Chapter 133

The cheers echoing through the mine shaft pierced Evelyn Roland's eardrums like needles.

Her fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms.

"We're saved!"

"Finally going home!"

The workers' excited voices bounced off the narrow tunnel walls.

Evelyn's throat tightened.

How could she tell them the truth?

That those flashing police lights outside weren't for rescue—but to seal their fate?

That she was just as trapped as they were?

"I..."

She took a deep breath.

"Help is coming, but the passage is too narrow for equipment."

"Conserve your energy. We'll get out soon."

Muffled sobs rose from the darkness.

"Thank God...my daughter's waiting for me..."

"My wife's seven months pregnant. I can't die here..."

Evelyn bit her lower lip.

In desperate times, hope was more precious than oxygen.

"Stay put. Save your strength."

She grabbed a sharp rock and began sketching rapidly on the tunnel wall.

From the sounds, the trapped workers were in the adjacent shaft.

Mentally mapping the mine's layout based on her own path, she pinpointed their location.

Her fingers brushed damp soil. She rubbed it thoughtfully between them.

"Here."

She pointed to a spot on the wall.

"This is our way out."

Her legs trembled with exhaustion, but she couldn't stop.

Five lives.

And Sebastian Valdemar.

All depending on her.

"You can't climb that alone."

A hoarse male voice spoke behind her.

Evelyn whirled around.

Sebastian leaned against the wall, his face ghostly pale.

"You're awake?"

She hadn't expected him to regain consciousness so quickly.

"Yeah." He stepped closer, studying her crude map. "That exit's at least ten feet up with no running start."

Evelyn knew that.

But they had no other options.

"Together."

"Your injuries—"

Sebastian gave a grim smile. "Not fatal."

They moved through the tunnel until they reached the narrow opening.

Without hesitation, Sebastian dropped to one knee.

"Up."

Evelyn hesitated, eyeing his shaking arms.

"Keep waiting and we all die here."

His tone brooked no argument.

Gritting her teeth, she stepped onto his shoulders.

Sebastian surged upward with a pained grunt, his body swaying dangerously.

She felt his muscles tremble beneath her.

No turning back now.

Scrambling upward, her fingertips finally caught the ledge.

A heavy thud sounded below.

"Sebastian!"

She clung to the edge, peering down into darkness.

Silence.

Outside, the storm lashed the mining site, washing away all traces of crime.

"Evelyn! Over here!"

Dylan Orlando's shout cut through the rain.

Unable to reach Evelyn, he'd mobilized a team to the mines.