L knew she wouldn''t make the flight in time, so she switched to the high-speed train. She arrived in Portmere over an hourter than Amelia.
Along the way, Amelia had sent her multiple messages. L had nned to reply as soon as she got on the train, but before she could, her phone died.
After getting off at the station, she hailed a taxi and asked the driver for a charger. Once her phone powered back on, she texted Amelia.
But by then, Amelia had already reached the disaster zone, where the signal was unstable. She never got the message.
Amelia finally found Kieran at a temporary rescue center. He and Cole lookedpletely wrecked.
Their suits were filthy and torn. Their coats had been discarded somewhere, and their light-colored dress shirt was stained all over.
When Cole saw Amelia, he looked surprised. "Ms. Joyce? What are you doing here?"
Amelia frowned. "It''s just the two of you?"
Cole''s expression darkened. "Ms. Moore was injured. A rock fell, and she threw herself in front of Mr. Morgan to shield him. She just came out of surgery, we''re waiting until she''s stable enough to transfer to a hospital."
Amelia''s brows knitted together. "Have you seen L?"
Cole looked confused. "Madam? She''s here?"
Nearby, Kieran who had been standing with a neutral expression-snapped his head toward them, frowning.
"Cedric said she came," Amelia said, also frowning. "I thought she flew here, but I never ran into her. She must''ve taken the train. Based on the timing, she should be here by now."
...
Meanwhile, L still hadn''t received any updates. She had tried calling both Kieran and Cole, but neither of their phones could be reached.
Noticing her anxious expression, the taxi driver couldn''t help but ask, "Miss, do you have someone in the disaster area?"
"My husband is there."
The driver nodded. "But it''s dangerous right now. Even if you go, there''s not much you can do, you might even put yourself at risk."
L pressed her lips together. "I know, but I won''t be at peace until I see him myself."
Hearing her determination, the driver said nothing more and simply stepped on the gas, speeding toward the disaster area.
But due to aftershocks, sections of the road had copsed, and the car couldn''t go any farther.
L paid the fare, got out, and continued on foot.
She carefully avoided areas where loose rocks might fall, stumbling forward over the rough terrain.
The deeper she went, the more devastating the scene became.
"Help... help me..."
L''s steps faltered. The faint cry for help continued.
Nearby, a copsed buildingy in ruins, with rescue workers still searching for survivors.
Following the voice, she moved closer. When she pinpointed the source, she immediately shouted, "Over here! Someone''s still alive!"
The rescue team rushed over and began carefully clearing away the debris.
As the rubble was removed, a small hollow space beneath the wreckage became visible. Inside, a mother was trapped, curled protectively aroun her three-year-old daughter
"Don''t move. We have to be careful, any shift could cause another copse," one
of the rescuers warned.
The young mother''s voice was hoarse as she begged, "Save my child... please, take my child first."
"You''re injured, where are you hurt?
e''
Stay calm. The rescue team is here. We''re
going to get both of you out, L said gently, trying tofort her. ''
"I won''t make it... Please, kind people, save my child..."
The young mother''s eyes were barely open. She had lost too much blood wooden beam had pierced
through her chest-there was no saving her.
L had never been this close to death before. A crushing weight settled in her chest.
"How can we get them out?"
The rescue workers already knew the mother wouldn''t survive, even if they pulled her from the rubble.
L saw it in their faces. "Get them out first. Whether she lives or not, that''s for the doctors to decide."
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