Chapter 65

"Michael, look!" Charles Clark whispered urgently, subtly gesturing toward the far end of the train car.

Samuel Bright followed his gaze and saw a man in a plaid shirt gripping the wrist of a young woman. She appeared to be in her early twenties, her face pale, her hair tied in two braids.

"Something's wrong," Michael Stone murmured, narrowing his eyes.

The man raised his voice. "Stop making a scene, wife! Let's go home!"

The girl shook her head desperately. "I don’t know you! Help!"

Passengers murmured among themselves, but no one intervened.

"Michael, I'll get help!" Charles jumped to his feet.

Michael held him back. "Wait."

His sharp eyes scanned the man’s rough hands and the girl’s delicate wrist. A suspicion formed in his mind.

"Charles, find the train police. Samuel, block the other exit. Daniel, with me."

They moved swiftly. Michael strode toward the struggling pair.

"Sir, may I see your marriage certificate?" His calm voice silenced the entire car.

The man stiffened. "None of your business!"

"I’m with the police," Michael lied smoothly. "We’re cracking down on human trafficking. Cooperate."

Sweat beaded on the man’s forehead, and his grip loosened.

Just then, Charles returned with the train police, while Samuel cut off the other exit.

"Take them both!" the officer ordered.

After three hours of interrogation, the truth emerged. The girl was a university student from the provincial capital, while the man was a repeat offender who preyed on young women traveling alone.

That evening, the girl returned to the train car, her eyes red.

"Thank you," she said, bowing deeply to Michael. "If not for you, I might have been—"

Michael waved it off. "Just doing what anyone would."

"To you, it was nothing. To me, you saved my life." Her voice trembled. "I’m Lin Xiaoyu, from Provincial Normal University. If you ever need anything—"

"Your stop," Michael interrupted gently. "Take care."

As the girl disappeared into the crowd, Daniel sighed. "Michael, you really did save a life today."

Michael stared out the window at the darkening sky, silent. His thoughts drifted to his wife’s worried gaze before he left. He longed to return home.

Meanwhile, back in the village, Emily Johnson suddenly sneezed.

"Mom, are you sick?" David asked anxiously.

Tommy rushed to pour hot water. "Drink this, Mom!"

Emily rubbed her temples, her heart inexplicably racing. She glanced toward the village entrance, a strange foreboding settling over her.