Chapter 56: Chapter 56

“Where are we now?” asked Scarlett. Jaguar turned to her to keep her silent, knowing that someone else would hear them.

“Shh… Do you see that?” he's pointing to the darkness area. Scarlett frowned and narrowed her eyes to see what Jaguar was on about.

“Oh, what’s the matter with—” she paused when Jaguar spoke.

“That’s where Erin it detained.”

Scarlett’s eyes widened as she looked at Jaguar, who smirked.

“His cell is guarded, and Ander, one of the mastermind’s confidants, is still there.”

Scarlett raised her brows when she heard the name again. “Ander? Hmm, sounds familiar, but let's hurry! Or maybe something is wrong with Erin!” she exclaimed. Jaguar nodded, and they came to a halt to one side.

“Stay here. I’ll deal with the guards first,” Jaguar stated. Scarlett blinked and fixed her gaze on the young man.

“Huh?”

Scarlett’s grip on Jaguar’s hand tightened, causing him to shake his head.

“Don’t worry, you won’t be seen here; you’re a Knight. This is simple.” Jaguar smirked and let go of Scarlett before approaching the two guards.

Scarlett sighed and looked at her watch. “I haven’t been back to the suite in thirty minutes, and I’m certain... They’re looking for me, TSK,” she mumbled as she awaited Jaguar's signal.

When she heard footsteps, she hide.

“Good evening, M-Master!”

“I'll pay Erin Knight a visit.”

“But…”

She frowned as she looked at the dark area where Jaguar had passed when he left, as if someone had collapsed.

“What happened, Master J?”

“I just saw him unconscious; take him to the Clinic first.”

Scarlett grinned because of the Jaguar’s excellent performance.

“Yes…”

“Wait… Where’s the key? I’d like to speak with Erin Knight.”

“All right, master. Be cautious of him; there is a Knight inside, and he can easily escape.”

Scarlett clenched her fist in response to what she had heard. She wanted to rush at that person, but she restrained herself because it would jeopardize her and Jaguar’s plan.

“TSK, easy.”

She turned to face Jaguar, who was approaching her.

“I’ll allow you five minutes to get Erin Knight out of the cell before the guards return; I’ll just monitor here,” said Jaguar as he tossed the key to her, which she grabbed it.

“Why are you doing this? We’re enemies,” she asked Jaguar, who was leaning against the wall.

Jaguar came to a halt and looked at her. “We only have one goal, Knight: to bring down the mastermind. I told you, you need my help.”

She sighed as she continued to stare at him.

“Yeah,”

Scarlett took a deep breath as she clutched the key.

“It’ll only take 5 minutes, Venice.”

She nodded to Jaguar and proceeded to Erin's cell, but she paused and looked at Jaguar.

“Jaguar… Thank you,” she said with a smile, continuing to walk before everyone caught up.

Jaguar’s lips twitched in surprise. He bowed with a smile.

“It’s not me you should thanks, but him; I just follow his orders,” he said as he picked up his phone and looked at who was calling, his eyes widening as if excited.

“Damn, he’s here!” he grumbled before putting his phone into his pocket and waiting for Scarlett.

Scarlett looked around and recognized the place because it was the same one she saw in Rios’ blueprint.

She came to a halt because the one in front of her was a dead end, so she looked to her left side, where she was standing. Then, with her heart pounding with worries, she gripped the key and took several deep breaths before opening the door.

“Who is it?!? Are you Ander?!? TSK. I won’t talk to you until you admit it!”

Scarlett came to a halt and looked at the man lying on the small bed, his arm over his face.

“B-Brother…”

When he heard her voice, he came to a halt and stood up.

“Scarlett?!”

When Scarlett saw Erin’s condition, she covered her mouth.

“Brother E-Erin…”

Erin stood up, wondering if he was hearing Scarlett.

“It's me, Brother Erin…”

When Erin finally saw Scarlett, his eyes widened.

“What are you doing here? Get out! You’ll die here!” Erin exclaimed in surprise. Scarlett cried as she observed Erin’s condition.

“W-what did they do to you, Brother? Are you still eating?” asked Scarlett as she hurried towards Erin.

“Scarlett, get out of here; If they catch you, your plans are over,” Erin whispered, but Scarlett ignored him because she knelt in front of him and touched his cheek.

“This is my fault; if only I had listened to you, none of this would have happened!” said Scarlett. She felt guilty when she saw Erin’s condition, which was really her fault because she insisted on carrying out their mission.

