Silly Bride

Chapter 252

good life. Tell her to perform more good deeds in the future and make up for all the sins I’ve committed.”Winnie never imagined Riley would think of ending his life. After all, he had persisted for years in Harold’s captivity, yet now, he was simply throwing his life away.“No, Professor White!” Winnie stared straight into his eyes and declared, “You can’t die now! You need to go outside and watch how Harold and his factory burn to ashes! How can we die before those vile people?”Her words struck a chord within Riley. She’s right! How can I die before that devil Harold meets his end?He suddenly found the will to live again. Still, he muttered hesitantly, “The whole tunnel is about to collapse. If you don’t leave now, we could all be buried alive! I don’t want to ruin your chances of survival!”“That’s not for you to worry over! You just need the will to live!” Winnie continued pulling at the slab as she added, “We’ll focus on saving you. Don’t concern yourself about our well-being. There are some aftershocks now; make sure you cover your head!”It took four people to finally free Riley’s leg from under the cement slab.While his leg was broken, he was at least alive and breathing.Mason quickly carried Riley on his back. The group pushed on as fast as they could and arrived at the sewage entrance about ten minutes later.Mason’s fellow mercenaries were already waiting for them outside.They knew their teammates like the back of their hands, and they instantly identified a stranger in their midst.One of the mercenaries raised his gun and pointed it right at the stranger’s head.His action gave everyone a huge shock.Winnie instinctively stepped in front of Riley to protect him. Frowning, she demanded, “What’s going on?”The mercenary replied, “He’s a new face. Who is he, and why is he here?”A new face? Is he one of Harold’s men?Winnie narrowed her gaze thoughtfully and was about to say something when Riley stepped forward.He explained, “That man does not work for Harold. He’s my assistant and was captured like me. When you arrived with your men to rescue me, I begged them to save my assistant.”“Professor White is right. I really don’t work for Harold!” The stranger raised his hands and pleaded, “Please save me from this place! I promise I won’t bother any of you again once I’m out of here.”Riley stared at Winnie earnestly and vowed, “I can vouch for him. I hope you trust me.”Time was running out, and Winnie did not have time to hesitate. “Fine. Let’s go. We can’t hang around here any longer.”“Over here!” Mason led them ahead. They had walked over ten meters when a pair of headlights blinded them.Riley raised his hand to cover his eyes. Then, he looked at Winnie anxiously and asked, “Did Harold’s men come after us?”The headlights were so piercingly bright that Winnie could not make out the vehicle. Thankfully, Mason yelled out reassuringly, “Don’t worry! He’s with us! Let’s go. We’ll be out of this place soon!”They strode ahead as the car drove closer to them.The car pulled to a stop, and Xavier alighted from the driver’s seat.The only person he could see at that moment was his beloved Dumbo.He reached Winnie in a couple of strides and pulled her into a tight hug. At the same time, he bent over and repeatedly muttered, “You’re safe! Thank God you’re safe.”Winnie returned his hug, relishing the familiar comfort of his embrace. “I’m fine. Look! We saved Professor White! We can cure your disease now, Xavier.”Xavier could sense the joy in her tone, yet he could not bring himself to share her excitement.Instead, he merely tightened his arms around her and croaked through the lump in his throat, “Thank you. It must have been grueling in there.”Winnie chuckled and replied, “Well, we’re out now, so it wasn’t that bad. You should let go of me. We’re technically still on the run.”“All right.” Xavier reluctantly released the woman in his arms before turning his attention to Riley, who stood behind Winnie. He pursed his lips before asking, “Professor White. Remember me?”Riley appraised the tall man before him and quickly recognized Xavier. He exclaimed, “Are you Xavier? Xavier Fairchild?”Nodding, Xavier replied, “Yes, that’s me. Get in the car, then.” Even if Riley had questioned Winnie’s identity before, all his doubts evaporated once he laid eyes on Xavier.Xavier had driven a small military truck to pick them up.Three people could sit in the front. There were even two motorbikes parked in the