Third person's POV
Derek's health had shown a marked improvement over the past two days.
With the ship about to dock in Seattle, all matters had reached a critical juncture.
Following Derek's instructions, Rolf and Alvin had discreetly disembarked.
Their mission was twofold: to swiftly return to the company with the various contracts Derek had meticulously signed aboard the ship and to handle the backlog of internal affairs, ensuring the company's operations proceeded smoothly and efficiently.
And secondly, Derek, in his thoroughness, knew arrangements had to be made in advance to prevent Tabitha from suspecting his identity once she disembarked.
Everything had to appear natural and reasonable.
In the days leading up to this, life had been as calm as a tranquil sea without a ripple.
Forrest, as usual, delivered meals to Tabitha on schedule, and the process had gone off without a hitch, with no errors or mishaps.
But just as a sudden clap of thunder could split the calm sky, the unexpected happened without warning.
It was nearly dawn when Forrest was awakened by a knock at the door.
At this hour, few people would disturb those in their rooms. His first thought was, could it be Tabitha?
A sinking feeling gripped his heart, a sense of foreboding rising within him.
Derek was in the middle of a crucial video conference, and at the sound of the knocking, his face turned pale.
He hadn't donned his usual disguise, and if seen in his true appearance, there would be serious trouble.
He quickly signaled to Forrest with a glance, indicating he should check the peephole first.
Forrest approached the door cautiously and peered through the peephole, then turned back with a puzzled expression. "No one's there," he said.
Derek's brow furrowed deeper, his suspicions growing.
Forrest hesitated for a moment before slowly opening the door and looking outside. The corridor was empty except for an exquisite box resting on the ground by the door.
"That's weird. could it be a gift from the staff?" Forrest wondered, unable to think of anyone who would send something at this hour.
He bent down, picked up the box cautiously, and opened it with curiosity.
However, when he saw what was inside, his face turned as pale as paper, and he was so horrified that the box slipped from his hands.
"Alpha Derek, Tabitha and Ayla are in trouble!" Forrest's voice was shrill with sheer terror.
Derek, who had been deeply focused on the video conference, immediately ended it upon hearing Forrest's exclamation.
He quickly removed his headphones and shut down his computer.
His eyes filled with anxiety and anger, he strode towards Forrest and asked urgently, "What's going on?"
Forrest, hands trembling, held the box and rushed towards Derek, his voice choked with emotion. "Alpha Derek, you have to see this."
Derek looked into the box to see two photos and a little white rabbit doll.
In one photo, Ayla was dressed in adorable pajamas, her small face filled with terror and helplessness, her eyes brimming with tears as if she had just experienced a great shock.
The other photo showed Tabitha tightly bound to a metal pipe, a scene reminiscent of the woman he had punished that night, sending a chill down one's spine.
Seeing this, Derek's anger flared up, feeling as if his chest would burst with rage.
He had thought that by teaching that woman a lesson in her own coin, she would learn her place and not dare to act rashly again. But she had the audacity to target Tabitha.
"Damn it!" Derek cursed under his breath, his hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white from the force.
"Come with me," Derek ordered, suppressing his fury.
"Yes, Alpha Derek," Forrest quickly responded.
Derek didn't care about anything else at the moment. He just grabbed a full-face mask, quickly covering his face, and snatched his coat before striding out of the room.
He headed towards the room from that night, guided by memory.
When he arrived at the door, he found it slightly ajar, as if the other party was deliberately waiting for his arrival.
Without hesitation, Derek kicked the door open with all his might.
But upon entering, he found the room empty, with no sign of Tabitha.
"No one's here!" Forrest shouted anxiously.
Derek scanned the room and his gaze fell on the table, where a letter was placed. He quickly went over, picked up the letter, and unfolded it. It read in bold handwriting. "Are you satisfied with the gift I've sent you?" On the white paper was a large red lipstick kiss, strikingly conspicuous.
Derek continued to the second sheet of paper, which read, "If you want to know their whereabouts, come to the Banquet."
At the sight of the word "Banquet," Derek's eyes turned cold and fierce, feeling as if those two words were consuming his sanity.
Tabitha might not understand, but he knew this place all too well!
On this ship, there were many dark corners, and the "Banquet" was undoubtedly the darkest and most terrifying among them.
It housed a massive auction house that sometimes auctioned off antiques, medicinal materials, treasures, and the like, but sometimes the items for auction were extraordinarily special—living, breathing human beings.
Derek never expected such a thing to happen so soon after Rolf and Alvin had disembarked.
"Alpha Derek, what do we do now?" Forrest asked cautiously, sensing the chilling aura emanating from Derek.
Derek crushed the note in his hand, his voice as cold and merciless as if it came from the depths of hell, "Contact the owner of the Banquet and demand the release of the hostages."
"But that owner is always mysterious and doesn't owe anyone any favors," Forrest said with a pained expression, helplessly.
"No favors?" Derek raised his head slightly, his eyes revealing a determination and ferocity. "Then we'll destroy his ship, put an end to his business, and make everyone pay with their lives!"