“Scarlett…”

“You shouldn’t be imprisoned here! I’m a fool! I’m too stupid to decide!”

Erin grabbed her shoulder and made her listen.

“Listen, this is not the time to blame yourself; I intend to catch,” said Erin as he wiped Scarlett's tears.

Scarlett came to a halt and looked at Erin. “W-what do you mean? I’ll get you out of here; come on, Brother! Claire and Rios are at the hotel, worried about you!”

Scarlett stood up and drew Erin, who didn't move, so she looked at Erin in annoyance.

“We’re running out of time! We only have five minutes!” she pulled Erin again, but Erin stayed silent. “Brother!” she yelled because Erin was still disobedient.

“Scarlett…” Scarlett came to a halt and looked at Erin, who was already smiling. “I planned it, he knows about it,” said Erin. Scarlett's eyes widened as she let go of Erin.

Rios, she remembered, seemed calm when he heard what had happened to Erin.

“Did Rios know they would imprison you?”

Erin nodded and was about to take Scarlett’s hand as Scarlett took a few steps back.

“I’ll risk everything to save you, and then you’ll tell me you planned it?”

Erin let out a sigh and leaned against the wall. “I don’t want you to take that risk, which is why I talked to Rios before our mission to enter their lair took place,” he sighed. “I told him that my plan was to be imprisoned, so I could learn about their next move.”

*** FLASHBACK

“Rios…”

“You will not agree to Scarlett’s plan? You can’t stop her; she’s determined to do everything for our family.”

Erin looked at his brother and shook his head. “I’ll accompany Scarlett tonight, but I have a plan.”

Rios looked at his older brother, waiting for him to say something.

“I intend to catch up tonight and get Scarlett away unharmed.”

His brother took aback, him and grabbed him by the collar.

“What? Are you insane?” asked Rios as he was pushing Erin away. “No, I don’t want your method!”

Erin hit him, and he scratched his head.

“Listen to me, okay? I know you know something about everything, but that’s just payment for keeping the secrets!”

Rios grinned and shook his head, since he couldn’t stop his brother. “Yeah, just do whatever you want, my older brother,” Rios smirked as he returned to the monitor.

Erin became irritated and was about to punch his brother, but it avoided him.

“I know, okay? So, you know their next plans because of the mastermind,” he pushed Erin away from the computer. “He also has a lot of staff that can move around him, and he has an only child whose personality is a mystery because I’ve never been able to gather information about him,” said Rios as he handed the older brother an earpiece.

“Be careful. I hope that we will not lose our connection. Take care of her, she can’t remember,” he added as he patted Erin on the shoulder before returning to his work.

Erin looked at his brother and shook his head. He would not believe it was smarter than him. He knew every move. This is, in fact, a knight.

“I’ll do it not only for our family, but also for Scarlett.”

“Good luck, bro.”

*** END OF FLASHBACK

“Rios knows everything; he knows you’ll do it, and he knows why you’ll do it,” said Scarlett. Erin shook his head and laughed.

“He’s smart, that dumbass,” said Erin, shaking his head and looking at Scarlett, who was sitting on the floor.

“Is everything I’m doing right? Is it for our family or for myself?” Scarlett covered her face, unsure what to do. “I-I did nothing right; I thought that if I went with Dominic, my life would be peaceful, and I’d be able to do everything I wanted, but it’s only going to get worse.”

She bit her lower lip as she asked Erin, “Where did I go wrong?” with tears in her eyes.

Erin’s face softened when he noticed Scarlett was tired of everything, so he sighed and approached his youngest cousin.

“You’re not alone, Scarlett, because you have us. You don’t have to do this alone,” he said, and tapping her on the shoulder. Scarlett bit her lower lip as she hugged Erin.

“Brother!” she cried, and Erin smiled and stroked Scarlett's hair.

When they heard footsteps, they came to a halt and looked at each other while Erin helped Scarlett stand up.

“Scarlett, get out of here. They’re coming, and I don’t want you to get hurt,” Erin whispered. She shook her head because she couldn’t leave him.

“Brother…”

Erin sighed and held her hand. “The time given to you was only 5 minutes, right? Thanks to whoever helped you, but you have to leave first,” he said, and touching Scarlett’s cheek. “I can handle myself; I have a mission to complete.” he was pushing Scarlett out of the cell, who had been worried about him.

“Tell Rios that there’s no signal here, so he can’t contact me; go! Get out!”

