Third person's POV
Tabitha felt a bomb about to detonate in her head, a sense of extreme foreboding spreading rapidly within her like a torrential tide.
"Have you seen her? Where is she?" Tabitha's voice trembled with anxiety.
Her eyes were fixed on Mathilda, her gaze a complex mixture of despair and hope.
Mathilda crooked her finger slightly, beckoning Tabitha with a smirk on her face. "Follow me. I'll take you to her."
However, in Tabitha's mind, her words were like the devil's tempting yet deadly lure.
She knew that if Ayla was truly in her possession, she wouldn't go through such trouble to say she'd lead her there.
She would just hand the child over.
Instantly, Tabitha realized a terrible fact: besides Alya, she herself was likely one of the targets.
Could it be the one who had been hiding behind the scenes?
No, probably not. If it was that, they wouldn't use such an indirect approach. They would be more direct and brutal.
This woman spoke with an American accent but clearly wasn't from the Seattle area, and her face was unfamiliar to her.
Since it wasn't an old grudge, it was highly likely a new enmity.
Tabitha's hand unconsciously reached for the dagger Wilmot had given her a few days ago. She gripped the hilt tightly, grateful for the dagger for self-defense.
She tried to keep her face calm, pretending to be naive and unguarded, saying, "Really? The child is with you? That's great. She's so young, and I've been worried that she might run into danger if she got lost. You're such a nice person."
As expected, upon hearing Tabitha's praise, Mathilda's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smug smile.
That smile seemed to silently mock Tabitha's naivety, ignorance, and foolishness.
"I just happened to find her. The ship wasn't safe, so I took her to my place first. Seeing you in such a hurry, I guessed she might be your kid," Mathilda explained nonchalantly, with a hint of imperceptible complacency in her tone.
"Then take me to her quickly," Tabitha feigned great urgency.
Her eyes showed a hint of eagerness and anticipation, trying to make the woman believe she had completely fallen for her words.
Seeing Tabitha's anxious appearance, Mathilda smiled and said, "Don't worry. I'll take you there now."
The moment Mathilda turned around, Tabitha's expression turned cold and stern. She moved as fast as lightning.
She raised her foot high and kicked the woman's shin with all her might.
Mathilda was unprepared; her shin hit, and her body instinctively leaned forward, her knee buckling as if to kneel.
Seizing this perfect opportunity, Tabitha stepped forward sharply, performed a beautiful takedown move, and pressed the blade of her knife firmly against the woman's neck.
"Give me back the child, or I'll take your life!" Tabitha gritted her teeth, her eyes showing determination and resoluteness.
She knew her physical condition well. Due to her past experiences, her strength and endurance were not what they used to be, so she had to end the fight quickly and decisively.
If she gave that woman any chance to catch their breath, she would be done for!
Therefore, her series of actions were very smooth. Even if that woman's reaction was fast, by the time they realized it, the cold blade was already against their neck.
"I didn't expect you to be quite feisty," Mathilda showed no signs of nervousness or fear, instead speaking in a teasing tone, as if the knife at her neck wasn't a deadly threat.
Ignoring her teasing, Tabitha pressed the knife closer to her neck and coldly said, "I'm asking where the child is."
The sharp blade had just barely touched Mathilda's skin when it broke it, a trace of blood seeping out.
Tabitha was secretly grateful. The dagger Wilmot had given her was indeed a good one, extremely sharp.
"In my room, not far ahead," Mathilda saw the blood on the blade, a hint of imperceptible panic in her eyes, but she still feigned composure in her response.
"Key card," Tabitha's tone was icy, like a cold wind from a cellar, chilling to the bone.
The woman dared not defy and did as told. Finally, they arrived at the room door.
"Open the door," Tabitha tightened her grip on the blade again, viciously saying, "Don't try anything."
"Beep!" With a crisp electronic tone, the room door slowly opened.
Eagerly, Tabitha looked into the room, but what she saw first was not Ayla but mirrors from all directions! The entire room, even the ceiling, was tightly wrapped in mirrors.
A chill ran through Tabitha; what kind of pervert did someone who lived in such a place have?
"Where's..." Tabitha was about to ask about Ayla's whereabouts when Mathilda suddenly raised her hand and forcefully attacked her arm.
Tabitha felt a sour numbness in her arm, nearly dropping the knife.
Seizing the opportunity, Mathilda quickly turned the tables, using her agile moves to firmly subdue Tabitha in just a few moves.
The knife that had been in Tabitha's hand now rested in Mathilda's, pressing against Tabitha's neck, a hint of complacency in her eyes.
Then, grabbing Tabitha's right hand and examining it, she said, "I was right. Your right hand was injured, so your left hand isn't as agile, giving me an opening."
In just a moment, the situation had completely reversed, with Tabitha falling into a desperately passive and disadvantaged position.
Mathilda's face was filled with a triumphant smile, as if she had already achieved final victory.
While holding the knife to Tabitha's neck, she said, "Let's see what kind of face you're hiding under this mask that has him so devoted to you."
As the mask was slowly lifted, Mathilda couldn't help but be stunned.
She had thought she was quite beautiful, but compared to the woman in front of her, it was a world of difference.
This face was breathtakingly beautiful.