Chapter 87

Michael led Scarlett and her two friends into the hunting ground.

Isabella stood quietly outside the cage, eyeing the dyed koala.

"Koalas are Seraphim's animals, right? Seraphim's animals also include kangaroos, but kangaroos have it pretty bad. They end up on dinner tables every year. I've heard they don't taste great," Isabella muttered, leaning on the fence with her chin in her hands, watching the koala snoozing on the tree.

After a bit, Isabella stretched. She was already bored; this koala wasn't nearly as cute as a real panda.

'Compared to seeing news stories about other countries painting crocodiles, dogs, and elephants black and white to pass them off as pandas, this koala looks pretty convincing,' Isabella thought with a wry smile, then wandered over to the other cages.

Isabella walked up to a fence where two kangaroos were hanging out, and their well-developed muscles left her stunned.

'Wow, I've heard kangaroos have no natural enemies. Is it because of their muscles?' Isabella wondered, eyeing the beautifully muscled kangaroos, curious about how Austin managed to feed them.

Just then, Austin strolled over, and Isabella stopped him to ask about the two kangaroos.

"Are you talking about Megatron and Optimus Prime? They're our biggest stars! Every weekend, tons of people come to watch them spar! Trust me, even a boxing champ wouldn't stand a chance against them!" Austin proudly introduced his two kangaroos to Isabella.

Isabella's lips twitched. "Megatron and Optimus Prime, those are some interesting names."

Isabella found Austin to be a pretty funny old guy, so she started chatting with him.

Austin told Isabella about the history and development of the hunting ground, his heroic and great grandfather, and the story of how he once fought a lion on the prairie.

Suddenly, Isabella smelled something burning, like something was on fire.

"Austin, is that your house over there? It looks like it's on fire," Isabella said urgently, pointing to the distance where a plume of thick smoke was rising.

Austin saw the smoke and anxiously covered his head. "Oh no, that's my stable!"

"I'll help you put out the fire!" Isabella offered, but Austin stopped her.

"Ms. Taylor, just stay here and watch the kangaroos fight! If you get hurt, my hunting ground will be in big trouble!" Austin instructed Isabella before grabbing a nearby fire extinguisher and running towards the stable.

Isabella hesitated but decided not to follow. She didn't know how to put out a fire and worried she might just get in Austin's way.

Just then, a bloodied figure came running over. Isabella was startled to see it was one of Scarlett's friends.

"Ms. Taylor, has Scarlett or Mr. Williams come back?" Scarlett's friend, Wren Kelly, asked urgently.

Isabella shook her head.

Wren held her head, screaming in pain. "Oh my god, damn Austin! He didn't check the protective net! There's a tear in it. I found a blood-stained cloth strip and a phone. It looks like a large animal got in."

As Wren spoke, she showed a piece of blue cloth and a phone.

Isabella's face went pale instantly. She recognized the blue cloth strip as Scarlett's clothing, and the phone was Michael's. Both were stained with blood, which meant they were likely in danger.

"Austin went to put out the fire in the stable. What should we do now?" Isabella asked, clearly flustered.

Wren took a deep breath and said calmly, "I've already called the police. They'll be here soon to protect us, but I'm worried that by the time they arrive, Scarlett and Michael may have been taken by the animal. You stay here, I'll go get a hunting rifle!"

Wren's expression was serious as she turned towards the warehouse, but Isabella stopped her. "Wait, I'm coming with you! The more people, the better our chances."

Isabella's expression was determined. She wasn't worried about any potential conspiracy; she was only concerned about Michael's safety.

Wren hesitated but then sighed when she saw Isabella's determination. "Alright, you have a point. I remember Austin has a satellite phone. We can use it in an emergency."

Wren led Isabella to the warehouse, where she prepared hunting rifle bullets, a first aid kit, a compass, and a flashlight for Isabella.

Isabella felt the weight of the backpack on her, but she had no intention of lightening the load. She knew that everything in it could potentially save their lives in a critical moment.

"Alright, everything is ready. Let's go." Wren led Isabella into the hunting ground.

They arrived at a fence that had a large hole, likely made by a big animal like a grizzly bear.

"I'm warning you one last time, this could be dangerous. Are you sure you want to go in?" Wren asked Isabella.

Without hesitation, Isabella slipped through the hole in the fence. Wren followed close behind.

What Isabella didn't notice was that before leaving the fence, Wren placed Michael's phone next to the fence. In the next moment, another woman walked over, took the phone, and disappeared.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the hunting ground, Michael was still tracking the traces of the little boar. Finally, he spotted it and quickly shot his crossbow, hitting its hind leg.

The little boar fell to the ground, squealing in pain.

Michael caught up and grabbed the little boar, then tied it up.

Scarlett walked over, clapping her hands. "Michael, you're amazing! Looks like we'll have roasted boar for dinner tonight."

Michael didn't find it difficult at all. He looked at Scarlett and asked with a frown, "When is your friend coming back? Is she chatting with her boyfriend on my phone?"

Scarlett had two good friends, Wren and Ember. Ember had said she needed to urgently contact her boyfriend but didn't have her phone. Unfortunately, none of the three women had their phones, so Ember had to borrow Michael's.

Just as Michael raised this question, Ember finally rushed back and returned the phone to him.

Michael casually put the phone in his pocket, not noticing the glance Ember exchanged with Scarlett.