shuhaige
Chapter 706
Chapter 706
Chapter 706 The Handsome Cayden
Cayden exited the shopping mall at an unhurried pace.
The “woman's” tall and striking frame, combined with her attention-grabbing appearance, rendered every step she took brimming with elegance. Amidst the bustling crowd, she stood out distinctly.
Cassie regarded her with a hint of skepticism. This Aplothian woman appears unusually tall, doesn't she?
Yet, Eastern Epean women were often tall, with some even reaching heights above 190 centimeters. There was no substantial reason to harbor doubts about this.
Cassie pointed at Cayden in an imperious manner and ordered, “You, take off your sunglasses!”
With a faint smile playing on his lips, Cayden complied, removing his sunglasses and revealing a complexion as fair as a blooming flower. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
Cassie's brows furrowed as she scrutinized the excessively beautiful Aplothian woman, her eyes reflecting an air of enchantment and expressiveness. There was a faint sense of familiarity in “her” features, a subtle resemblance to the man Cassie was relentlessly pursuing.
However, Cassie swiftly dismissed such notions.
A proud man like Hugh would never resort to disguising himself as a woman. Furthermore, Hugh's skin is a captivating bronze hue, whereas the woman before me possesses a complexion of snow white. There isn't the slightest resemblance between the two.
Cassie waved her hand in an irritable gesture toward Cayden, her impatience evident as she instructed, “Move along, don't linger and be an eyesore!”
And thus, the black-clad men allowed Cayden to continue on his way.
Cassie's icy gaze swept across the bustling crowd. She noted that the majority of individuals were blond-haired, green-eyed Eastern Epeans. A smattering of Aplothian men could be found scattered about, but they generally possessed shorter statures and unremarkable appearances.
Impatience gnawing at her, Cassie spoke curtly. “You all stay put and guard the entrance. Don't overlook any traces. The rest of you, come with me. We're searching the interior!”
Beneath the wide brim of his hat, Cayden's lips curved into a sly, imperceptible smile. Swiftly, he joined the stream of people who were granted passage, slipping away in a different direction.
Within the shopping mall, Cassie strode purposefully alongside her group, confidently traversing each store. Despite her numerous inquiries, they were unable to uncover any sign of Cayden.
While inspecting a high-end boutique, Cassie encountered the exact floral maxi dress worn by the Aplothian woman.
Why she could recall that woman so vividly was a question she couldn't quite answer. It could be a peculiar intuition or perhaps the indelible allure of that “woman's” countenance.
Entering the store, Cassie reached out to touch the long skirt, but before she could make contact, a smiling shop assistant approached her. “Are you also interested in purchasing a dress, miss? You've got excellent taste. Just earlier, there was a lady... or rather, a gentleman, who also bought this same dress.”
Cassie's icy gaze bore into the shop assistant, a black gun pressed against the side of the latter's head. “What did you just say? A man purchased this maxi dress?”
The shop assistant nearly went pale from the shock, realizing that the situation had taken a perilous turn. Confronted with the sudden influx of black-suited individuals surrounding the store, she comprehended the gravity of the situation.
“W-What do you intend to do?” she stammered, overwhelmed by fear.
Cassie's subordinate brandished a photograph and tossed it onto the counter before the shop assistant, demanding, “Have you seen this man?”
The shop assistant, paralyzed with trepidation, hastily divulged the truth, “Y-Yes... this man just bought women's clothing, shoes, and a sun hat here. Initially, I assumed he was purchasing them for his wife or girlfriend, but to my astonishment, he ended up trying them on himself... I-I can hardly believe it. He's so handsome, yet he has a penchant for cross-dressing. Not only did he purchase women's clothes, but he even took a wig off one of our store mannequins...”
Cassie's voice rang out with intensity. “He wore women's clothes, took a wig and a hat?”
