Patricia''s voice was subdued as she slightly bit her lip, recalling the harrowing events.


    "We had already arranged for Er and Mrs. Riddle to escape first. But after sending Mrs. Riddle off,


    Er returned to the parking lot. Even though he isn''t skilled inbat, he didn''t hold US back..."


    Patricia paused, the memory of Er''s selfless bravery warming her heart.


    She had to admit that if Er hadn''t returned, she might not have been able to hold on until Charlie


    arrived with backup.


    Nicole nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation even though Patricia hadn''t detailed


    everything explicitly. She could imagine the dire circumstances they must have faced.


    "What about Charlie?" Nicole asked, piecing together that Charlie must have arrived in time to assist


    them, which is why they were able to escape.


    "I don''t know," Patricia shook her head. "He told Eliar and me to go ahead. Seeing Er in bad shape,


    staying would have only hindered their efforts, so we left."


    Staying would have meant Charlie splitting his focus to protect them, which wouldn''t have been


    advantageous. Hence, she decided to take Er and leave first, hoping this would allow Charlie to


    concentrate on dealing with Everett.


    "Given your skills, managing to hold off until Charlie''s arrival suggests their forces weren''t invincible. So


    why hasn''t Charlie returned? Could he have encountered something else?" Nicole spected.


    Patricia pondered. Herplexion turned pale as she thought aloud," Could it be... Aqu has shown


    up?"


    The only one she could think of who might stop Charlie was Aqu.


    "It''s a possibility we cannot dismiss," Nicole said, her expression growing more serious.


    "I need to go check," Patricia said, feeling restless at the mention of Aqu, finding it impossible to stay


    put.


    As Patricia attempted to get up, Nicole firmly held her back, saying, "Going now won''t change


    anything."


    Whether Aqu appeared or something happened to Charlie, Nicole felt it was toote for Patricia to


    intervene; she might not even catch a glimpse of them. Patricia had barely escaped; her priority should


    be to rest and recover.


    N?velDrama.Org content.


    "Ms. Riddle, I must go," Patricia insisted, her eyes reddening with urgency, regretting leaving Charlie


    behind. She thought she should have let Er go alone and stayed to assist Charlie.


    "I''ll have Zane send people to look for him. Right now, you need to rest here, " Nicolemanded


    firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.


    After a moment of internal struggle, Patricia reluctantly agreed, "Okay."


    Nicole looked thoughtful. Charlie''s absence didn''t necessarily mean trouble; perhaps, after making sure


    Patricia and Er were safe, he had found a way to get out of the situation.


    She considered that if Charlie had fallen into Everett''s hands, Everett would likely have already made


    contact. ''But why hasn''t Charlie reached out to us? Could there be something preventing him?’


    "Patricia, how are you?" The quiet ward was suddenly disturbed by the sound of the door opening,


    followed by Er being wheeled in by Emery.


    "Why aren''t you resting in your room?" Nicole frowned.


    Er, more severely injured than Patricia, insisted on checking on her.


    "He insisted on seeing Patricia," Lulu said, her tone conveying helplessness.


    As they spoke, Ell ar had already approached the bedside, his voice filled with concern as he asked


    Patricia, "Are you okay?"


    "I''m fine, you should go and rest. Your injuries are worse than mine," Patricia urged Er, relieved to


    see his wounds were treated, emphasizing that he needed to rest now.


    Er rxed and smiled, saying, "I''m all right."


    Patricia''s eyes welled up seeing his carefree grin; it was this very person, fiercely determined to protect


    her, that deeply touched her heart.