"The news reports said the earthquake wasn''t too strong, only the central area was seriously affected. There were some copses."


    L looked up at Cedric, catching the key detail. "You said the rescue team has already been sent?"


    Then, without waiting for his answer, she grabbed her coat, clutched her phone, and strode toward the door.


    She was going to Portmere.


    Cedric immediately stepped in front of her. "There could be aftershocks, it''s still dangerous over there!"


    "I don''t care. I need to see Kieran with my own eyes to know he''s okay."


    Cedric knew there was no stopping her. The moment she stepped out, he hurriedly called Amelia.


    The fastest way to Portmere was by ne, then switching to a high-speed train.


    At this hour, Amelia might still have time to intercept her.


    But before L even reached the lobby, her phone rang. It was E Bat.


    Since Matthew''s ident on a variety show a while back, L had specifically asked Cedric to assign him a trainee assistant.


    She answered the call while making her way to the parking garage.


    E''s voice was urgent. "Ms. Hart, Matthew got injured during a show today-he fell."


    L''s steps faltered. "What happened? How bad is it? What did the doctors say?" "He just got to the hospital. They''re still running tests... but his thigh was pierced by a steel rod. The doctors said he''s lost a lot of blood, it''s serious."


    E''s voice trembled. "The production team came with us, but I''m scared. Can youe?"


    L''s grip tightened around her phone. Both situations were life-threatening.


    Before she could answer, E sniffled and asked again, "Ms. Hart, can you hear me? Will youe?"


    L hesitated for a moment, then responded hoarsely, "Okay. Wait for me."


    At the same time, she quickly called Ethan and Michael.


    By the time she arrived at the hospital, Matthew was still in the emergency room.


    A leg injury shouldn''t be fatal, as long as the main artery isn''t damaged.


    She kept telling herself that, watching the clock as her flight time crept closer.


    E clutched the sleeve of her coat, silent tears streaming down her face. She wanted to sob out loud but didn''t dare to.


    It was her first time assisting on a shoot, and something this bad happened. Her career as a celebrity assistant was probably over before it even started.


    Ethan and Michael rushed in momentster. L wasted no time.


    "I have to leave for Portmere right now. You two stay here and keep things under control. Make sure the police investigate properly-if this was intentional, we''re not epting any settlements. I want them in jail."


    The staff members who hade with E shivered at the restrained anger in her voice.


    Ethan nodded. He had also heard


    194


    about the Portmere earthquawn.


    can handle things here on my Michael should go with you, you two look out for each other


    L hesitated, remembering what Cedric had said about possible aftershocks.


    She shook her head. "Just take care of Matthew''s situation. I can handle the rest."


    At the airport, Amelia had already arrived, but after searching the entire terminal, she couldn''t find L anywhere.


    The ne was about to take off, but L still hadn''t shown up.


    Without hesitating, Amelia sent Cedric a message, "The ne''s about to leave, but L never showed. Check if something happened on the way or if she took another flight."


    As the announcement repeated over the speaker, Amelia hesitated for a brief moment, then boarded the ne.


    By the time Amelia reached Portmere, switching from flights to trains to cars, the first wave of news reports had already been released.


    The area where Kieran had gone was part of thendslide zone. There was still no word on him, Cole, or Faith.