The shop assistant dared not make a move, tremblingly affirming, “Y-Yes, he selected the newest style that just arrived at our store. However, he looked ethereal in it, incredibly unique. He appeared even more beautiful than a woman wearing it...”
The final sentence was punctuated with amazement.
Cassie's visage turned frigid. Suddenly, she recalled the Aplothian woman she had encountered near the mall entrance.
That captivating face, those familiar features, and those eyes that met hers, were alluring and captivating.
Initially, she had interpreted those eyes as brimming with tenderness. Yet, in hindsight, they were suffused with derision and challenge, an indication of his disbelief that she hadn't recognized him.
Cassie seethed with fury, vexed at allowing the very man she was tasked with capturing to evade her grasp so effortlessly.
Suppressing the boiling anger within her, she strode forward with purposeful strides, commanding, “After him!”
One of her subordinates hastily snapped a photograph and set off in pursuit.
In a matter of moments, the entire group of assassins had been alerted to Cayden's disguise: an aqua- blue floral maxi dress, a white sun hat, and brown sunglasses.
Cayden dipped his hat lower, making his way toward the parking lot. However, his path was abruptly blocked by two men clad in black suits. “Hold it right there!”
Without glancing back, he continued moving forward, only to find a human barrier forming ahead. Several guards regarded him icily, their gaze fixed upon him as if sizing up a helpless prey.
Cayden's expression hardened, but he deliberately inquired in standard Ustranasion, “Excuse me, what seems to be the matter?”
“Hugh, return with us immediately. Ms. Cassie is infuriated,” one of them demanded.
Adopting a nonchalant demeanor, Cayden tilted his hat slightly and responded calmly, “Apologies, but I believe there's been a misunderstanding. I'm not acquainted with anyone named Ms. Cassie.”
“Hmph, enough with the chit-chat! Take this traitor into custody!” A man dressed in black, his patience clearly waning, lunged toward Cayden.
In an instant, Cayden sprang into action, deftly covering the man's mouth from behind to stifle any sound. His grip tightened around the man's neck, executing a swift and forceful twist. Before the man could even utter a groan, his body slumped lifelessly to the ground.
Despite his aversion to taking lives, Cayden found himself trapped in circumstances that often demanded bloodshed for survival.
Sensing the danger that unfolded, another assassin reacted swiftly, training his firearm on Cayden.
With the agility of a predator, Cayden lunged forward, his hand closing around the assassin's pistol just as the gun discharged. The sharp crack of the gunshot resonated, accompanied by Cayden's internal curse, “Damn it.”
The silenced bullet grazed his arm, a fiery pain surging through him as he winced. While his struggle altered the bullet's trajectory, it still managed to graze his arm, leaving behind an intense burning sensation.
Battling through the pain, Cayden retaliated by driving his knee forcefully into the assassin's abdomen. In a simultaneous motion, he disarmed the man of his firearm.
His time on Eerie Island had subjected him to rigorous training, familiarizing him with an array of firearms to the point where he could disassemble them blindfolded.
In a swift motion, he dismembered the assassin's arm, using the limp body as a makeshift shield against any incoming bullets as he sprinted toward the underground parking lot.
Despite his efforts, a circle of a dozen or so assassins had encircled him, closing off his escape route.
A cold, bitter laugh escaped Cayden's lips as he clenched a gleaming silver pistol, its metallic surface catching an eerie glint from the surrounding streetlights.
His intent to kill was palpable in the air. He was poised for a battle, determined to unleash a storm of violence if necessary. The question that hung in the balance was whether he could survive this relentless onslaught and reunite with his beloved Avery.
But then, a surprising turn of events unfolded.
The assassins surrounding him began to drop one by one, each struck down by precise gunfire. Cayden's gaze darted around, his astonishment mingling with caution.
Soon, his eyes locked onto Xander, who approached with a wicked grin, his tone thick with sarcasm. “Well, well, well, when did the unparalleled Mr. Cayden decide to dabble in the world of femininity?”