Ocean's Cage, Lover's Game

Lower than any thief!

Dylan immediately picked up the emergency hammer from the floor and said venomously,

"One more word out of you, and believe me, I'll smash your head in right now."

Isabella cowered delicately behind Dylan, but when she looked at me, her eyes held not a trace of fear, but a flicker of provocation:

"Bennett, Dylan is the one who believes in me. Why would I ever take someone else's things? Don't you agree?"

I said nothing, my gaze fixed in the direction of the lifeboat.

Just then, someone near the edge of the deck suddenly yelled,

"Shit! I think it's Somali pirates!"

Instantly, a chorus of angry curses erupted from the crowd.

"Dylan, are you satisfied now?!"

The man who'd been pushed down earlier pointed at the approaching pirate speedboats and said furiously, "Because we waited for her, we've led the pirates right to us! No one's getting out of this alive!"

A mother, clutching her young children, sobbed, "My babies are so little... and now they're going to die, all because she wanted to steal some more jewelry..."

Looking as if she'd been deeply wronged, Isabella's eyes immediately reddened as she shrank into Dylan's arms:

"It's not my fault the pirates are here."

"I didn't take these things for myself. I was planning to donate them to a charitable foundation."

Dylan protectively pulled Isabella behind him, his heart aching for her. "That's right! This has nothing to do with Isabella. She's just too kind-hearted."

The deck erupted into chaos. Some people were screaming and crying, while others clung to each other in despair.

The pirates were getting closer. The sound of them firing their AK-47s into the air was so loud it drowned out the crashing of the massive waves against the hull.

I looked at the crowd and said in a low voice, "The first wave of pirates won't be large. If we escape now, we still have a chance."

"If I remember correctly, there's a small island ahead in the Caribbean Sea. We can go ashore and hide there."

After hearing my words, Dylan didn't hesitate any longer. He immediately took the lead and jumped down into the lifeboat.

The others quickly followed, boarding the boat in an orderly fashion.

Only Isabella remained, saying in a delicate, whining tone, "Dylan, it's so high up here. I'm too scared to jump."

Everyone glared at Isabella, their expressions a mixture of contempt and disgust.

But Dylan, without a second thought, immediately ran forward, swept her up in his arms princess-style, and carried her down into the lifeboat.

He cooed softly, "Easy now. I'll drive slowly so it won't be a bumpy ride for you."

I watched the two of them with cold eyes, not saying a single word.

Just then, I heard Dr. Mitchell's voice from behind me: "Ms. Carter, even if the lifeboat gets us to the island, without a rescue, the pirates will still find us."

"That's right. I'm afraid no one knows these waters better than the pirates themselves."

"Dr. Mitchell, please don't worry. I've already contacted the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet. I'm sure they'll be here to rescue us soon."

After helping Dr. and Mrs. Mitchell get settled, I explained calmly.

"This US-Saudi medical partnership of yours is crucial, and I will absolutely ensure you arrive safely."

Hearing this, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

With the lifeboat moving at full speed, we successfully reached the small island.

Once on the island, I followed the memories from my past life and led everyone to a relatively hidden cave to hide in.

But what I hadn't expected was that Isabella had stolen far too much jewelry.

So even though she was clutching the box tightly, quite a few jewels still spilled out.

Those already precious Harry Winston diamonds were even more dazzling and brilliant under the sunlight.

Just then, someone near the entrance to the cave suddenly cried out in alarm, "It's over! It's the pirates, they've caught up to us!"