Holly grabbed Bryce's arms tightly. "Have you found him? Have you really found him?""We have. The rescue team I sent out found him on a deserted island.""Oh, thank God!" Holly was usually quiet, but now, she wanted to leap for joy.Then, she thought of something. Carefully, she asked, "Is he okay?"Bryce patted her head, looking at her gently. "He's fine. The rescue team will be bringing him over soon."He caressed her thin face and said, "You need to eat up later on, or you'll run out of breath when walking. You won't even have the energy to see him."Holly felt moved and pained at the same time. "It's been hard on you these few days.""It's fine. As long as we've found him," Bryce said lightly.The attendant brought them some food. This time, Holly ate a lot.When it was almost sunrise, the rescue team called Bryce.They said that they had brought Abelin ashore, and they were currently waiting for the ambulance to arrive. They wanted Bryce and Holly to take a look at him.
The medics carried Abelin into the ambulance.The moment the doors closed, he relaxed immediately.The doctor expertly treated his wounds.Abelin closed his eyes, his eyebrows furrowing. He put his arms on his abdomen, his face twisted in pain.He'd been keeping it together earlier. He didn't want Holly to worry, and he didn't want to let her see him in a vulnerable state.Men liked to act tough in front of the people they loved.A lot of his muscles had been torn. Since he'd been lost at sea for a few days without medical equipment, some of his wounds were already infected and were oozing with pus.His ribs were broken, and he was bleeding internally.Despite all that, he was alive.He was the only survivor so far.It would be easy to give up on living after drifting at sea for days, succumbing to fear, hunger, and exhaustion.However, the thought of Holly reignited his desire and will to live.It was just like 13 years ago when he was burned in the fire. His lungs were al
In that instant, Holly felt like she didn't know Merope at all.Merope seemed like a harsh, unkind, and irrational stranger.She was no longer the gentle, kind Aunt Trista that Holly remembered.Holly wanted to get up and walk away right then and there, but she resisted.She would leave after she was sure that Abelin was safe.She said lightly, "Abel saved my life. I'm grateful to him. Why would I harm him?"Merope smiled coldly and stood up. "I'm going to the washroom."Holly nodded.After Merope returned from the washroom, she was wearing a different expression on her face.She took Holly's hand and said kindly, "Holly, Abel has you on his mind all the time. Look, he came to Jardington to find you the moment he was decommissioned. Just answer his prayers, alright?"Come with us to Calria. You're a restorer with a name for yourself. It should be easy for you to migrate. You and Priscilla can leave this place and live with us."Holly was stunned.Merope's anger from before
Holly took the flasks from Bryce and pulled him aside to sit on a chair.She spoke with him for a while, then remembered that she had gotten food for Merope.She said to the bodyguards, "Give Mrs. Gabelman the food.""Very well, ma'am."The bodyguards handed the food over to Merope, saying, "It's mashed potatoes and chicken."Then, they pointed at the clothes. "These are clothes that Ms. Sinclair has picked out for Abelin."Bryce looked at the bags. She'd even bought socks for Abelin. His eyes dimmed.But his displeasure disappeared when he remembered the angry way that Holly had stood up for him against Merope.Merope said nothing, opening the packaging.The chicken was perfectly fried and crispy. The mashed potatoes glistened, covered in thick brown gravy.She frowned and said in slight disdain, "I don't eat these kinds of things."Holly suppressed her annoyance and said, "I asked you if you wanted anything, and you said you were okay with anything."Merope wasn't actuall
Holly ran her hands through Bryce's hair, sighing to herself. Boys would be boys. She understood that now.Bryce was mature and cold on the outside, but when he was alone with her, he was all mushy and soft.Bryce pinched her waist. "Don't get distracted. Say it to me."Holly smiled. "I love you. I love you. I… Mmph—"Bryce kissed her lips as he caressed her face.They had been tense for a long time. Now that they'd found Abelin, they relaxed considerably.If they hadn't found him, Holly might spend the rest of her life haunted by him.…Meanwhile, in the hospital, Abelin was wheeled out of the operating room.He was out of danger. They pushed him into his designated ward.After waking up from the anesthetic, he stared at the ceiling, saying nothing.Merope shoved the straw through the cup and fed him, but he didn't even move his lips.Merope sighed. "I've asked her to come to Calria with us, but she refused. She has her sights set on Bryce. "Just let her go. Don't come
Ten minutes later, Holly got up and said her goodbyes.When she walked out, she met someone familiar.He was about 70 years of age. He had a head of white hair and a thin figure. He was wearing plain clothes and shoes. His gaze was intense, and his eyes were bloodshot.It was Zorro.Holly smiled and greeted him, "Hello, Mr. Gabelman.""I heard that you found my son. I sent out rescue teams, and they searched for days but couldn't find him. I'm so incredibly grateful to you. I must return the favor by bringing you out for a meal."He wanted to treat Holly and Bryce to a meal.Holly agreed to it.They would meet at noon the next day in a fancy seafood restaurant.…The next day, Holly and Bryce went to the restaurant Zorro picked out.Zorro and Merope were already waiting there.A platter of food covered the table.Zorro was generous and welcoming. He talked to Holly and Bryce, refilling their wine.Everyone had been on edge for the past few days. Now that Abelin was rescue
Bryce and Holly rushed to the washroom at the speed of lightning.They saw Arthur dressed in a suit, his face twisted in agony. He clutched at his bleeding stomach, lying weakly against the wall.His suit was drenched from the waist down. His blood pooled on the floor. They were all over his pants, too.It looked like he hadn't been stabbed just once or twice.There was a golden hairpin on the ground. It had pearls and gems embedded in it.There was blood on the length of it.Henry was calling the ambulance frantically.His bodyguards were all in shock.Bryce interrogated them coldly, "Is this how you protect your boss?"They looked uncomfortable. "Mr. Gabelman Senior told us to leave because he wanted to talk to that woman in private. We didn't think that this would happen."Bryce glared at Arthur and smiled coldly. "Telling them to leave? Did you think you'd be able to make things up with her? And what did that get you?"Arthur was still clutching at his stomach. Sweat bea
Bryce was about to tell the truth when he stopped himself. "It's Abelin Gabelman, Zorro Gabelman's son."That sounded like someone unimportant. Arthur closed his eyes and said nothing more.He was sent to the emergency care unit to have his wounds treated.He was stabbed thrice in the abdomen. They were about two to three inches deep. It was clear that Merope really hated Arthur.It was fortunate that she hadn't punctured any vital organs and that the wounds weren't that thick. He could be stitched back together.After the surgery was done, Arthur was wheeled into the hospital ward.They put him on an IV drip.The anesthetic was slowly wearing off. It began to hurt uncontrollably.Arthur lay in bed, his face contorted in pain.Bryce stood next to him, his phone in his hands. "Do you want to file a police report?"Arthur shook his head slightly. "Forget it."Bryce raised his eyes mockingly. "And what could be the reason for your generosity?"Arthur said through gritted tee