"Stop the car."


    Themand cut through the silence of the car, startling Gregory, who was focused on driving. He mmed on the brakes.


    "Mr. Fawkes, is something wrong?" Gregory asked.


    Soren nced out the window. The mountain road was treacherous, and they had only just begun their descent from the summit.


    He pushed the door open, ready to get out. Gregory scrambled, "Mr. Fawkes, did you forget something? I can go back and get it for you."


    "Just wait here," Soren said, his tone leaving no room for argument.


    He didn''t exin that, in a half-conscious state just moments before, he had dreamed of Evangeline again. This time, he''d seen her body being torn apart by wild animals.


    The dream had been too real. So real that he could still feel his heart pounding violently against his ribs.


    Once Soren made a decision, no one could sway him. Noticing the dark mood that had settled over his boss, Gregory knew better than to press the issue. Instead, he grabbed an umbre from the car and hurried to hold it over Soren''s head, shielding him from the fine, thread-like rain.


    Soren took the umbre. As his fingers closed around the velvet handle, his expression faltered for a second.


    This was the umbre Evangeline had left in his car.


    Serenity City, nestled between mountains and sea, was known for its rain, but in his youth, he''d never cared. That changed after he was caught in a downpour and ended up sick for two days. After he recovered, Evangeline had quietly ced this umbre in his car.


    He hadn''t wanted to ept it, so he''d casuallyined about the cheap stic feel of the handle. The next time he saw it, a soft, hand-stitched velvet grip had been added.


    Work had gotten busy, and he couldn''t be bothered to argue over an umbre, so he''d let it be.


    Now, holding it, his gaze fell on the neat, even stitching where the velvet was secured. A stiffness ran through him.


    Gregory saw Soren''s eyes redden, though he didn''t understand why. Before he could say anything, Soren turned and began walking back up the mountain, umbre in hand.


    His figure seemed rigid, almost lonely, against the backdrop of the endless rain.


    *


    The drizzle was relentless.


    While the main path up the mountain was manageable, the cliffside below was a mess of mud. After one of the searchers nearly slipped and fell Glemt despite his frantic worry, had to call a temporary halt to the operation for everyone''s safety.


    But some refused to stop.


    "Mr. Carlisle, don''t worry. We''ve had professional training. A little rain like this is


    nothing. We''ve worked in far worse conditions."


    "We''ll maintain our own safety while we search."


    The professional rescue team Glenn had hired spoke with conviction. Theirmitment inspired others to join them, and the few bodyguards Arabe had left behind also insisted on continuing the search.


    Glenn was deeply grateful, pping them firmly on the shoulder. "Thank you,


    everyone. Whether we find her or not, I will never forget this."


    Safety was still paramount, so Glenn held back anyone without professional climbing experience. He allowed only the trained teams to continue, and for added security, they would now work in groups five or six.


    Just as they were preparing to set off, Glenn saw Soren walking back toward them.


    Soren strode right up to him.


    "What are you doing back here?" Glenn''s tone was hostile.


    This time, Soren had no intention of arguing.


    He had been about to drive back and confront Poppy, but after that dream, a slow, dawning realization had hit him. Whatever the truth was, it didn''t change what had already happened.