The Sweet Rival (Mango Shen and Nathaniel Ye)

"Well, don't be too upset. The superior has given him a chance, but it depends on Maverick's decision. Don't worry. After this matter is over, you can finally retire as you like and draw a pension." Nathaniel knew what Morgan was trying to say about his retirement.

Generally, people retired when they were over 60 years old. However, members of the special forces retired when they were 35 years old. Since he had a higher military rank, the army would give him a pension allowance, even though he didn't need to participate in military affairs anymore.

This was also the life Nathaniel wanted.

He nodded and smoked a cigarette with Morgan. Then, he whispered, "I'm going to check up on Mango. By the way, what's with the array formation? Is it really something people practice in the ancient times?" "Oh, yes, I need to tell you something. The girl that you brought with with you is really extraordinary. She's amazing because she could solve this array!"

Morgan was impressed with Lilian's ability.

As soon as Nathaniel heard Morgan words, he knew that Lilian was right. However, he still had doubts about her identity.

"Lilian works for Augustus."

Morgan was slightly stunned to hear what Nathaniel had said.

"Lilian Becham? Is that her surname?"

"I don't know, and I just know her name. Augustus was the one who introduced her to Maverick, but Maverick seems to care about her very much." Nathaniel explained what he knew about Lilian and the details of the situation.

Then, Morgan said in a low voice, "She must be the descendant of the array. The mining field has existed for many years, and so has Longford County. If their ancestors hadn't reinforced the whole mountain range with the array, perhaps it would have been discovered long ago and wouldn't have been hidden so well. You have no idea how many experts we've invited to crack this array. We spent months drafting and researching this, but I didn't expect Lilian to solve it in such a short time. She's a treasure, and you should find a way to let her stay."

"I'm not sure. Lilian is very assertive and only listens to Maverick. If you want Lilian here, you need to protect Maverick."

Morgan was perplexed when he heard Nathaniel

saying this.

"Look, Nathan, you're making things difficult for me."

"I'm telling the truth. Lilian likes Maverick, and she is pregnant with his child. I don't care what you need her for, but you can't force or exhaust her. After all, I promised Maverick to protect her and the child." This was what Nathaniel had promised Maverick.

After hearing this Morgan creased his eyebrows with concern, but he still nodded his head.

As they were almost done with their conversation, Nathaniel inquired about Mango's whereabouts before leaving.

Meanwhile, Mango was bewildered by the treatment she received there. They were given enough food, but they were not allowed to leave the tent.

On the other hand, Lilian remained calm and quiet, but this pure silence was suffocating.

Then, Mango poured her a cup of water and said, "Drink some warm water to warm up your body."

"Thank you."

Lilian took the cup to warm her hands, but she did not drink from it as a trace of worry flashed across her eyes.

"When will Maverick meet with us?"

However, Mango did not know how to reply to her.

"I m sure it won't take long."

Suddenly, when Nathaniel came into their tent, Mango was stunned."

"Nathan? Is that you?"

"Are you scared?"

Nathaniel gently touched her head and said with a smile, "They're not Augustus's people. They're working for Morgan!"

"Morgan Eaves? Did we just find him by chance?"

Mango was shocked to hear this.

Meanwhile, Nathaniel nodded in reply.

During this period of time, Mango had followed him all over the place, and she was obviously worn out.

On the other hand, Lilian frowned slightly when she heard that it was Morgan's team. Then, she said faintly, "I want to go back to Maverick."

Nathaniel looked at Lilian and said softly, "I promised Maverick that I wouldn't let you go back. He should already have his plans, and you'd be making things difficult for him if you return. Also, you're not in good condition now."

Lilian's eyes flickered, and her hands involuntarily touched her belly. Suddenly, her eyes became a little softer.

"I'm pregnant, right?"

She asked the question straightforwardly.

Mango and Nathaniel looked at each other. Then, Nathaniel said in a low voice, "Yes, and you should be more careful from now on. After all, Maverick wants to protect this child."

Lilian's eyes became teary when she heard this.

"Alas! Why should I continue living a life without him?"

"How could this happen? Maverick will save himself! I'm sure he'll find a way."

"He can't do anything!"

Lilian suddenly became a little aggravated.

"If Maverick had a way out, he wouldn't have let me go, and he wouldn't have allowed you to protect me. He's not a person who will easily entrust his woman and child to others. He's always full of confidence, no matter how difficult the situation is. Besides, he said that he would never abandon me, and he could fight for me until he died. Hence, we're one now. Now that he entrusted me to you, it means that he has no way out, and this is the last chance."

While Lilian was speaking, she suddenly started sobbing.

Thus, Nathaniel's expression because upset when he heard this.

