Chapter 755 It’s Just a Slap in the Face, No Big Deal

• “Hendrik, don’t you dare!” Saint Jerre lurched forward in a panic—then froze when he saw the unflinching resolve in Hendrik’s eyes. “I can let you go. Just don’t hurt Amanda!” “Who said I’m leaving?” Hendrik let out a cold laugh. “Didn’t you say I love to ‘claim the mountain as mine’? Then why not give you exactly what you wished for?” “Dream on!” Saint Jerre never imagined his ambition would be this wild. Not only was Hendrik holding Amanda right in front of him, he even wanted to steal the fleet Saint Jerre had spent years building with blood and sweat. “Now! Send the order. Turn the ships back!” Hendrik saw his hesitation and demanded with a dark face. Saint Jerre clenched his fists, rage flaring in his eyes— If he could stall just half a day more! As soon as they cleared the Caspian and entered Tellmoore waters, forget the little Xenakis clan. No one would be able to stop him. But the ships had taken damage in the earlier clash and had been stuck for repairs for days… “You really did your math. Amanda told you the entire plan, didn’t she?” Saint Jerre asked with contempt. Otherwise, how else would Hendrik have struck tonight—right on the nose? “If I say it was on a whim, would you buy it?” Hendrik met his stare, not treating him as a threat at all. If he didn’t act now, were they really going to haul him back to Tellmoore to be their live-in son-in-law? Over my dead body. “You think just because you’re holding Amanda, I’ll tiptoe around you and won’t make a move?” Saint Jerre snorted, trying to keep the standoff going and buy time. But when he saw Amanda’s breathing grow shallow under Hendrik’s grip, his resolve cracked. “Tell the helmsman—turn around!” “Big Brother! Don’t… trust him… He wouldn’t dare!” Amanda forced the words out, her eyes turning sharp and bitter again. She could tell Hendrik wasn’t actually after her life. He was a desperate man taking his last shot. Still, being betrayed and used like this pissed her off to no end. “Hendrik… didn’t you swear you wouldn’t lay a hand on a woman? So why… are you slapping your own face now…” She tilted her head just a little. But the moment her breath mingled with the man behind her—the man she’d dreamed of for so long—her eyes brimmed with tears. She had flattered him every way she could, nearly had a falling out with Saint Jerre because of him— And this was how it ended. What a joke. “It’s just a slap in the face. No big deal.” Hendrik lifted his chin, the corner of his mouth cold and fierce. If it meant seeing his wife and child again, who cared about his pride? “No big deal… heh…” Amanda laughed at herself. “You know damn well the two of you can’t break through this many men… and you still take the risk…” Clearly, that woman named Jovienne had him wrapped around her finger. “Whether we break out or not—that’s my call.” Hendrik didn’t even glance at her. His gaze stayed locked on Saint Jerre’s. Each was running his own numbers. Waiting to see who blinked first. “Do it. Now.” Moments later, Saint Jerre caved. He didn’t dare gamble with Amanda’s life. Without her, the world meant nothing to him. The order flew. The bows swung fast, turning toward Sparaville’s inner sea. “Now, can you let her go?” Saint Jerre asked again and again, anxiety eating him alive. Amanda was clearly worse than before. If he didn’t get her out of Hendrik’s grip, the longer this dragged on, the worse her pain would get. But the answer was still no. Meanwhile, Muson—who had come with Hendrik—started working the signal unit right in front of everyone. The mercenaries onboard were trained pros. The moment they sensed trouble, they had cut the signal unit off. Which meant, even if the Xenakis search party was top-tier, they’d be lost at sea. Hell, they might even get wiped out. “Boss, message sent.” Good thing Muson didn’t let him down—he figured it out in no time. Saint Jerre’s uneasy heart kicked into a wild gallop again. “So you’re calling in the cavalry to wipe us out in one go?” His certainty wavered. He even considered going all in… If they were doomed anyway, better to go head-to-head than wait to be cut down. At least then they’d have a shot.