Chapter 137 The Rescue (2/2)

One had to fight fire with fire.

With that thought, Sam knew that in order to be by Kyle's side meant that he has to embrace the darker side as well.

Sam shrugged. Not a problem.

Personally, he didn't see that the move was wrong. It was a logical move. You can't be kind to your enemies and they must be nipped in the bud. From what he could see, Kyle was only defending and attacked only when provoked.

That, in itself, spoke volumes. Sam's respect for Kyle grew even more.

.:*・°☆...:*・.:*・°☆...:*・

When Kyle reached the team, Cathy suddenly gave him a hug. Ken was glaring at Kyle while Cole just smiled. The twins were giving great big grins, two thumbs up and mouthed, 'Niiiiiiicceeee'

Kyle returned the hug briefly and patted Cathy's back.

Just before she let go, she whispered in his ear, ”Thank you.”

Kyle didn't answer but simply nodded.

Only Cathy knew the true role Kyle played in her rescue. She had already given up, figuring that they wouldn't let her go no matter what. Thus, she didn't want to drag Kyle in and shouted the warning. She wondered what sort of life Kyle must have, to have people target him like this.

Cathy had been held captive in a wooden shed somewhere, blindfolded and tied to a chair. She heard some gunshots, shouts and shuddered, wondering what was going on. Soon, the blindfold on her eyes was removed and the first sight she saw was a guy with a kind and a rather shy face looking at her as he asked gently, ”Are you okay?”

Cahty nodded her head, not able to say a word. He was like an angel, right there and then.

”Zero! Hostage secured?” a voice sounded from outside.

”Yes, she's safe,” the guy in front of her said as he went to the back and cut her rope, letting her free. She rubbed her wrists that were sore from the rope and thought to herself, 'Zero, huh.'

Zero wasn't paying any attention to her at that point, merely looking about to secure the area. He then placed a hand on her back, pushing her forward gently, ”Come on, let's get you out of here.”

She followed obediently.

She found out later that the group that saved her was Kyle's personal guards. They told her to keep it a secret as their existence was meant to be Kyle's security. He had mobilised them to save her, risking exposure, as Kyle had felt she had been in danger because of him.

Cathy was touched by the gesture and didn't blame Kyle in the least. That's why she hugged him then. Cathy didn't tell her father what had happened, not wanting to worry him or implicate Kyle in any way. So she lied and told him that her purse had been stolen, and it had her phone and wallet in it. She chased after the thief, only to get lost. It had taken her some time to find her way.

She endured her father's scolding.

Cole didn't think much about Cathy hugging Kyle, but Ken certainly did mind.

”Please say thanks to the team again for me,” Cathy said softly to Kyle, ”Especially Zero. He was very kind to me when I was so scared.”

Upon hearing this, Kyle hid a smile.

”Did you hear that, Zero?” Kay teased, ”You have a fan.”

Kyle hadn't removed the earpiece yet and everyone was still connected.

Zero, meanwhile, had his hands frozen over the keyboards of the laptop. He gulped, his face suddenly beet red like a tomato. He hung his head down low, concentrating (or at least, tried to) on observing the screen in front of him.

Team Alex wisely kept quiet.

.:*・°☆...:*・.:*・°☆...:*・

The day ended with the prize giving ceremony.

Cole stood proudly at the first place position, his face had such a huge grin that it looked like it would split into two.

The team no longer needed to compete in the individual rounds if they didn't want to, as the scores they obtained from the team rounds would be used for the individual rounds as well.

For this, Kyle had performed exceptionally well, making sure that he broke all the records yet not so high that it would be mind-boggling. Unfortunately, it wasn't mind-boggling to him since he was still holding back but it was already beyond mind-boggling to other people.

So much for being low-key.

It was just that Kyle felt he owed Cole. It was because of him, that Cathy had been in danger in the first place.

This competition was Cole's dream and so, Kyle felt that it was only fair that he helped Cole win spectacularly in the team competition and at least, bag the individual part for bouldering (senior category) and lead climbing (junior category).

After Cole accepted the trophy, the other team members got their medals. All stood for a group photo and had to endure multiple camera flashes. The reporters came to interview them ... or to be more accurate, interview Kyle. He was the youngest ever contestant AND record holder.

”So! Kyle! Are you going to be doing this professionally now?” one reporter asked him.

”Nah, of course not. I was just doing this for fun,” Kyle replied.

The reporters nearly fainted at that reply. All the contestants who heard him felt like they wanted to vomit blood. They had been training seriously for years yet this brat, who broke the record that had been there for 5 years, was only doing it for fun?!

After it was all over, Kyle gave his medal to Kay then said to the team. ”Dinner is on me!!”