The bodyguard whispered beside her, his tone filled with lingering fear. Xavier Crawford had countless ways of torturing people. They had to quickly return to Prince William’s side to avoid trouble. But Martha wasn’t listening. She was determined to wait here and see if Xavier could find that bitch! Heavy rain started in the evening, and now it was already midnight. Martha had heard that Xavier wasn’t in the manor, which gave her the boldness to go after Eleanor Hollis. This thought suddenly froze her body. Xavier had just left the manor when she got the news. She was being used as a tool, a blade to kill Eleanor. This plan was naturally orchestrated by Xavier’s brother, Cole Crawford. Martha suddenly shivered. In her eagerness to get rid of Eleanor, she hadn’t considered the intricacies behind it all. Cole wouldn’t dare make a move against Eleanor, simply because he understood Xavier’s temper. He knew that if Xavier went mad, few could stand in his way. So he leaked the information to her, making her a pawn. Chills ran down Martha’s back, while the bodyguard stood behind her, holding a sorrowful expression as he shielded her with an umbrella. Finlagoon was the most feared place for anyone going out to sea, just like its name suggested. It was infested with sharks, and anyone who accidentally fell in would end up as shark food. Xavier steered the boat there and saw nothing but the endless sea and terrifying waves. He turned on all the lights on the boat, repeatedly calling out on the deck, but the only response was the crashing waves. Xavier stood on the deck for a long time, his clothes drenched with rain and seawater. Had he known this would be the outcome, he would have taken Eleanor back to Hugo Quinn. He thought he could protect her, which was why he dared to take her away. But the truth proved that Hugo’s side was indeed the safest for her. Xavier felt utterly powerless, staring blankly at the vast waters. After searching until dawn, he still found nothing. The violent waters from last night had calmed now, and sharks began hunting for food in the ocean. Xavier’s eyes reddened as he instructed people to dredge the area, hoping even for a bit of remains. Back on shore, Martha was still waiting, shivering as she looked at him. He approached and slapped her hard. Martha’s head was whipped to the side, blood slowly seeping from the corner of her mouth. Yet she said nothing, feeling the pain was not in her face, but in her heart. His tone was emotionless as Xavier tightened his grip around her neck. Martha felt an immediate drop in oxygen around her. Looking into his bloodshot eyes, fear grew within her. She wanted to speak, but the clutch on her throat was too tight for words. "Master Xavier, Princess Martha is Prince William’s favorite daughter. Please release her, or you’ll be opposing the entire Royal Family." The Crawford Family held a dominant position, but still not above the royals. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝓷𝓮𝓽 There was no hesitation in Xavier’s eyes as he increased his strength. Martha’s face turned bright red, her mouth agape, large tears rolling down. She was terrified, feeling forlorn. For another woman, he was now willing for her death. Their childhood bond seemed worthless in his eyes. This man’s ruthlessness was truly unmatched. She gasped, feeling the brink of death. "Xavier, let her go." Cole suddenly appeared, holding a woman in his arms. Xavier’s pupils contracted, reflexively casting Martha aside and striding quickly to Cole. He dared not reach out and touch her, fearing she was just an illusion. Cole’s expression was indifferent. This was his first time holding a woman, feeling as if ants were crawling all over him. Xavier carefully took Eleanor into his arms. "Brother, how did you..." He thought his brother might have been involved in this. Without his approval, how could Martha have taken her from the manor? But now, Cole brought her here, indicating that he had also gone to save Eleanor last night? "I know this woman is important to you. If she died, you’d go mad. But Xavier, as you’ve seen, you can’t protect her. Had I not secretly followed Martha, Eleanor would’ve been shark food by now. You could call it your mistake, but it proves you can’t keep her safe, doesn’t it? I’ve heard Hugo has already let go of everything there and is on his way. You should return her to him." Xavier said nothing, holding Eleanor tightly, his heart overwhelmed with joy of finding her again. Moments ago, he thought she was gone, but now she was alive. He could clearly feel the warmth from her body. He got into a car and left, ignoring the others that remained behind. Martha remained on the ground, gasping, her face pale as she looked at Cole. This man was truly cunning. Earlier she believed Cole had intended her to kill Eleanor, but now she realized her mistake. Cole never had that intention. Cole knew Xavier wasn’t a fool; if she had really killed Eleanor, Xavier would have suspected him. The brothers’ relationship would deteriorate, ending with Xavier seeking revenge. But Cole brought Eleanor back alive. Xavier would undoubtedly dispel previous suspicions, realizing his brother wasn’t in league with her. Toward Cole, Xavier would feel gratitude, possibly guilt, but towards Martha, resentment and rejection remained. Cole’s move was ingenious. Martha stood up, touching her pale neck. "Crawford, you truly live up to being the head of the Crawford Family. Your strategy is brilliant. Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Xavier everything?" She straightened her neck, despite her disheveled state, maintaining a princess’s poise. Cole’s lips curled slightly, casting a cruel look at Martha. Martha retreated a step, her heart pounding constantly. "Do you think he’ll believe you? Martha, next, Xavier will certainly return Eleanor. Doesn’t that benefit you? We both achieve our goals." Martha didn’t reply, knowing Cole was right. All she wanted was Eleanor gone, while Cole sought to mend the brotherly bond, and these didn’t conflict. "Having a brother like you, Xavier faces quite the threat."