Chapter 3

"Hello, is this the technical director for deep-sea rescue?"

The voice on the other end was steady and arrogant.

Ten years later, I still remembered that voice.

"It's me. Go ahead."

My voice wasn't what it used to be. Ten years of deep-sea operations—the equipment and environment had caused irreversible damage.

"Good. I'm Thomas from Ocean Corporation. I assume you've reviewed the situation."

He paused.

"Name your price."

"I'm not taking this job."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, then he laughed.

"Didn't catch that? I said name your price. Any price."

"I said I'm not taking it."

"Fifty million."

His voice held no hesitation, as if he'd just casually thrown out a number.

"Fifty million in cash. Half when you dive, half when you bring her up. That's a one-of-a-kind offer anywhere in the world."

I didn't respond.

Thinking I was considering it, he continued raising the stakes.

"Stock options work too. Point-five percent of Ocean Corporation. Annual dividends..."

"Mr. Thomas."

I cut him off.

"When I said I'm not taking it, I wasn't negotiating price."

The breathing on the other end grew heavier.

"Then tell me why."

"No particular reason. Refusing is my right."

"Your right?"

His voice suddenly turned cold.

"Do you understand the situation down there? Over a thousand meters deep, the hull is already deformed. That's a human life!"

"I know."

"You know? And you're just refusing me outright?"

His speech quickened.

"You're the only person here who can dive to that depth. You won't even consider it... You realize this is the same as letting someone die, right?"

My hand gripped the phone tighter.

"Letting someone die... Mr. Thomas, hearing those words come out of your mouth is quite interesting."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing."

I replied calmly.

"In any case, I can't take this job. You'll have to find someone else."

"There is no one else!"

He was practically shouting.

"I've already done my research. In these waters, you're the only one with the capability to descend immediately!"

"If you won't do the rescue, you at least owe me a reason!"

"Then there's nothing I can do."

"You..."

He took a deep breath, trying to suppress his rage.

"Listen carefully."

His voice was low, each word ground out through clenched teeth.

"I don't care about your reasons or your attitude. I'm giving you two hours to think it over."

"After two hours, if this is still your answer... you and your operation won't be working in this industry anymore."

I closed my eyes and gripped the phone tighter.

"Mr. Thomas, save your time for yourself. If you don't hurry up and consider other methods, forget about recovering your daughter—you might not even be able to recover her body."

"You..."

"Good luck."

I hung up.

Julian poked his head in from the doorway, looking at my expression but hesitating to speak.

"Samuel... that Thomas... did he threaten you?"

I shoved my phone back in my pocket and bent down to continue maintaining the equipment.

"He can't threaten me."

"But he..."

Julian hesitated.

"He said he'd blacklist the operation."

"He can say whatever he wants. I don't owe him anything."

Julian didn't ask again, but I saw the complicated expression on his face as he turned to leave.

"Samuel, what kind of history do you have with that man?"

I tightened the last valve, stood up, and wiped my hands.

"He owes me a life."