Erin motioned for her to leave, but she clenched her fists and dragged Erin out of the cell.

“You’re coming with me now, so we can both get out of here!” she said, and Erin was about to respond when he noticed Scarlett was determined.

He sighed and smiled.

“I can’t stop you, eh?” Erin smiled as he walked out of the cell first. “Just follow me and hold on to my hand.”

Erin smiled, and Scarlett turned to him in surprise. “Yeah, let’s go. Everyone is waiting for you,” said Scarlett, taking Erin’s hand and walking away together.

They heard plenty of footsteps, so they hidden.

“What happened to Jaguar? Is he talking to Erin Knight?!?”

Because of the voice, Erin and Scarlett exchanged glances.

“Solen… So, she’s still alive,” Scarlett whispered. Erin grinned and laughed.

“Of course she’s crazy. She’s still alive and kicking.”

They both laughed, and Erin drew her into the hallway.

“Stay here,” Erin whispered as they awaited Solen Madrid and her staff.

“What the hell happened to Erin Knight? Where is he?”

“Huh?”

“Fools! Erin Knight has escaped! Go find him!”

“M-Madam… Wasn't it Master Jaguar who caused Erin Knight to escape?”

When Solen Madrid slapped his staff, so Scarlett and Erin gasped.

“She lost her patience,” Scarlett mumbled, smiling. Erin turned to face her, but his gaze returned to Solen Madrid.

“Stupid! Jaguar wouldn’t do that! He doesn’t know the Knights! Look for Erin Knight! We’ll be done with the master—Ugh! F-ck! Come on! Look for Jaguar as well—f-ck!”

Scarlett and Erin exchanged glances as they noticed Solen Madrid clinging to the wall, her legs frozen as if paralyzed. They also observed her taking medicine from her pocket and immediately taking it, then standing up as if nothing had happened.

Erin asked in surprise, “Okay, what happened to her?” but he could hear Scarlett laughing.

Scarlett grinned as she thought back to the syringe that Carter had used to hit Solen. “The syringe that hit her had a big effect. Hmm…” she replied with a chuckle, “The syringe that hit her the night of her event was to paralyze her legs so that she would never be able to walk again.”

Erin frowned, but Scarlett also impressed him.

“It has a tremendous impact on your whole body because it makes every part numb, but I don’t think she can still walk,”

“So, she’s crippled? And the medicine she took was to cure the poison? So, she can still walk?”

Scarlett nodded as he nodded, expressing that he understood everything.

Solen disappeared from Manila like a bubble because she was already paralyzed and was just getting treatment, so no one notices she can never walk again.

“Let’s go.”

Scarlett nodded, and they walked from their hiding spot. They left the quarters once again.

“Erin Knight!”

Erin’s eyes widened at what he heard, and he rushed to protect Scarlett.

“F-ck! Scarlett, you go out first! I’ll just follow you! I’ll entertain them first!” Erin exclaimed.

Scarlett shook her head.

“I’m not leaving you here!”

“F-ck! Don’t be stubborn! I promise I’ll follow you!”

“Brother—”

“Go! Go! I’ll follow!”

Erin pushed her away, leaving her with no choice but to follow her Big Brother.

“Are you sure you’re going to follow? I’ll wait—!”

When someone spoke behind them, they were taken aback. Erin grabbed Scarlett’s hand tightly and pulled her behind him for protection.

“Are you planning on fleeing? Oh, that’s right, the princess of the Knights is with you,” Solen smirked as she saw Erin protecting Scarlett. “Oh, you protect her? You’re here because of her.”

Erin clenched his fist and focused his attention on Solen.

“Shut up! I won’t let you touch her!” Erin yelled as he turned to face Scarlett. “Go, Scarlett, just promise me you will not die.”

Scarlett was startled and looked at Erin, but she was even more surprised when Erin smiled at her. They came to a halt when they heard Solen laugh.

“Come on, Scarlett, are you going to destroy everyone around you? Your employee died to protect you, and your cousin will also die to protect you.” Solen grinned and crossed her arms. “What’s up with you? Why are they all willing to risk their lives just to protect you—”

Erin cut her off.

“Shut the f-ck up, Solen,” he said, turning to face Scarlett. “Don’t listen to her!” he shouted, but he noticed Scarlett was just dumbfounded, her eyes blank.

“Scarlett, don’t listen to her!” Erin yelled, but Scarlett remained silent. “F-ck! Scarlett Venice!” Erin yelled again, causing Scarlett to blink and look at him.

