He said harshly, "Drop this trick. The mountain's crowded, and I have no interest in you."

Raegan had opened her mouth to express gratitude, but his words stopped her cold.

Her complexion lost its color.

Nearby, a group of climbers cast meaningful looks at Raegan, mistaking her for someone craving for a one-night stand.

Disturbed by their stares, Raegan shot Mitchel a glare, turned around, and ascended silently.

She soon noticed the same group of men taking a break ahead. Their gazes were unsettling.

Opting to wait for Bryce, Raegan stopped.

However, those men approached Raegan as she halted.

A sudden anxiety gripped Raegan when one taunted, “That dashing man just rejected you. Maybe you'll prefer my company. We'll enjoy ourselves. What do you say?"

Another man chimed in, "Don't think about having this lovely lady all to yourself."

They were not only flirting with her but even attempted to take advantage of her.

With a face etched in caution, Raegan retrieved her walkie-talkie, a gift from Bryce, and called out, "Bryce, where are you now?"

Silence answered. The battery was dying, and those men had noticed.

One quipped, "No fear, we're decent folks. We can negotiate a price."

Anger whitened Raegan's face, and her resentment toward Mitchel deepened.

His words had painted her wrongly in these men's eyes.

Gripping the pepper spray in her backpack, Raegan asserted, “Move aside. I need to find my partner."

One of the men intercepted her and mocked, "You little liar. Your partner deserted you just now."

Raegan's demeanor hardened.

“Do you wish to verify my honesty?"