still lively and kicking, I’m really happy for you."

Aiden Fordham clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white from the force, as he tried hard to suppress the rage ready to erupt.

"Andy Lockwood, what exactly are you up to? If you have the guts, come over here and let’s settle this openly! Using a woman as a shield, what kind of man are you?"

Andy Lockwood chuckled lightly, a laugh like poisoned feathers, gently scratching at Aiden Fordham’s nerves.

"President Fordham, don’t be so impatient. Tomorrow is an auspicious day, perfect for settling all our scores at once."

He suddenly changed his tone, his voice becoming suggestive.

"Today, it’s really not possible. Stella seems to be a bit seasick, her body is very delicate, and I have to take good care of her. You know, at night she’s especially afraid of the cold, clings on tightly, and insists on being held to sleep."

Every word was like a poisoned dagger, precisely stabbing at the softest part of Aiden Fordham’s heart.

A lethal blow to the heart! Plainly cruel!

Once, what Aiden Fordham gave him is now all returned.

Satisfaction!

Aiden Fordham’s face turned ashen with rage, veins bulging at his temples.

"Andy Lockwood! If you dare lay a finger on her, I promise I’ll tear you to pieces!"

"Heh," Andy Lockwood’s laugh grew colder, "Aiden Fordham, you’d better first think about whether you’ll make it past tomorrow. Oh, by the way, a little reminder, don’t even think about sneaking any helicopters or boats anywhere near my ship."

His voice suddenly turned sinister.

"I’m a timid person, and if my subordinates get nervous and accidentally hurt the old gentleman, that wouldn’t be good. By then, Stella might never forgive you."

After finishing, the call was once again mercilessly hung up.

Aiden Fordham’s chest heaved violently, and he once again hurled the phone in his hand to the ground.

The nearby bodyguard who had just lent the phone was thoroughly dumbfounded.

He looked at the remains of yet another sacrificed phone on the ground, then at the fiery Aiden Fordham, opened his mouth to say something, but forcibly held back.

This... should I ask President Fordham for reimbursement for the phone? Waiting online, it’s quite urgent.

Keegan saw this and shouted at the bodyguard still in shock.

"What are you standing there for! Get lost! Waiting for me to treat you to a midnight snack?"

The bodyguard, like receiving amnesty, shrank his neck, and took off faster than a rabbit.

Keegan inexplicably felt a bit balanced inside.

Alright, at least I’m not the only unfortunate one whose phone got smashed, hey!

Aiden Fordham, with fists tightly clenched, eyes sharp as a hawk’s, stared firmly at the massive ship on the distant sea.

He knew, that lunatic Andy Lockwood would do anything.

He couldn’t act impulsively, couldn’t risk the old gentleman’s life because of himself.

He slowly scanned the entire port, the towering cranes, the stacked containers, and the various cargo ships moored, forming a complex picture.

He walked over to Keegan, lowered his voice, and rapidly gave a few instructions.

Keegan nodded gravely, did not ask a single word more, immediately pointed out four people, and quietly departed.

Aiden Fordham looked again at that big ship, eyes swirling with towering hatred and determination.

Andy Lockwood, even if it means perishing together, I’m taking you to hell with me!

Inside the cabin, Stella Grant looked through the porthole, seeing that familiar and towering figure on the distant shore.

It’s him!

He really came!

At this moment, all her strength and facade nearly collapsed, only wanting to rush over and throw herself into his arms, against all odds.

Andy Lockwood didn’t know when he had walked over and spoke from behind.

"Stella, it’s lunchtime." His voice remained gentle, yet carried a force that brooked no refusal.

Stella Grant turned her head away, her voice cold: "I’m not hungry."

Andy Lockwood’s smile stayed unchanged, but his gaze turned cold.

"You won’t eat?" he said leisurely, "Fine, then your precious master will starve with you."

Stella Grant’s heart shook violently, she whipped her head around and glared at him fiercely.

"I want to call my master!"

Andy Lockwood shook his head, as if soothing an unruly child.

"Don’t worry, as long as you behave, I promise you’ll see him tomorrow."

Stella Grant took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, mustering all her courage to stare directly into Andy Lockwood’s bottomless eyes.