Erin sighed and smiled. “You’ll only listen to me, Scarlett, okay?” said Erin, but Scarlett didn’t respond because of her expression.

“Damn! Solen!” Erin shouted, turning to face Solen, who was grinning at them. “Do you know why I’m here? Not for her; this is my plan,” he stated. It surprised her by what he said.

“W-what?”

Erin grinned.

“I can get out of here. I can blow this place up if I'd like to. But I didn’t. Do you know why?” he turned to Scarlett, who was still silent, and then back to Solen. “Because I want to know everything you do, especially Ferdinand, and I’m not causing trouble here in your territory because I have a plan,” he said. “It’s funny, you can still stand even after being crippled?”

Erin’s words made Solen's eyes widen.

“Y-you…! Take him!” she yelled at her men, who immediately obeyed.

Erin grinned as he approached Scarlett, who was still stunned.

“Get out of here. I promise I’ll follow you,” he said to Scarlett, who blinked again and just stared at him.

Erin cursed because Scarlett still didn’t respond, so he dragged Scarlett away from the situation.

“Capture Erin Knight! Return him to his cell! Find Jaguar as well.” was the last scream Erin heard as they ran.

Erin cursed as they ran because Solen’s men were pursuing them. Scarlett’s condition isn’t good, so he needs to get the girl away before everyone else does.

***

While the mastermind looks at the monitor where Erin and Scarlett are running. He is even more amused by what is going on.

“Do you see your amazing grandchildren, chairman?”

(“All you want is to kill me, not my grandchildren, especially Scarlett.”)

Ferdinand laughed and tapped on the seat.

“No, she had to die because she was the reason Josephine died.”

(“It’s not her fault! Josephine protected her! Josephine sacrificed herself for our granddaughter!”)

“Shut up, Verno! Shut up! Josephine left me because of you! She’s mine, Verno! She’s mine!”

(“F-ck! We’re not young, Fernando! Stop all this! Don’t take advantage of others! Face me!”)

Ferdinand clenched his fist and grinned.

“It’s too late, Verno; I will win our battle, bring justice to Josephine’s death, and make Scarlett pay for all your sins!”

(“Enough. I know Josephine isn’t the only reason for all of this! I can’t believe you’d risk your life in the pit!”)

Ferdinand came to a halt and threw the items in front of him.

“Shut up! Just sit there and watch your beloved granddaughter die!”

(“Fernando—!”)

He hung up the phone and threw it away.

“I will win the battle, Verno! I will kill your beloved granddaughter!” he yelled as he called his staff. “Take the chairperson Knight, even Scarlett Knights’ kids!”

***

On the other side, they just run. Erin knows the area well and is aware that someone is watching them every time they run, and he knows who it is.

“Hold on, Scarlett. I’m about to get you out of here,” he whispered, tightening his grip on Scarlett’s hand.

“Erin Knight!”

He didn’t look at the people chasing them.

“F-ck! When will Soledad stop?” he mumbled, and they just kept running.

“B-Brother, you’re coming with me, aren’t you? You’re not leaving me, right?”

Erin smiled at his cousin. And Someone pulled him to a dark part of the quarters while they were running.

“A-Ander?”

“No more questions, please.”

Erin smirked at Ander before pushing Scarlett away. Ander frowned as he supported Scarlett.

“What are you doing, Erin?” he asked.

Erin grinned. “Protect her. I’ll look after them,” he said, looking at Scarlett before turning away from them.

“Damn you, Erin! You can’t die!”

Erin smiled and waved at them. Until they heard voices and footsteps.

“Damn you, Erin Knight! Where are you going? You’ve got nowhere to go!”

Erin turned again as he winked at Ander. “Leave!” he yelled. Scarlett’s eyes widened and blinked as she noticed Erin far away.

“B-Brother?”

Erin never looked at them again.

“No, Brother Erin! Please let me go!”

“Let's go! I need to get you out of here! Many people are looking for you!”

“Let me go! No! Erin!”

Scarlett’s eyes widened when her brother Erin appeared from where they were hiding and greeted by electricity where Erin was already lying on the ground, and she could clearly see Solen's grin.

“N-no…”

They hit Erin until he vomited blood, but Scarlett just covered her mouth and shook her head, crying.

As Solen Madrid’s staff drew him away from them, Erin smiled at her.

“NO, ERIN!!!”