Chapter 57
Ella didn’t dare rest. As soon as the police mentioned any news, she would travel far and wide, no matter if the one they had found was Jaden
Over the past two days, Ella had ventured into remote mountains where the roads were impassable by car, forcing her to hike
After five grueling hours, with her heels blistered and suffering a fall, she finally reached the top, only to discover that the kidnapped person wasn’t Jaden
Disappointment etched on her face. El quickly pulled herself together and moved on to the next possible location:
Sometimes the police provided clues. Other times, her people found leads. In the past two days, Eila had been running tirelessly, barely getting any sleep.
Jenny anel Finn stayed by her side, while Hazel wanted to help but couldn’t due to her age and frailty.
Ella sat in the car, sipping some hot water and nibbling on a piece of bread. Despite not having eaten much all day, she felt full after just a few bites. having lost her appetite entirely
She had no idea where Jaden was. Was he seared? Hungry? Was anyone hurting him? Just thinking about this made her eyes well up with tears. Jenny watched Ella, sighing inwardly, jenny wondered if this really the kind of feelings one had for a stray cat or dog.
Finally, Finn found a lead, Jaden might have been taken aboard a muggling ship. The ship was filled with undocumented individuals, heading across the sea to some dangerous region. It was known for organ trafficking, illegal arms, and drugs
Finn advised agains going, saying they might not make it back.
“It’s extremely dangerous, and we can’t be sure if he’s even there be said.
Jenny furrowed her brows in agreement.
Ella, pale–faced, remained silent; recalling the first time she met Jaden and his clear, innocent eyes. He had followed her because of some food. He waited for her to eat and stayed by her side.
Whenever there was danger, he was always the first to arrive. When Harry bullied her, Jaden had nearly gone mad trying to fight him off,
How could she lose someone like hunt
“I need to make a call,” Ella said, stepping away from the others to call her grandfather
la!” Devin answered. For a long moment. Ella couldn’t speak, worrying Devin.
“Ella!
“Grandpa…” Firully finding her voice, la broke down, sobbing.
“Grandpa, what do I do? I lost Jaden. I promised to take care of him for life, but it hasn’t been long, and I’ve lost him. He was taken by traffickers while trying to buy me a gift. His mind isn’t right, and he doesn’t know how to protect himself or survive in this world”
“Child, what do you want to tell me!” Devin asked.
“He might be on a smuggling ship, and it is very dangerous. I might not come back. Grandpa, I don’t know what to do
Hearing this, Devin sighed deeply. “You’re as stubborn as your father, not suitable to be a business woman but a gentlewoman. Once you set your mind on something, it’s hard to change. If you don’t go and something happens to him, you’ll live with that guilt forever. You wouldn’t be happy, and all I want is for my children and grandchildren to be healthy and happy Co. I still have some influence left. Go protect who you want to protect, and I’ll find a way to protect you.”
“Thank you, Grandpa. I promise I won’t cause trouble. As soon as I find him, I’ll come back Ella said.
Devin said, “Go on, child, I’ll be waiting for you to come back for dinner, no matter how late it will be:
Hanging up, Ella felt a newfound resolve. “I’ve decided. I’m going. You two thould head back.”
“I’m coming with you, Jenny said without hesitation.
Rationally, it wasn’t worth risking their lives for Jaden, but Jenny couldn’t let her best friend go alone. If something happened to Ella, Jenny would never forgive herself.
“No, it’s too dangerous,” Ella said.
“If you’re going so am I. No more arguments Jenny insisted.
Finn, after a moment of hesitation, nodded. “I can’t let two women go alone. I’ll come with you. We’re not here to cause trouble, so we should be
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Chapter 57
able to leave safely. They won’t want any extra problems.”
With everyone in agreement, they quickly made their way to the coast. Seeing the endless ocean, Ella felt weak–kneed. Jenny hurried to support her.
“Are you alright? Still scared of water after all these years? Jenny asked.
“I’m fine,” Ella said, gritting her teeth.
They boarded a boat, switched to a private yacht after passing customs, and hired locals to sail them out of territorial waters
Sitting in the cabin, Ella felt the boat’s movements and heard the waves outside, her face growing increasingly pale. Closing her eyes brought back the memories of that fateful day.
The brakes had failed, sending the car plunging through the guardrail into the sea
Salty water rushed in through the windows, suffocating her. Ella felt her parents struggling to push her out of the window. They prayed for help before they drowned.
The nearest rescue team m and fishermen were all mobilized.
“Save our daughter Ella’s parents shouted.
The two of them tried their best to lift Flls up, but because they had been suffocating in the water for too long, they had already died when they were fished up.
Since then, Ella had a strong fear of water.
Ella had once been a strong swimmer, but she suddenness of the accident overwhelmed her, and she passed out from the water pressure,
For a long time, she couldn’t accept their deaths, avoiding even showers. Though she eventually overcame her fear, she never dared swim or go Bear open waller
er again.
The last time she had jumped into the artificial lake to save Jaden, her limbs had frozen, paralyzed by fear, leaving her to sink helplessly. Now, she was out at sea, tormented by memories of her parents‘ agic end.
Meanwhile, the boat gradually closed in on the smuggling ship. Jaden was indeed aboard, having found his mother’s keepsake. It was being sold illegally, to be smuggled to a foreign country
Upott learning he was the president of the Denison Group, the sellers handed it over without question.
Jaden was planning to disembark midway, but Hank Turried over.
“.. I think I saw Ms. Willow,” Hank sid
Jaden’s heart skipped a beat. “Are you mistaken?”
“No, it really looked like her. She must have come to find you,” Hank said, surprised that such a sheltered lady would be in a place like this. obviously only for Jaden.
Hank couldn’t help but look at Jaden curiously, but the later seemed unhappy
Jaden’s expression darkened as he said, “Tell her that Jaden is already dead. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other.”
He intended to fake Jaden’s death and continue his work under his other identity, Marcus White. It would be more convenient and, though he no longer needed to hide, he didn’t want Ella to know.
“Yes, sir. Hank said.
When Ella boarded the cargo ship, Jenny had to support her. An official came to meet them
“A fool? Yes, we had a fool, but he e died of a virus a couple of days ago,” the man said.
“Died! What about his body?” Ella asked.
“Tossed into the sea. Here, life is cheap, the man said.
“Was this what he looked like Ella clung to a final shred of hope, showing the man a photo.
The official glanced at it and nodded repeatedly. “Yes, that’s him.”
Ella’s mind went black, and the fainted on the spot.
11:32 AM
Chapter 57
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