Everything around was pitch black, as if the moment the sky fell, the whole world was darkness. Ava Sterling suddenly stopped her footsteps and looked around. The cruise ship had already sailed some distance, out on the sea. And on the sea, there is no light; except for the cruise ship, everything around is terrifyingly dark. Now, all the lights on the cruise ship are out, enveloping everyone in darkness, causing fear from the heart to the body. Ava Sterling’s heart subconsciously tightened as well. Darkness always makes people fear instinctively, especially endless darkness. Though she is brave, the place she finds herself in made her instantly think of those dreadful air and sea accidents. Ava Sterling couldn’t help swallowing down her throat. However, before she could react, the surrounding people were already in chaos, screams arose, and there was the sound of things falling with a clatter, very noisy. Ava Sterling frowned and looked again ahead, at where the smoking figure had been, and at this moment, she saw the faint flicker of a cigarette. He was smoking on the deck, his single hand in his pocket while looking over here, with a posture so cool it was beyond compare! Ava Sterling quickly headed towards that flickering light, ignoring the surrounding chaos. Jace Kingsley followed Ava, naturally going wherever she went. However, as Ava’s steps stopped, he felt the commotion behind him. He immediately turned around and saw Joyner rushing towards Ava. His eyes narrowed slightly, a sense of danger emanating from him. But before he could do anything, the surroundings instantly plunged into darkness, his slightly lifted hand halted, and then quickly looked at Ava’s location ahead. But in such darkness, he couldn’t see anything and could only step forward quickly, calling out, "Ava?" No one responded to him; instead, various sounds converged around, and people were in turmoil. He was shoved to one side, and in this darkness, directions—north, south, east, west—became indistinguishable. Frowning deeply, he quickly pulled out his phone to illuminate, but the phone’s light couldn’t reach far; he couldn’t see Ava. Jace Kingsley pressed his lips tightly and swiftly took the phone down to call Ava. Ava’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, and then she gradually began to see a faint light. It wasn’t the phones of guests taken for illumination nor the lights emerging from the safety corridors, but the stars and moon in the night sky revealing a ribbon of the Milky Way. The sea was no longer a dark void but tinted with a layer of dim light. Ava’s footsteps became faster and more steady. She wanted to reach that man’s side and ask him what he meant. Also, he had been watching her just now; it wasn’t the gaze of someone with a jealous suspicion, but so deep, it made her afraid to probe. Walking out the door, heading to the corridor outside. Check latest chapters at NoveI(F)ire.net But suddenly, a cold, hard arm grabbed Ava’s waist, and with a bang, the door slammed shut. The man moved extremely fast; his speed was such that Ava had no time to react before being pinned against the door. But he didn’t stop, recklessly pressing her against the door panel. Ava’s expression instantly turned cold, and she raised her hand and bent her knee, quick and ruthless. The man didn’t foresee it and instinctively bent over, pain emitting from his throat. Ava didn’t stop, directly kicking him as he was about to react—or rather not expecting Ava to be so fierce, his interest piquing further as he accurately grabbed Ava’s hand, attempting to pull her into his arms. If this move was against other women, it would have succeeded, but this woman wasn’t anyone else; she was Ava Sterling. How could she let him succeed? She moved swiftly, her hands and feet in action, and soon a bang was heard, the man fell to the ground. By now, Ava no longer wanted to meet that man; she wanted to deal with this vile person. Daring to target her, and not only that, actually laying a hand on her. She wouldn’t let it go just like that! Ava immediately went over, ready to punch and kick the man, making him pay a painful price. But at this moment, with a snap, the lights turned on.