"Andy Lockwood, what do you want after all your scheming?"

Andy Lockwood’s gaze was focused and tender, as if the entire world could only see her.

He slowly spoke, his tone as soft as a lover’s whisper.

"From beginning to end, the only thing I want is you."

Stella Grant was struck as if by lightning, her whole body stiffened, not knowing what to say for a moment.

In the blink of an eye, night fell, wrapping the entire Mardale port in ink-like darkness.

Aiden Fordham’s men had long been quietly lurking in key positions, all available forces gathered here.

Late at night, the two tallest office buildings in the port area suddenly burst into flames without warning.

Flames soared into the sky, smoke billowed, painting half the night sky an ominous orange-red.

Mr. West, awakened from sleep, was furious upon hearing the news.

"Revolt! Revolt! That Aiden Fordham has guts enough to burn my dock!" he raged, "Someone! Go to the port immediately and bring him back to me! Dead or alive!"

Mr. West’s three most capable lieutenants, leading a large group of men, charged towards the port angrily.

Soon, dense and piercing gunfire sounded from the shore, interspersed with explosions, fire and gunpowder intertwining in the night.

On the big ship, Stella Grant stood on the deck, anxiously gazing at the chaos on the shore, her hands gripping the railing tightly, knuckles white.

Andy Lockwood stood beside her, eyebrows slightly furrowed, clearly aware of the situation spiraling out of control.

He took out his phone, attempting to contact Cillian West, only to find all communication signals were cut off.

This big ship, at that moment, had become a completely isolated island.

The fierce skirmish continued until the wee hours of the morning before gradually subsiding.

No one knew that this Mardale, chaotic for eighty years, forcibly split in half ten years ago, had quietly changed overnight.

Noon the next day, the sky was overcast and the sea wind howled.

Andy Lockwood led Stella Grant to a solitary cliff nearby.

This place was treacherous, overlooking everything around it.

One side of the cliff was a steep drop, below was the sea, waves crashing against the rocks, splashing five or six meters high.

The other side was dense, rugged wilderness, easy to defend and difficult to attack, effectively preventing any possible sneak attack.

The biting sea wind whipped Stella Grant’s long hair into a frenzy, blinding her.

Soon, Aiden Fordham’s figure appeared.

He was alone, escorted by two burly bodyguards in black, unafraid.

Stella Grant’s gaze instantly locked onto him.

He looked visibly haggard, stubble on his chin, deep eyes tinged with terrifying red veins, as if he hadn’t slept all night.

Aiden Fordham’s fatigue and anger seemed instantly replaced by worry upon seeing her, his voice hoarse and urgent.

"Stella!"

"Aiden Fordham!" Stella Grant called out to him tremulously, her eyes turning red instantly, uncontrollably wanting to run toward him.

Andy Lockwood was quick, grabbing her arm with force that hurt.

He leaned into her ear, his voice cold and full of warning.

"Don’t move."

"Or else," he deliberately paused, his tone full of malice, "his head might burst open in the next second. Around here, it’s all my men."

Stella Grant’s body stiffened, abruptly halting her steps, not daring to move rashly.

Aiden Fordham looked at her pale face, suppressing the pain in his heart, trying to muster a comforting smile.

"I’m fine, Stella, don’t worry, I’m alright."

Andy Lockwood watched their affectionate gaze exchange, a cruel smile curving his lips.

He slowly took out a small glass vial from his pocket, containing a purple-red liquid that reflected a strange red light under the gloomy sky.

Stella Grant’s pupils contracted suddenly.

This color... this bottle...

This is the antidote her master painstakingly brought!

Andy Lockwood gently shook the vial, the purple-red liquid swaying within.

Then he raised his voice, shouting at Aiden Fordham, each word filled with pride and control.

"Aiden Fordham, surprised, aren’t you? Your life is now in my hands."

He raised the vial, his smile growing more arrogant.

"Now, I can give you a choice."

"Tell me, do you want your own life back, or... Stella Grant?"

Aiden Fordham stared hard at Andy Lockwood, his bloodshot eyes burning with fury, seemingly wanting to incinerate the man before him.

The sea wind howled madly in his ears.

Between heaven and earth, there was a sudden dead silence.