Chapter 190: Chapter 190 I Can’t Let You Go
"Wait."
Stefan’s steps came to a halt just as he was about to leave, his body still tense from everything that had just happened. He slowly turned around toward the voice behind him. His expression already hardened before his eyes landed on the woman standing a short distance away.
She looked to be in her forties, her posture upright and composed, and her gaze sharp as it rested on him with an undeniable authority. Yet something about her presence made a faint frown settle on Stefan’s face as his brows drew together slightly.
"I don’t believe we’ve met," the woman said calmly, her voice even. "I am Margaret Wayne."
Stefan’s frown remained as the name registered in his mind, but it did not bring anything familiar except for one thing. Wayne.
He looked at her for a moment before speaking. "Wayne..." he repeated, his voice low, then added, "That only tells me you are part of the Wayne family."
Margaret’s lips curved faintly, though the smile did not reach her eyes, and she replied without hesitation. "I am more than just a part of it. I am now the commander of this fortress."
Stefan’s expression changed immediately as the faint frown sharpened, and he let out a shallow breath before correcting her. "You mean the acting commander," he said, his tone calm but firm. "Because the commander I know is out there risking her life to protect this fortress." His gaze hardened slightly as he continued. "And if I remember correctly, the acting commander was the patriarch of the Wayne family."
Margaret clicked her tongue softly, the displeasure clear despite the calm look on her face, and she replied flatly. "He was poisoned." She did not give him time to ask anything further before continuing. "Now answer me this. What is the situation outside?"
"We got separated from each other, and we are currently being hunted by the monsters." Stefan held her gaze for a moment, as if weighing her words, before replying. "I will report everything when I return," he said. "Right now, there is something I need to do."
His reply made Margaret clenched her fist beside her. She didn’t come this far just to be disrespectful by someone like Stefan.
Stefan turned around, intending to leave. But Margaret stepped back at that exact moment, and several soldiers stepped forward instead. They moved in unison and stopped in front of him, their presence blocking his path as their expressions remained stern and unreadable.
Stefan’s eyes flickered between them, and his brows tightened slightly as unease crept in. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked, his voice lower now and edged with warning.
No one answered him, and the soldiers only stood there in silence, which felt heavier than any words could have been.
Stefan felt the hostility in the air, subtle but unmistakable, and his gaze darkened as he decided not to waste any more time. His body tensed as he prepared to teleport, and the familiar sensation began to form as the space around him started to distort.
Suddenly, a sharp metallic sound clicked around his neck.
Stefan’s eyes widened instantly, and the distortion collapsed before it could fully form, leaving him exactly where he stood.
He tried again, but nothing happened.
A cold sensation wrapped tightly around his neck, and his hand shot up immediately as his fingers grasped the black metal device locked around him. He pulled at it, his grip tightening as he tried to rip it off, but it did not move.
He tried harder, but the device remained fixed in place.
His breathing grew heavier as realization settled in, and a cold understanding crept into his mind. His ability was blocked. It was exactly the same as the isolation center.
His chest rose and fell heavily. The thought of being trapped and not being able to search for the kids made his blood boil.
Slowly, he turned around, and behind him stood another soldier, lowering his hand after activating the device, his expression just as cold and unyielding as the others.
Stefan’s eyes darkened further, anger rising beneath the surface as he looked between them before speaking again. "Explain," he said, his voice tight. "What is this for?"
Margaret stepped forward then, her movements slow and composed as if she owned every inch of the ground she walked on, and her gaze remained fixed on him as she spoke. "I need to interrogate you," she said calmly.
"For what?!" Stefan barked at her, his nails digging into his palms.
"You came alone with a strange woman, without any sign of the others. Perhaps you are traitor, you left them and immediately came to the fortress with hope that we don’t know what you have done.
Until you are proven wrong you will remain in the isolation center."
She stopped in front of him, close enough that he could see the faint satisfaction in her eyes, and then she leaned slightly closer, her voice lowering so that only he could hear her.
"I can’t let you go back and inform Laurel about the situation of the fortress," she whispered.
Stefan’s eyes narrowed instantly as her words settled in his head.
Margaret pulled back slowly, her lips curling into a small, proud smile as she looked at him, and the meaning behind her words was clear without needing to be explained.
At that moment, Stefan understood that this was not about interrogation, and that she was not asking for answers but trying to control everything within the fortress.
"Let go of me right now... Let go..." Stefan struggled to break free from the device.
His heart clenched bitterly, then he turned toward the direction of the fortress’ gate.
’If I can’t teleport, then I’ll go by foot.’
He took to his heels as he began running towards the direction. But before he could take the third step, he was suddenly pinned to the ground.
He struggled helplessly to break free from their hold, his arm stretching helplessly to the direction of the gate.
"Take him to the isolation center." Margaret ordered in a cold voice.
"No, no, no... please... the kids..." But his words fell on deaf ears as they dragged him away.
