Also, Hubery wasn''t exactly a fan of fish!


    He found picking out bones a tedious affair, yet whenever Evadne indulged in a fish dish, he''d meticulously, with utmost patience, debone it for her, leaving not a single spine behind.


    That was Hubery.


    Indeed, it was!


    "Hubery! It''s me, Evadne. Don''t you recognize me? Hubery!" Tears brimming in her eyes, Evadne called out repeatedly, her voice a blend of hope and despair, trying to awaken his lost memories.


    "Ms. Evadne, you''ve mistaken me for someone else."


    Hans replied indifferently, even annoyed by themotion, "I''m an orphan, alone in this world, without any siblings.


    Mr. Chambers, the vast sea often ys tricks on the mind. Perhaps it''s time to have Ms. Evadne''s head examined."


    ...


    Evadne was forcibly taken back to her room by Avery''s men.


    In the dining hall, two men stood at odds, their presences starkly contrasting-


    Hans was heartily enjoying his meal, his appetite robust, a stark contrast to Avery across him, who looked pale and grim, as if belonging to a different realm.


    "How long do you n to stay here?"


    "Until your wedding goes off without a hitch," Hans replied, having finished his meal. He straightened up, wiped his mouth with a napkin, a fleeting glimpse of his noble bearing shining through, "If you manage to marry Ms. Evadne smoothly, I''ll leave this ce."


    Avery''s eyes darkened, "And if we can''t?"


    Hans remained silent for a moment, took a slow sip of water, and then said, "You''ll take my fiancée away from me, won''t you? To Sir?"


    Avery''s broad shoulders trembled slightly under his suit, a sign of his restrained anger.


    "If you truly love Ms. Evadne as you im, that might be the only right decision."


    With that, Hans stood up abruptly, "If you and Ms. Evadne sessfully marry, disregard myst remark. Sir will send his blessings your way."


    He turned and left with a dignified grace, the remnants of his once pilot''s poise still evident in his proud stance.


    Avery was left in shock, understanding the full picture.


    Sir''s mastery over human nature was unparalleled.


    He had sent Hans all this way, not just as a backup n but to stabilize Evadne''s emotions as well.


    With this "Hubery" by her side, would she even think of running away?


    For five whole days, Thaddeus and the men of the Ashbourne family turned Helgen inside out its inds, its seas, its urban areas, they left no stone unturned.


    Bet Waverley, too, arrived with reinforcements at breakneck speed, patrolling the inds with Thaddeus and Cassius during the day, conducting a thorough search.


    As night fell, visibility dropped to zero, making the search not only difficult but dangerous, with the potential threat of wild animals lurking.


    Yet, Thaddeus remained undeterred, tirelessly searching for Evadne.


    Time was of the essence.


    The thought of Evadne being held captive by Avery fueled his resolve, preventing him from pausing for even a moment.


    Aaron and Bet were at their limits, yet he persisted.


    They feared that before they could find Evadne, Thaddeus''s health would fail him.


    On the sixth day, everyone, including Thaddeus, was utterly exhausted.


    "This method isn''t sustainable. Even a year might not be enough! We''re severely understaffed for a nationwide search!" Bet mmed his fist on the map spread out on the table, frustration and desperation evident in his eyes.


    After days of continuous effort, even Aaron, a hardened detective, sumbed to


    a fever, relying on medication to keep going.


    They were too fatigued, the search area too vast, and they desperately needed more support.


    But here in Helgen, far from home, they faced multiple constraints. Even Darcy, as the president, needed royal approval to deploy military resources.


    At their wits'' end, Debby, apanied by a delicate, familiar-looking girl, hurried into the room, offering a glimmer of hope amidst despair.