In that instant, Shawn Monroe truly wanted to snap Nora Lowell’s neck.

But he fought down the urge and demanded, "What did you do?"

Nora Lowell was violently slammed against a tree trunk. The impact sent a sharp pain through her back, and a powerful hand gripped her throat. She couldn’t even catch her breath, much less answer him.

Before she could recover, Shawn Monroe seemed to mutter to himself, "’What’s the point of asking that now? Right, there’s no point at all!’" His gaze returned to Nora Lowell’s face. As he slightly loosened his grip, his savage expression gradually cooled into his usual ruthlessness. "Give me the data! Knowing you, you wouldn’t be careless enough not to have a backup. Hand it over, and maybe I’ll consider sparing your life!"

Nora Lowell’s eyes flickered. Her throat was already in pain, which irritated her tear ducts, and she took the opportunity to let tears stream down her face. Her voice trembling, she was just about to say, "Okay," when the faint sound of footsteps suddenly reached them. Immediately after, several jets of flame and cold glints of light shot toward Shawn Monroe!

The attack was sudden, fast, and vicious, and it was definitely not from anyone Shawn Monroe knew. Alarmed, he forgot all about Nora Lowell and spun around to defend himself, launching a counterattack at the same time.

Freed from his grasp, Nora Lowell hesitated for a moment before stumbling toward the other side.

The two Superpower Users on the other side were dressed in black combat uniforms, their faces grim. One of them tangled with Shawn Monroe while the other helped Nora Lowell to her feet.

Shawn Monroe understood instantly. ’They’re here to protect this woman!’ Realizing it was now impossible to achieve his goal today, he shot Nora Lowell a sinister glare and retreated without a moment’s hesitation.

A Wind Ability wasn’t just for attacks; it also provided a speed boost. And he was using his full power. Seeing him swiftly disappear into the distance, the two Superpower Users exchanged a look, knew they couldn’t catch up, and decisively gave up the chase. They turned their attention back to Nora Lowell’s condition.

Nora Lowell wasn’t seriously hurt, but she had been choked hard enough that her vocal cords might have been damaged. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

One of the Superpower Users looked at her tear-streaked face and said flatly, "You know who we are, and that’s enough. It seems your enemy is quite strong. For your own safety, we’ll help you move right now. As for anything else, feel free to ask if you need something."

Nora Lowell closed her mouth and could only nod helplessly, her feelings a tangled mess.

Needless to say, these two were definitely sent by Sheldon Reid. She couldn’t very well tell them they had just ruined her plan.

’When Shawn Monroe had her pinned just now, it wasn’t that she was completely unable to fight back.’

’She had deliberately held back, waiting for an opportunity to persuade him.’

’She had expected Shawn Monroe to be angry, and while his actions were more violent than she’d anticipated, it was clear he was acting out of a momentary fit of rage. He was an intelligent man, after all; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so certain she had a backup of the data. Of course, a backup existed, but it wasn’t on her. It was with Woody Warren. Her original plan was to use the pretense of taking him to retrieve it, appealing to his reason and emotions along the way. She believed that once he calmed down, he was smart enough to understand what course of action was best for them both.’

’Too bad... it was all ruined!’

And now she had to pretend to be grateful. Nora Lowell felt a suffocating pain in her chest, a mix of frustration and anger.

As she got into the car with the two men, her thoughts were still on Shawn Monroe.

’Without him, she was even more isolated and vulnerable, which was a terrible disadvantage.’

’Maybe... she could still find a way to salvage the situation...’

At that moment, she had no idea of the horrifying scene that awaited her back at her residence. From that day forward, her hatred for Paige Summers would intensify until she wished she could eat her flesh raw.

Paige Summers didn’t care what Nora was thinking. In fact, she was more concerned with where the woman had disappeared to.

However, not only had the members of the Hunting Party failed to find anything, but there had also been no word from Jovitas. She had a feeling they were hiding something, but if they weren’t talking, there was nothing she could do.

Having lost Nora Lowell’s trail, she had to give up for the time being and focus on making weapons.

Under Rachel Forrest’s care and with good medicine, plus the fact that the wound hadn’t been fatal, Nola recovered fairly quickly. However, she had been stabbed in the left elbow, and even after the wound healed, she couldn’t exert much force with that arm. Her Wood Element Superpower had just reached the Fourth Rank, but now she was practically crippled.

She felt her heart turn to ash.

During a break from her work, Paige Summers saw Nola sitting listlessly in the living room all day, not speaking or moving, and couldn’t help but scoff. "Are you acting like this because of Quentin Sutton, or because of your own arm?"

Nola lowered her gaze and pressed her lips together.

’Of course it was for herself!’

’That scumbag, Quentin Sutton... she had liked him more, so after they got together, she had been completely devoted to him. Back in The Dead City, the moment she heard he was in danger, she had followed him without a second thought. But him... one moment he was whispering sweet nothings to her, and the next, he was using her as a human shield!’

’If she could, she would kill him right this instant!’

’But in her current state, what right did she have to even say such a thing?’

’A person with a useless arm...’

Paige Summers let out a breath. "If it’s about your arm, I can give you countless examples of people who achieved their goals with only one arm, as long as they had the will and put in the effort. Not to mention, your arm just can’t exert force. It’s not like you can’t even keep your balance. Of course, if this is about Quentin Sutton..."

Nola cut her off sharply. "It’s not about him!"

A smile touched Paige Summers’s lips. "Good. So what are your plans?" She said bluntly, "I saved you because it was convenient, but I can’t afford to support someone for nothing. If you keep acting like this, I’ll have to ask you to leave."

Nola was mortified, but she still understood the underlying meaning. "I won’t. I won’t be like this. I just... couldn’t accept it at first, but I’ll try my best. Please let me stay. I’ll do anything!"

She looked at Paige Summers earnestly. She didn’t feel any hatred toward her. ’Back then, Jayden Yeats and Quentin Sutton had ambushed Paige, trying to kill her. I was there too. It was only natural for Paige to want revenge. That’s just the rule for many Hunting Parties in The Dead City: an eye for an eye. If you die, you can only blame yourself for not being strong enough.’

’Besides, even in that situation, Paige hadn’t dealt a fatal blow. She had even saved her.’

’In fact, she was actually quite grateful.’

Paige Summers felt a flicker of warmth in her chest and smiled faintly. "I opened a weapons shop. If you’re willing, you can go mind the store."

Her goal in having Nola mind the store was to free up Leo Forrest.

For his sister, Rachel Forrest, staying in the city was a good choice, but the same wasn’t true for him.

Ever since Rachel had mentioned this concern to Paige, Paige had been trying to figure out where to find a trustworthy person to replace him.

And now, she had finally found a candidate!

With Nola’s situation settled, Paige Summers pushed forward with the production of the transforming weapons.

Meanwhile, Marcus Monroe had been staying in Andy’s room. Although he would occasionally disappear, he always returned before long, diligently acting as her guardian.

After he had fended off an unknown number of intruders, Paige Summers finally emerged from her room and announced that the transforming weapons were complete!