Leander told the driver to pull over. Both Ophelia in the back seat and the driver found it strange, unsure what he was about to do.They both looked at him.Leander sat in the front, silent for a moment, as if weighing something in his mind. Then, he raised a hand and pointed decisively in one direction. "Go that way."noveldramaThe direction he indicated was nothing but endless yellow sand. Ahead, sand and dust churned violently, far harsher than the other routes, with visibility that could disappear at any moment."Mr. Ashcroft, are you sure you want to go that way?" The driver was familiar with most of the desert routes. When he saw where Leander was pointing, his expression shifted, a flicker of fear crossing his face."That area is known by the locals as the Kiss of Death. There are hidden currents of quicksand everywhere. One wrong move and it will swallow you whole. Sand tornadoes often form there as well. Even locals who know this desert well avoid it. Mr. Ashcroft, could you be mistaken?"Even though the people above had instructed him to follow Leander's orders without question on this desert expedition, doubt still crept in.Money mattered, but his life mattered more.In the desert, one wrong move can get everyone in the car killed. If we lose our lives, what is there left to enjoy?"No mistake. Trust me. This way." Leander looked indifferent. His expression was flat and final, as if changing his mind was never an option.The driver hesitated, his expression full of uncertainty, until Ophelia finally spoke up from the back seat. "Leander, are you sure you are not mistaken?"Her eyes flickered with tension as she lowered her voice. "I remember this desert area. My team and I passed through here before. Even the guide we hired warned us that this region was strictly off-limits. Anyone who goes in risks death."And now you want us to drive straight through it. Are you seriously treating our lives like a joke?"Leander did not even glance at her. He kept his eyes on the driver. "You were assigned to bring me here, and your orders were to follow everything I say. If I tell you to take that route, you take it. Do not worry. If anything happens, I will take full responsibility."After that, he finally turned to Ophelia. "We are going this way. If you are uncomfortable or have concerns, you are welcome to leave. I will give you a portion of water and food."The coldness in his words made Ophelia freeze for a moment. This guy...She felt a surge of grievance well up inside her.I am the precious daughter of the Snowbrooks from Bladewick. I am also a fashion jewelry designer. Not just any designer, but someone who leads the entire industry.Additionally, I work part-time as a print model and have appeared on the covers of numerous weekly magazines. Wherever I go, I am polished, glamorous, and constantly in the spotlight.Even if I strip away every title and bit of shine, I am still a breathtaking beauty. Men fall for me everywhere. And yet when Leander looks at me, it is like he is staring at a stranger-someone who has no connection to him.Getting even a few extra words out of him feels like pulling teeth. I seriously start to wonder if the desert sun has been roasting me for too long. Perhaps my looks have actually taken a hit, and that is why he treats me this way."So, have you made up your mind?" Leander asked calmly. His gaze was deep, unreadable, and stripped of any evident emotion.Ophelia glanced around at the endless stretch of yellow sand. Her heart jolted. She clenched her jaw, then made her decision. "Fine. I will go with you."...Out here in this desolate desert, running into two other people had already felt like a miracle. If she had to face this wasteland alone again, she did not even want to imagine how bad it could get.The road ahead was dangerous, no doubt. Still, three people traveling together was far better than one. At least they could watch each other's backs."Let's move." Leander did not hesitate for a second. He gave the driver a brief nod.The driver gritted his teeth. Thinking of the massive payout waiting for him, he slammed on the accelerator. The off-roader roared forward and plunged straight into the swirling sea of sand.The road ahead was completely buried. Visibility dropped to almost nothing. The wipers swept back and forth nonstop, yet they could not clear the sand blasting against the windshield.Leander took in the scene and let out a faint, indifferent smile. He rested his palm against thepassenger-side door. A surge of netPrimordial Energy spread,silently forming an invisible barrier,outwardaround the off-roader. No matterhow violently the sand whippedthrough the air, any grain that camewithin a foot of the vehicle wasrepelled by an unseen force. The driver sensed that something was off, but he didn't dwell on it. He focused entirely on handling the off-roader. After half an hour of tense driving, they finally burst out of the storm zone."Phew." As the surroundings calmed, Ophelia let out a long breath. The chaos of flying sand and howling wind had genuinely shaken her. Her eyes flickered as she was about to speak, then her gaze suddenly froze.About a kilometer ahead, a massive oasis came into view. Sandsong Oasis stood there in full clarity."Sandsong Oasis? That really is Sandsong Oasis? So, it actually exists!" Ophelia stared in disbelief before shouting in pure excitement, her expression lighting up with joy.She had come all the way to the Sahar Wastes for this exact reason. She was searching for Sandsong Oasis and the spring of life hidden within it.The driver also relaxed when he saw the oasis. As long as he delivered Leander here, his job was done.The off-roader headed straight toward Sandsong Oasis. As they drew closer, more than a dozen figures emerged from the trees.At the sight of them, Ophelia's excitement surged even higher. "It's them. Those are the bodyguards I hired!"She spoke as she leaned out the window, waving vigorously at the people ahead.More than a dozen burly men in long coats had noticed the scene as well. One of the younger men recognized Ophelia and lit up immediately, hurrying toward the off- roader with long strides."Ophelia? Is that really you?" He did not even wait for the vehicle to come to a complete stop before rushing to the back seat, reaching out as if to take her hand.Ophelia instinctively leaned back, dodging his grasp. She still stepped out quickly and joined the others.A flicker of awkwardness crossed the young man's expression. Around them, the dozen-plus guards Ophelia had hired closed in. Their weathered expressions made it obvious that after being scattered by the tornado, none of them had come through unscathed. "Ms. Snowbrook, are you all right?" The lead guard looked at Ophelia with open concern. He had worked for the Snowbrooks for ten years and had always treated her like his own daughter.When she was separated from them in the storm, he had blamed himself relentlessly."I'm fine, Evren. They saved me." Ophelia gestured behind her as Leander and thedriver stepped out of the vehicle and walked over."Leander, let me introduce you. ThisIneis Evren Westvale. He's the head of security hired by the Snowbrooks, and also my grandpa's personal bodyguard She turned toward Leander gratitude clear in her eyes, as she introduced the broad-shouldered man beside her. Then, she opened her palm toward the handsome young man nearby. After a brief hesitation, she continued, "This is Cedric Montgomery, the heir of the Montgomerys from Bladewick. He's my "Before the word "fiance" could leave her mouth, Leander cut her off with animpatient wave of his hand. "You don't need to tell me who they are. I'm not interested. We've delivered you safely to Sandsong Oasis. The deal is done. Pay us what you owe.