<h4>Chapter 402: The Long Wait</h4>


    "E, I just heard from John that Eric is in trouble over there. Is it true?" James’s anxious tone carried over the phone, but it only filled E with disdain. Where had this urgency been before? Whenever Eric faced danger in the past, James never did anything. His indifference had been especially ring in critical moments.


    "Yes, it’s true," E admitted. There was no point in hiding it anymore—John had already told James everything.


    James was both shocked and panicked. "Did you report it to the authorities? He’s up against a powerful family—how could he be so reckless?"


    E let out a bitterugh. "Uncle, do you think it’s easy for Eric to make a ce for himself abroad? Building a life in Country W inevitably means stepping on some big toes. If you have any influence, I hope you’ll use it now to help him—it’s the least you can do to make up for the past."


    James paused, his voice tinged with sadness. "I understand. I won’t bother you further."


    E gripped the phone tightly, her palm damp with sweat. Despite the cold weather, she felt an oppressive heat overwhelming her.


    What could she do?


    Would John and the others be able to find Eric and rescue him?


    Her throat burned as if it were on fire. Pouring herself a ss of water, she gulped it down, but the unease remained.


    She felt utterly exhausted and overwhelmed. Shey down on the bed, but the heavy weight of fatigue seemed to seep into her bones, her eyelids growing heavier by the second.


    Then Lucas’s words echoed in her mind, jolting her upright with a shiver.


    But what could she do?


    For the first time, E felt helpless and insignificant.


    She took a deep breath and got up again, pacing the room in frustration as time ticked by, each second an agonizing eternity.


    ...


    Meanwhile, John arrived at Nelson Group’s headquarters in Country W, where thepany’s top executives had gathered in the conference room.


    Both John and Michael, Eric’s trusted aides, were treated like family by Eric. He had always been there for them in times of trouble, and now it was their turn to act.


    "What’s the current situation?" John asked.


    "Mr. John, our operatives have pinpointed the boss’s location," someone reported, standing to give the update. "He’s confirmed to be in one of the Miller family’s estates. However, our scouts on the ground haven’t been able to locate the entrance to the underground chamber where he’s likely being held."


    John’s face darkened, as did everyone else’s.


    The Miller family. As expected.


    While Country W had many noble families, most avoided such underhanded tactics. The Millers, however, had repeatedly crossed the line with Nelson Group, testing their patience time and again.


    "No entrance means calling the authorities is pointless," Michael said, his voice cold and sharp. His piercing gazended on the operative. "Have our people keep digging. That entrance might be hidden in one of the main estate rooms, somewhere only high-ranking members would know about."


    "Yes, we’ll proceed carefully," the operative replied.


    "So, what now? Are we just supposed to wait?" John asked, his frustration mounting. After six years of establishing a foothold in Country W and the meteoric rise of Nelson Group’s branch here, they had naturally drawn envy and hostility from rival forces.


    Michael nodded grimly. "What are we supposed to do? File a report iming the Miller family has our boss hidden? Without proof or even an entrance location, that’s suicide."


    The room grew tense, everyone’s expressions grim.


    John thought for a moment. "I’ll call David. His family has significant influence here, and he and Eric are practically brothers. If anyone can help, it’s him."


    Michael and the others didn’t object.


    John quickly dialed David’s number. When David answered, his smooth voice carried a hint of mockery.


    "Well, well. The Miller family actually dared to mess with our boss? This is interesting," David said, letting out a coldugh.


    John hesitated, unsure how to interpret David’s tone. "David, what does that mean?" he asked, confused by his reaction.


    "David, so what do you think we should do? We’ve picked up the boss’s signal—there’s no way we can just sit around like this, right?"


    John was so anxious that he was practically hopping up and down, while David sat there grinning like it was no big deal.


    "Rx. Let’s wait and see how things unfold. You all stay put. Trust me—Eric wille back!"


    With that, David hung up the phone.


    John’s face turned pale. "How can David be so unreliable at a time like this? Doesn’t he know how tough the Miller family is to deal with?"


    Michael frowned. "David might seem unreliable, but his predictions are always spot on. Let’s give it a little more time."


    The group had no choice but to wait.


    That "little more time" stretched into several days.


    E had received a call from John, who told her Eric was somewhere in arge Miller family estate. However, no one could pinpoint exactly where he was being held. The frustration had broken her out in stress-induced blemishes.


    Three days. For three whole days, she hadn’t been able to eat or sleep. Every nerve in her body was stretched taut, like an overstrung bow that felt it might snap at any moment.


    What should she do? Would they hurt Eric? And Mia—what about her?


    E clutched her phone tightly, herposure finally cracking. She reached out to touch the space beside her on the bed. It was cold, the sheets icy and lifeless.


    She stared at the ceiling, torn and helpless.


    Should she... ask Lucas for help?


    But asking him meant agreeing to marry Luke!


    She couldn’t stand the thought.


    But Eric’s safety came first, didn’t it?


    Every second of the past three days and nights, E had prayed for Eric to miraculously appear before her. But he hadn’t. There was no miracle.


    Her heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vice. Breathing grew harder and harder, and it was as if all her strength had drained away. She didn’t even have the energy to get out of bed.


    Forcing herself to sit up, E dragged herself to her feet. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror—disheveled hair, pale skin. She looked like a helpless wreck.


    So many times, she’d thought of herself as strong.


    But today, she realized she hadn’t grown at all. If she had, she wouldn’t be so powerless while Eric was in danger.


    No, she couldn’t sit back anymore. She had to go to that estate herself.


    The estate belonged to Mr. Bowen’s youngest son, Leonard Miller. Though Leonard was said to be the least favored of the family, E had done her research.


    Even if Leonard wasn’t particrly beloved, he had still attended the best universities and received an elite education. The difference was that he hadn’t been given the same financial support as his brothers.


    Leonard hadn’t taken over any part of the family business, but he clearly had a sharp mind for business from what little she’d observed.


    E’s spirits lifted. She quickly brushed her teeth, washed her face, and threw on a ck professional suit. After hurriedly eating a light breakfast, she headed for the estate.


    As she was crossing the hotel lobby, she unexpectedly ran into Lukeing in.


    "Where are you going?" Luke’s face darkened as he noticed how formally E was dressed.


    E gave him a quick nce but said nothing, continuing toward the door.


    Luke grabbed her wrist. Startled, E yanked her arm free. "Luke, this is none of your business!"