Chapter 3

Before long, an expedition helicopter dropped the crew onto the frozen Antarctic tundra.

Chloe stepped forward and announced firmly:

"From this moment on, everyone follows my and Derek's instructions to the letter. We can't afford any reckless mistakes. Understood?"

The team members nodded in unison.

Even Mark complied.

On the first day, navigating the outer perimeter went smoothly.

The second day was just as calm.

Yet by the third day, disaster struck.

They marched straight into the hunting territory of a polar wolf pack.

Several male researchers gripped their shotguns tightly, watching the predators with sheer terror.

In the middle of the group, Mark confronted Chloe, his face pale with rage:

"It's only day three and we're already being stalked by wolves! Knowing their nature, they'll trail us relentlessly! We can't conduct any research like this!"

"How on earth did you map out this route?"

Chloe looked equally rattled. "This has to be an anomaly! There's no way we could've known the pack would migrate here!"

Derek shrank behind Chloe, too cowardly to utter a single word.

"Alright, calm down. Maybe they're just passing through. Give it a few days and they might disperse," Professor White intervened, finally getting Mark to back down.

By day five, one of the male researchers collapsed from exhaustion and hypothermia.

Instantly, a wolf lunged forward!

*BANG—!*

Derek fired a shot, taking the wolf down.

Just as he turned, expecting Chloe's praise, the surrounding researchers ripped into him with fury.

"Are you insane?! You can't just fire a gun out here in the snow! What if you trigger an avalanche?!"

"Gunfire won't scare off a starving pack; it only pisses them off! You're an absolute amateur!"

Chloe hurriedly shielded Derek behind her back. "Derek was just trying to save a life! He panicked, that's all!"

Watching this unfold, I couldn't help but scoff bitterly.

If my route had run into a mess like this, she would have torn into me without mercy.

She never would have made excuses for me.

Yet for Derek, her patience was endless.

Mark’s face was grim.

"Professor White, I think we should abort the expedition."

"If we keep pushing forward, someone's going to die. We're ready to sacrifice our lives for science, but not for gross incompetence!"

Professor White hesitated.

"The institute poured massive funding into this mission."

"Giving up halfway would be devastating."

Mark grew desperate. "If we don't turn back now, what happens when we hit an even bigger threat? We'll all be wiped out!"

Seeing the hesitation, Chloe spoke up coldly:

"Mark, you're just fearmongering!"

"Polar research is inherently dangerous. If a tiny hurdle sends you running, you shouldn't have joined this expedition in the first place!"

I knew her true motive—she was terrified that turning back would destroy her newfound fame.

Mark glared at her, trembling with anger. "A tiny hurdle? Does someone need to get mauled to death before you admit you're wrong?"

Professor White's resolve began to waver.

Seeing this, Chloe gritted her teeth. "Fine! You just want to force us onto Nathan's old route, don't you?"

"Fine, let's take it! Professor White, we'll follow the exact route from my previous trek. Are you happy now?"

Professor White nodded. "A proven route should be much safer. Let's move."

Mark didn't object.

I knew he didn't trust Chloe or Derek—he trusted me.

After all, even when the entire internet slammed me for abandoning my wife, he was the only one who believed I wasn't that kind of monster.

Once they switched to my trail, the journey became markedly safer.

By day five, the wolf pack abandoned the chase.

The team set up camp and proceeded with their research.

A month later, after hitting their scientific benchmarks, they pushed deeper into the continent.

I floated by Chloe’s side, staring out at the snow-capped peaks in the distance.

My frozen corpse lay buried right beneath those slopes.

Buried under tons of compacted frost, with no hope of ever seeing daylight again.

"Is this where you guys were hit by the avalanche?"

Mark walked over, breaking the silence.

Chloe sneered. "Yes. This is where Nathan left me behind. Didn't you want to find out if he died here?"

"Go ahead, look for him! I’d love to see if you can dig up the coward who dumped me."

Mark’s expression hardened.

Right then, a researcher hurried back from the distance.

"Professor White, we spotted a seal acting strangely nearby. It's eerily quiet around here, what if..."

Professor White frowned, barking an order: "Everyone huddle together, keep your weapons ready. Let's go check it out."

Tension spiked immediately. The armed members formed an outer perimeter, scanning the horizon warily.

Soon, they caught sight of the unusual seal.

"Wait, is there something strapped to that seal? Is someone else out here?" Mark asked, squinting.

"Capture it and check, but don't shoot," Chloe commanded, her brow knitting.

Together, the team corralled the seal, discovering a small electronic sensor stuck to its hide.

Mark's eyes widened in shock. "Hold on! Isn't this... isn't this the tracker Nathan wore a year ago?!"