Chapter 247 - The Islet Mystery 63

Marco threw Alvin a glance as he saw that all of their men have decided to support the new administration as offered by Ryan. He could never blame any one of them for cutting their allegiance to their abusive master. They had families to feed, and Mr. Te never considered the urgency of their needs. He didn't even think much about their welfare whenever he assigned them on some tasks. For him, they were like robots, acting on his every demand.

Alvin also gazed back at him, trying to make non-verbal communication with him. He wanted to know his decision, being the most trusted bodyguard Mr. Te had kept for years. While Mr. Te lives, he still held the full command. What if Mr. Te would learn about their betrayal? What would happen to them and their families? Even if he understood his fellow guard's sentiments, as well as Ryan's motive, joining Ryan's cause, was still an act of betrayal. And this further made him guilty.

"It's getting late, and I think I have given you enough time to decide. If you deny me of your support, it's fine. Just go and leave. Yet, if you choose to stand beside me from now on, show it to me by leading the way towards the elderlies' hideout."

The police officers quickly positioned themselves, c.o.c.king their pistols and rifles ready. Marco and Alvin exchanged glances quickly, both wanting to know each other's stand. Casting another glance at Marco, he gestured the island guards to go forward first while he stood at the side with an alert mind and eyes. He got worried that Marco still held Mr. Te's loyalty and that he and his men would fire on them. As the last guard stepped away from him, Alvin turned his back on them and followed the others. Being in charge of keeping Ryan's parents, he and his men should be the ones to get them without the need for an order.

Marco's mind was battling deep inside. Mr. Te kept him ever since he was young. He had risked his life for many years and had accepted the fact that his life hanged on the line every day and every time he was on a task. Mr. Te placed his trust on him for all the years he was in jail and entrusted him with all the operations and transactions. All of a sudden, he felt guilty. Mr. Te may not be a good boss, but he chose to trust him over many others who were also capable of protecting him and his cause. The day he accepted the job was the day he dedicated his life for him, to protect him and to die for him. He already knew what kind of a person Mr. Te was, and in this kind of job, he had accepted him for what he was.

With a move like a bolt of lightning, he raised his rifle, pulled the trigger and ran his firing weapon against the police officers who stood alert across him. Startled by Marco's action, his men followed him also and fired blindly at the officers before running away. One thing was in their minds- Marco committed suicide in defense of his boss. He knew he only had a slim chance of escaping, knowing that the police officers enclosed them already

However, the police officers already read his shifting decision. They understood the message in his eyes as he moved his gaze between Alvin and the men. Before a single bullet could hit one of them, they already dropped to the ground and pushed Ryan to dive with them. Faster than a blink of an eye, they aimed their guns up and fired against Marco and his men, hitting them first. However, those who managed to run away still turned to them and continued to fire, forcing the police officers to shot them until they all fell to the ground.

After the exchanges of bullets, the police understood that this was a stupid move, but Marco's act of loyalty. With several years of training and experience, Marco had become excellent and cunning in his field. They knew he could see beyond and would never have done this silly act. But because of loyalty and dedication, he chose to die. They felt sad for him for ending his life prematurely before giving himself a chance to live a better life.

Alvin and his men froze as they turned to see the succession of gunshots. They saw how Marco and his men fell, and they got chilled to the bones. They were only island dwellers who had no proper training except for some sessions Marco conducted for them.

Before anyone of them made a move, one of the police officers spoke to them."If you still hold your loyalty to Mr. Te, I'm giving you this last chance. Walk away from where you stand and go home. You know very well that keeping a child and an old couple here is a crime."

The island guards looked at each other and then to Alvin. They saw his hesitations, and suddenly they got afraid that he would also do what Marco and his men did. Then, the captain broke the silence.

"Alvin, if you love your family more than the criminal who exiled and maltreated his parents and his grandson, then decide now. If you need more time to think, go home first. As for me and the rest of us, we choose better lives under fair and better administration."

The captain pulled out his gun and aimed it at him while the rest did the same. The two teams of armed men now cornered him. The captain who witnessed Alvin's sincerity felt sad for him. He knew Alvin was not a bad person; he was just loyal and faithful to his promise.

"Alvin, don't make a stupid decision. Think of your children who need you. Go now and think more about this."

With more advice from other men, Alvin dropped down his gun and slowly walked away. The island guards then moved quickly towards the cave. Ryan followed them, accompanied by some of the men to protect him.

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Focusing her binoculars where she saw Yanyan stepping out of his boat, she waited until Yanyan disappeared. She looked around, and when she saw that they were alone, she asked the boatman to come closer to the island. However, when they were a few meters away, she looked through her binoculars and saw men standing on the area where Yanyan passed through. In their hands were rifles aimed at them. Shiela's knees started to shake, but the boatman was quick to wave a flag with the hotel's logo.