"Did you find them?" Davin asked as his two men returned to the tent. He had sent them to search for the workers who built the set. The moment the structure collapsed, those men had vanished — too quickly, too conveniently.
Ashmaria had already told him what she'd noticed during the shoot, and every detail made his suspicion stronger.
"We didn't find them, sir," one of the soldiers reported. "But we think they're hiding somewhere in the forest. It's getting dark. It won't be safe for us to stay out here."
Another added grimly, "We can't leave using the yacht. Looks like they sabotaged the engine. They must've planned to trap us here. They might attack once night falls."
"What are you saying? Criminals? Where did you even find those men?" one of Ashmaria's staff cried out, panic creeping into his voice.
"We already radioed headquarters," the lieutenant said quickly. "They're sending a helicopter for extraction."
"Good work, Lieutenant," Davin replied, then turned to his sister. Ashmaria sat on a cot nearby, pale and dazed. A bandage wrapped around her forehead, and there were scratches along her arm where the wooden debris had struck her.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
"I'm fine," she said, managing a faint smile. "Just a few scratches. How's she?" She nodded toward Eden, still unconscious on a nearby cot.
It had taken Davin a long time to stop the bleeding from her head wound. With no doctor on the island and their nurse tending to another injured staff member, Davin had been the only one with medical training to help her.
"She's stable for now," he said. "But we need to get her to a hospital soon—just in case there's internal bleeding."
He looked at his sister again, his expression tightening. "Were you finished with the photoshoot before all this happened?"
Ashmaria gave a weak, humorless laugh. "Does it even matter now?"
Outside, the wind began to pick up, and the light from the setting sun turned red across the torn remains of the set. The island was quiet—too quiet.
"We were able to cover some of the important shots," Ashmaria said quietly.
"Good. As soon as the chopper arrives, you're leaving this island," Davin replied firmly.
"What do you mean leaving? We're not finishing the photoshoot?" Nancy asked, stepping forward.
"Do you think I care about that right now?" Davin snapped, his voice sharp enough to make her flinch.
"Davin," Ashmaria said gently, touching his arm. She could see the strain in him — his white polo was streaked with blood from tending Eden's wound, his necktie hung loose and uneven, and fatigue shadowed his eyes.
Realizing how harsh he'd sounded, Davin exhaled heavily. "I'm sorry," he said, softening his tone. "But you have to leave. It's not safe here."
Ashmaria frowned. "You said we're leaving. Does that mean you're staying?"
"I have to," Davin replied. "I need to find those men — whoever planned this. Someone orchestrated the collapse." He turned to his soldiers. "You'll escort them back. Take my sister to the hospital and make sure no one gets close without proper clearance. Contact General Bryant and have him assign extra guards for her."
"General Bryant?" Ashmaria asked in alarm. "Why involve Dad in this? What's—"
"I'll explain later," Davin interrupted. Then, lowering his voice, he added, "Do me a favor. Watch over her until I return. I trust only you with this, Ash."
Before she could answer, Nancy spoke up, disbelief in her voice. "All this over a model? You're acting like she's some kind of VIP. Is she that famous or—"
Nancy stopped mid-sentence as Davin turned his cold stare on her. The air in the tent tightened.
Moments later, the deep whir of helicopter blades filled the air. The tent's canvas rippled from the downdraft as the chopper descended nearby. Davin's men stepped out to guide the landing. Two more soldiers disembarked and approached briskly.
"Lieutenant Philip Kim, reporting for duty, sir!" one of them saluted. His companion followed suit.
Davin returned the salute. The lieutenant handed him a bulletproof vest and a tactical kit for the upcoming operation.
The staff inside the tent fell silent, watching as Davin strapped on the vest. The faint glow of the sunset caught the determined lines of his face, and for a moment, every eye in the tent was on him — the commander preparing to walk into danger.
"Sgt. Cruz. Sgt. Mendez," Davin said, turning to his men. "I'm counting on you."
They saluted in response.
The men Davin referred to were the two soldiers assigned to escort Ashmaria and the others back to the city.
"We'd better move, Commander," said Lieutenant Phillip Kim. "I've already alerted headquarters. As per General Bryant's orders, the subject will be taken to the Navy hospital."
"That's good," Davin replied. "Ashmaria, go with them. And as I said earlier—don't let anyone near her. Full security protocols."
"I'm going too," Eden's handler interjected. "I'm her handler—"
"I'm sorry. That's not possible," Davin said flatly.
"Not possible? You're trusting a designer to watch over her instead of me?"
"I trust this designer with my life," Davin said, his voice firm. "And that's an order. Anyone who disobeys will answer directly to me. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir!" the soldiers responded in unison.
"Call Mom," Davin added to his sister. "She's the only one allowed to come near her."
Ashmaria nodded silently.
Davin carefully lifted the unconscious Eden in his arms and carried her toward the waiting helicopter. Two soldiers flanked him, scanning the perimeter for any threat. Once everyone was aboard, Davin ordered the pilot to head straight for Navy Headquarters. He also instructed the sergeants to ensure the injured staff were treated and safely returned home.
"Be careful," Ashmaria said quietly as he helped her onto the chopper.
"I will," Davin replied, squeezing her shoulder. He looked one last time at the sleeping Eden, then stepped back and watched as the helicopter lifted off.
They followed the aircraft with their eyes until it disappeared beyond the horizon.
"What's the plan, Commander?" Phillip asked, turning to him.
"First, we find them. Three men—" Davin stopped mid-sentence as a thunderous explosion ripped through the air.
The yacht they had arrived in erupted into flames, sending a shockwave that threw the three men to the ground. The blast echoed across the island, fire reflecting off the darkening waves.
"Why did they have to choose an isolated island for a photoshoot?" Phillip muttered, pushing himself up and brushing off the sand.
"There's nowhere else they could go," one of the soldiers replied grimly. "They're probably hiding in the jungle—and getting hungry." He pointed toward a trail of smoke rising from the trees.
"They're practically giving away their position," Phillip said with a short, humorless laugh.
"Then let's pay them a visit," Davin said, his voice low.
Weapons ready, they moved toward the direction of the smoke, slipping silently into the cover of the trees.