The Heiress Spoiled by Four Brothers and One Devilish CEO-Chapter 259 On the mountain

Even though it was late winter, the night air still had a biting chill.

Their car finally stopped at the foot of a snow-covered mountain deep within the woods. After pulling off his prosthetic skin mask, Karl stepped out with Keith, and the two began their trek uphill.

The snow was thick enough to swallow their legs up to the knees. With every heavy step, the crunching beneath their boots grew louder, more muffled by the cold. It wasn’t long before they couldn’t feel anything below the knee.

"Boss, how about we come back tomorrow morning?" Keith asked, teeth chattering.

"Mr. Ford will see our sincerity by how far we’re willing to go," Karl replied with a half-smile. "Never thought I’d see the day where I had to grovel... for a guy, of all things."

Keith glanced at him, taken aback. The ruthless man he knew was doing all this... for an old rival? That hit different.

Suddenly, Karl paused, lifting a hand. "Stop. Be quiet."

Soft rustling noises reached their ears, like something stirring beneath the snow.

Karl’s eyes narrowed, a sharp, dangerous glint in them. "Flesh-eating worms."

He slid off his wristwatch and tucked it away. A glimmer sparkled from the red blemish on his hand—a silver-winged king worm took flight, its wings broader and glowing faintly under the dim light.

It circled above their heads, then darted off towards a slope mid-mountain, flapping in place.

The whispering sounds that had been coming for them changed direction, drawn to the silver-winged king worm instead.

"Should we torch them?" Keith asked.

Karl shot him a cold look. "Are you stupid? Burn Mr. Ford’s worms and you still think he’ll help us?"

"But you being away from the worm king for long..."

Clutching his chest, Karl brushed it off. "I’ll survive."

Keith grabbed his arm, helping him up the snowy path. At this pace, they’d probably make it by sunrise.

Just as the sun broke the horizon, Karl collapsed in front of a temple.

His brows and lashes were dusted in frost, lips turning bluish-purple. Keith bent down in panic, checking for breath—it was weak. "Boss? Hey, boss!"

He scrambled up and knocked hard on the red lacquered temple door. "Is anyone in there?"

Eventually, a girl in a thick cotton jacket opened the door, yawning with clear sleep still in her eyes. "Who are you?"

"We’re here to see Mr. Ford—"

Before he could finish, her expression changed and she went to shut the door. Keith quickly stuck his arm out, letting out a muffled grunt.

"Please, even if we don’t see Mr. Ford, at least help my boss. He’s dying."

The girl peeked outside and saw Karl lying there, stiff as a board.

She frowned. "Is he dead?"

"If you don’t help, he might be soon."

"What a hassle," she muttered, sniffing and stepping outside. She squatted beside Karl, and the sudden cold made her sneeze violently right in his face.

Karl flinched slightly, his brows twitching.

"This guy’s pretty good-looking," she said, standing up. "Okay, bring him in. But let me be clear—I’m not helping because he’s good-looking or anything."

"Yes ma’am, wouldn’t dream of thinking otherwise," Keith chuckled as he hoisted Karl onto his back and followed her in.

The girl gave them a curious look. "How’d you two even get up the mountain? It’s kinda wild you didn’t get eaten."

"Because my boss has nice features," Keith quipped.

She snorted. "You’re funny."

Leading them to a side room, she said, "Go in first—I’ll make him some ginger tea."Keith helped Karl onto the bed, rubbing his hands together. "Sooo... mind making a bowl for me too, kind-hearted little miss?"

The girl shot him a side-eye, then shrugged like she was doing him a huge favor. "Fine, but I’m telling you straight—twenty bucks a bowl."

"Cool, then I’ll take ten bowls."

Her eyes lit up like a slot machine hit jackpot. "Deal. Wait here."

Twenty minutes later, she came back with two steaming bowls in her hands. "Got eight more coming."

Handing over the soup, she stuck her hand out to Keith. "Two hundred bucks."

Keith pulled out five crisp bills without hesitation. "Here’s five hundred. By the way, any idea when Mr. Ford will be done with his isolation?"

The girl chuckled. "Could be four months, maybe six? But y’all broke through his sorcery worm—maybe he’s just too embarrassed to face ya."

Karl slowly opened his eyes, those narrow phoenix-shaped eyes dull from fatigue. "Help me... up."

She stepped in and propped him up carefully, her eyes sparkling as she checked him out. "Whoa... you’re seriously handsome. Might actually be the best-looking person I’ve ever seen."

Karl wasn’t into being that close to girls. He brushed her off. "You probably haven’t met many people."

She pouted at her rejected hand. "Well, counting you two, it’s five. And the other three? All guys."

Karl raised a brow. "You’ve been at the temple all this time? I’ve never seen you around."

"I hang out in the back hills. Only came out two months ago."

He looked her over, a little more curious now. "You’re that... medicine girl?"

She grinned wide, rolling up her sleeve to show veins popping under her skin. "Yup! That’s me. My blood? Heals crazy poisons and bugs."

"Even heart-linking sorcery worms?"

She opened her mouth to reply, but someone’s deep voice boomed from outside the door. "Luna, who are you chatting with?"

"Master!" She bounced out like a happy puppy and guided an elderly man into the room.

"Master, I missed you so much! These are the cuties I found out in the cold." She pointed over her shoulder. "The less cute one gave me five hundred bucks for ginger soup. Say, was that a good deal?"

The old man tapped her forehead with a crooked finger. "Silly girl, one day someone’ll scam you blind and you’ll still help them count their money."

Luna poutily rubbed her forehead. "But he’s cute... Doesn’t look like a bad guy."

The old man looked at Karl and broke into a smile. "Oh, sweetheart, this one’s got ’trouble’ written all over his face."

Karl stepped off the bed and dropped to his knees. "Mr. Ford, I’m sorry."

The old man didn’t let up. "You should be. You finished the Sorcery King worm but bailed on your promise. You think I’m not pissed?"

Karl kept his head bowed. "You have every right, sir. I broke the pact. I only hope you’ll give me a chance to make things right."

The old man eased into a chair, voice calm now. "If you’re sincere this time, I’ll help you out."

Karl glanced briefly at Luna, her sweet face lit up, dimples popping by her smile. He kept a poker face. "I’m in."

"And if you back out on her?" the old man asked sharply.

Karl shook his head. "Once I set my heart on someone, I don’t betray them."

Mr. Ford let out a deep breath. "Then plan to stay here six months."

Karl frowned. "Sir, my friend only has three and a half months max. She’s got that heart-linking worm."

The old man laughed loud. "Your friend? You really gonna risk it all for a love rival? Gotta say, you must really love that woman."

Karl edged closer, still on his knees. "Sir... she’s pregnant."

The old man raised a hand. "Then stay the full three and a half months. Marry Luna after that, and I’ll let you go save your love rival."