"He is Augustus's son. I don't think Augustus will let him dye."

"You guys don't know Augustus at all! He won't kill Maverick, but he'll make his life miserable! That's even worse than being dead. Urgh! You don't understand! Nathaniel, the reason why I followed you along the way was that Maverick cared about you guys. I wanted to guard you and send you to a safe place on his behalf. I know that this was Maverick's plan, but I can't leave him alone!"

Lilian started tearing up when she said this.

She sobbed, "You guys might think that you have led a hard life, but do you understand what is it truly like to suffer? Nathaniel Ye, you feel that your life is sad and pitiful. Your foster mother and your biological mother were evil, and they schemed against you. However, they raised you and gave you a normal childhood! Besides, you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth. Hence, you lived a privileged life compared to Maverick. You had a famous tutor, and you had servants to serve you. But what did Maverick have? He had nothing! The people threw him into the ancestral temple when he was a child, and he lived a lonely life with a broken memorial tablet. He was told that the memorial tablet belonged to his mother, a vermin expert. When you were living your best life, Maverick was fighting against the poisonous bugs. He did not have a proper childhood, and he spent his days with vermin! Although he is the only son of Augustus, Augustus never cared about him. People thought that Augustus was merely strict with his son, but that was false! Augustus is heartless and cold! So, I bet you can already imagine how badly Augustus had treated his son, right?"

Nathaniel's heart suddenly tightened when he heard this.

After Lilian finished, she stood up from her sleeping bag and tidied herself up before saying, "Now that you've reached a safe place and found the person you want, I won't accompany you anymore. I'm going back to find Maverick because he needs me now."

"Wait, you can't go back! If what you said is true, Augustus will never let you go! Do you realise how much Maverick cares for this child? It's very risky for you to head back now because you're pregnant. Lilian, this is Maverick's only wish. He hopes that your child will be born safely."

Mango stopped Lilian immediately and said this.

She was a woman too, so she could understand Lilian's emotions. However, she could not allow Lilian to leave because Maverick had asked them to take good care of Lilian and his child. Meanwhile, Nathaniel had mixed feelings. Then, he whispered, "You should stay here. I'll save him."

Lilian was surprised by his suggestion and hurriedly shook her head.

"No, Maverick would not want to see you in danger. Since you have already reached a safe place, it's risky for you to head back once again. Without Maverick, I don't have a reason to live on anymore. He has been struggling alone. This time, he even hurt himself while saving you guys. Therefore, he is weak now. Besides, it would be even terrible if Augustus found out that he helped you guys! Look, I have no other wishes. I just want to die with him because I belong to him. So don't try and persuade me because I won't change my mind. Even though Maverick arranged all this, I won't accept it because it's not what I want!"

Nathaniel and Mango was surprised by her words.

"Lilian, you can't do anything even if you go back alone. Furthermore, you will just make things difficult for him. If you stay, Augustus may only punish Maverick lightly. But if you go back, he will capture Maverick because of you and the child. Do you want this to happen?"

Lilian paused for a moment when she heard Mango's words. Then, Mango continued, "I know you're worried about Maverick, so are we. But I really don't think you must go back as you will only burden him further. Besides, it doesn't mean that you have to die together with him to prove your love. In fact, you can wait for him patiently to show him that you love him."

Lilian looked at Mango and listened to her words tentatively. Suddenly, tears began to roll down her eyes

"I'm...I'm just scared. I'm afraid that I won't see him again, and that I won't be by his side when he needs me the most. Maverick is scared of the darkness, and he doesn't like being alone. Alas! We have never been apart since he was 18 years old. I'm afraid that he can't sleep well at night now I'm not with him, I..."

After hearing this, Mango walked up and hugged Lilian tightly. She then said in a low voice, "It's alright, let's endure for a bit. I believe Nathan will think of a way to bring Maverick out. They are really good brothers. Nathan didn't know about his existence before, so Maverick suffered so much. Now that they are brothers, we obviously won't leave him behind. Lilian, trust us. I believe that we can bring him back to you, alright?"

When Lilian heard this, she couldn't hold it in any longer and started sobbing in Mango's arms.

"I beg you, please! Don't give up on Maverick. You guys are his only hope now."

On the other hand, Nathaniel was touched by these words.

"I will bring him back."

Nathaniel had originally wanted to stay behind to accompany Mango. However, he knew that he had to do something after hearing Lilian's pleas.

After all, Nathaniel would not allow Maverick to sacrifice himself to save all of them.

Suddenly, Nathaniel recalled Maverick's expression and smile. Thus, this was the first time he felt glad to learn that he had a brother.

Then, when he saw Lilian crying in Mango's arms, Nathaniel quickly turned around and walked out.

Perhaps it was time for him to take action.