Chapter 258
“Has anyone found Theodore yet? What the hell am I paying all of you for p>
“What are you all doing just standing there? Get in the water and find him!” Michael roared at the rescue workers on the scene before pointing at the massive tour bus half-submerged in the river.
“And what about the driver of that bus? How could he have possibly sent an oncoming car flying off the road like that?” he demanded. “Where is he? I need to know if he was drunk. This was practically murder p>
Harold quickly stepped in to intercept him. “Michael, the driver had a sudden heart attack. He was dead before the crash p>
The words died in Michael’s throat. “Then Theodore… it was just a senseless tragedy. But why weren’t you with him p>
Harold glanced nervously at Penelope before lowering his voice. “Mr. Stapleton was in a hurry to get back to Orenth. He asked me to stay behind and handle the clean- up while he drove back alone p>
Michael’s brow furrowed. “He was rushing back to prepare for the wedding p>
“Yes p>
“So, Penelope, he was doing it for you p>
Before Michael could finish, Penelope had already walked away to speak with the captain of the search and rescue team.
Michael pressed his lips together, muttering under his breath, “She’s not even sad, I bet. At most, she’s just disappointed about losing a business partner p>
Penelope informed the captain that she had hired several private rescue teams and organized a search party with locals from the nearby town. In a situation like this, the more hands on deck, the better.
In return, the captain gave her the latest update, and his grim expression made it clear that the situation was not optimistic.
As they were talking, a diver surfaced, and the crew below pulled a body from the water.
“We’ve got a male, looks to be in his thirties. He drowned p>
Hearing this, Penelope’s heart hammered against her ribs, and she scrambled after the rescue captain to get a closer look.
From a distance, she could see it was a man in a business suit. His build was similar, his haircut was similar p>
Penelope broke into a run, her eyes fixed on the body. But as she got close enough to see the man’s face, her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground.
It wasn’t him. It wasn’t Theodore.
But as her gaze swept over the raging river and the mangled wreckage of the two vehicles, a dark tide of horrific possibilities flooded her mind. The thoughts left her trembling, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
Just then, her phone rang. It was Mr. Johnson.
The first time, she didn’t have the courage to answer.
But he immediately called back.
“Dad, I’m out right now. Is everything okay p>
Mr. Johnson let out a sigh of relief when he heard her voice. “I’ve
this terrible feeling all morningefoet
cant seem to shake it p>
“Did you forget to take your medication again p>
and!
“No, no, I took it. I wouldn’t dare forget after the lecture you gave me p>
A few days ago, her father had experienced a sudden chest pain. A trip to the doctor revealed a heart condition, made worse by the fact that he often forgot to take his pills. She had lost her temper with him and the old man had sworn he would never miss a dose again.
“Good. As long as you’ve taken it, you’ll be fine. I’m a little busy right now p>
“Why can’t I get ahold of Theodore? Do you know where he is?” he asked suddenly.
Penelope’s hand, clutching the phone, trembled. “He… he’s with me. His phone must be in the car, so he didn’t hear it p>
“He’s there? Let me talk to him p>
“He’s busy!” Penelope took a deep, shaky breath. “Do you want me to interrupt him p>
“No, no, that’s alright. He doesn’t like me bothering him when he’s working p>
“I’ll bring him home as soon as he’s finished p>
“Okay, wonderful. I’ll wait for you both to come home p>
The moment her father finished speaking, Penelope hung up and gasped for air.
The rescue team announced there were no signs of life in the immediate area; they were shifting the main search efforts downstream.
Penelope forced herself to stand, her focus returning. Just as her private rescue teams arrived, she relayed all the information she had, determined to streamline their efforts, devise a plan, and get them into the water as quickly as possible.