Chapter 56
**Terms Were Unspoken by Mark Twain** **Chapter 56: Passenger Manifest I p>
The report in Sterling’s hands felt like a heavy weight pressing down on his chest, causing his entire body to tense up as if he were bracing for an impending storm. After scanning the document one last time, he let out a slow, shuddering breath and turned his gaze toward the window, watching the world outside blur into a haze.
Fate certainly had a twisted sense of humor, didn’t it?
“Sir, are you… going to tell your daughter?” Roland ventured, his voice tentative, as if he were stepping on fragile glass.
Sterling’s silence hung in the air, thick and suffocating. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he swallowed hard, his throat dry. “I have to tell her. I want to be completely honest with her. From that point, we will decide how to move forward p>
“Very well, Sir,” Roland replied, a hint of reluctance in his tone. “And what about Victor? What course of action should I take p>
With a steely resolve, Sterling’s eyes narrowed, his thoughts darkening like a storm cloud. “We need to officially reopen the kidnapping case. Get in touch with the chief of police. And while we’re at it, send someone to rattle Victor’s cage a little p>
Sterling Vander was a man who adhered to the law, yet he felt a simmering rage within him that no legal punishment could ever quench. The pain his daughter had endured at Victor’s hands was something that could not be rectified by mere incarceration.
Victor needed to pay a price far greater than what a prison cell could offer.
“I’ll follow your orders, Sir, but I must inform you—Mr. Kline has been attracting attention in prison,” Roland said cautiously, his brow furrowing. “He’s been involved in several altercations, all of which he insists he didn’t start. They found contraband
in his cell, and he’s been placed in solitary confinement more than once p>
“It seems unlikely that this is mere coincidence, Sir. Our contacts suspect that someone is ensuring that prison is just the beginning of Victor’s troubles,” Roland continued, his voice low, as if afraid of being overheard.
“Nathaniel,” Sterling muttered under his breath, his fingers instinctively massaging his jaw in thought. “Who else could harbor such hatred for Victor, at least as much as I do in this moment p>
“I suppose so, Sir, but there’s no concrete evidence,” Roland replied, his voice careful. “If it is Nathaniel, then I suppose you have yet another reason to be grateful to him… once again p>
‘Again p>
The word hung in the air like a bitter aftertaste, and Sterling shot a glare at his assistant, a mixture of frustration and understanding flashing in his eyes.
“I-I—” Roland stammered, his voice trembling slightly. “I apologize, Sir. That was not my intention p>
Yet, deep down, Sterling knew Roland was right. Nathaniel’s actions had inadvertently led him to uncover the truth about Serena, and that realization was a double-edged sword.
The following day, Sterling sat down with Serena, the weight of the world resting heavily on his shoulders as he prepared to reveal the truth about Nathaniel Thorne and their unexpected encounter fifteen years prior.
The shock that washed over Serena’s face was palpable, a mixture of disbelief and confusion.
Earlier that same day, in the bustling heart of Velmon City, Nathaniel was burning the midnight oil in his office, the soft glow of his computer screen illuminating his weary features The television in the corner flickered to life, the news anchor’s voice cutting through the silence like a knife.
“BREAKING NEWS: EASTWIND AIR OFFICIALLY ENDS SEARCH FOR FLIGHT 1061 p>
Nathaniel’s hand froze mid-signature, the pen hovering above the paper as his heart raced. His eyes widened in disbelief, riveted to the screen as the words sank in.
“Authorities have confirmed that, despite extensive multinational efforts, no bodies have been recovered. Search teams
concentrated their efforts on avast stretch of ocean, encompassing the Sea and the
Crescent Ridge Compel
adjacent Arclight Basin, an area notorious for its treacherous underwater geography p>
The news segment shifted to a representative from Eastwind Air, his expression somber. “With heavy hearts, we announce that the search for survivors and remains has officially concluded. All passengers and crew aboard Eastwind Air Flight 1061 are now presumed deceased p>
A tightness gripped Nathaniel’s jaw, his muscles coiling with tension. His blue-gray eyes darkened, reflecting the turmoil within him as he absorbed the devastating
news.
“Gavin,” he said, his voice strained as he rubbed his chest, attempting to quell the rising panic. “What does this mean? After utilizing my resources, they have the audacity to halt the search p>
“I—I’m not certain, Sir,” Gavin stuttered, panic evident in his eyes. “I-I will contact them p>
Nathaniel didn’t allow him to finish. He sprang from his chair, adjusting his dark suit with a sense of urgency. “We’re going to the airport. Now p>
As he drove, Nathaniel found it increasingly difficult to concentrate, his mind swirling with anger and frustration.
He felt like he was on the brink of losing everything once more.
The thought of never seeing Serena again loomed over him like a dark cloud, threatening to swallow him whole.
Upon arriving at Eastwind Air’s ticketing office, he stormed in, his voice rising above the din. “I demand to speak with your manager. Immediately p>
The office manager, sensing the gravity of the situation, led Nathaniel to a private
office, where the floodgates of his emotions finally burst open.
His
“How could you do this to me?” he shouted, his voice laced with raw emotion. “How could you just searching for my wife and all innocent people on that flight? composure crumbled, revealing a face twisted with bitterness and despair. “Do you comprehend how many families, like mine, have been anxiously awaiting news p>