Chapter 1796
"I know what Erik wants, and the moment he shows up, I''m gonna catch him. I want to trade him for
Serena''s life. Is that okay?" Martin pleaded as he bowed deeply, "Please."
The four exchanged knowing nces, silently concluding that the kid was a lost cause. He was
hopelessly devoted to that girl, Serena, who just couldn''t see it. Her heart had always belonged to
Romeo.
"Just go home." Louisa was adamant about not releasing Serena, "She''s hurt Be time and time
again. I''m not about to let her off the hook that easily. And to be brutally honest, if she''s really dying, it''s
Erik''s fault. Why hasn''t he shown up all this time? If he can ignore his own daughter''s life or death, why
should you, just her boyfriend, bother?"
"Mrs. Collins." Martin began, but Louisa cut him off.
"Even if you linger around for a day or two, I won''t release her. Get that through your head." She said
coldly and wearily, not desiring to make any interactions with him, "Go home, Martin. You''re a decent
man, and I have no intention of having someone escort you out. There''s no room for negotiation with
me about that girl, so don''t waste your energy."
Martin looked to the other elders for support, but they remained silent, evidently in agreement with
Louisa.
He knew further words were futile, "My apologies for upsetting you, Mrs. Collins."
He bowed once more, his voice as polite and respectful as ever, "I''ll bring Erik back as soon as
possible to trade for Serena. It''ste; I won''t disturb your rest any longer. Goodbye."
He knew he couldn''t use force to get her, especially with Bard and Eunice here, their clout partially
extended to this ce.
The holidays were approaching, and Serena''s brothers would be returning home. The Collins family
had deep roots in this city. Outnumbered and outgunned, Martin knew that brute force was neither his
preferred method nor his style.
There was only one way left: to capture Erik. Erik held the truth about the clinic fire that the Collins
family wanted to know. Even if Erik fell into their hands, he wouldn''t be killed outright - he''d likely suffer
some physical pain at most.
But Serena was a different story. She had been without food and water for two days and nights,
wounded, and he didn''t know how much longer she couldst.
Watching Martin''s retreating figure, Keh sighed, "Why doesn''t the kid see? Is that girl really worth
all this trouble?"
"The Cooper family have raised him too well. A person with such heart and soul is rare these days. It''s
a shame, but Serena is destined to break his heart," Bard remarked regretfully.
"If that girl survives, with her temperament, she''s bound for trouble." Eunice added, "She and Martin
won''tst, and the Cooper family wouldn''t wee someone like her into their family. Let''s not worry
needlessly. We''ve done what we could; the rest is up to him."
"Two days have passed, and Erik is still nowhere to be seen," Louisa''s concern was barely concealed.
Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!
Just then, a servant came with urgent news, "Mr. and Mrs. Collins, there''s been no sound from the girl
in the basement. When I opened the door, she was lying there, motionless and cold to the touch, with a
burning fever. Her breathing''s almost gone. I had to check for a long time before I could feel a faint
breath."
The servant''s voice trembled with fear. With New Year around the corner, they dreaded the thought of a
death in the house.
"Why don''t we have the doctor take a look? Then we''ll know her condition." Eunice suggested, and
then looked around, "Let''s see how much longer she can hold out."
Without food or drink and injured, she probably had a day or two, at most three, left to live.
If Erik continued to be absent., having her die in the house would indeed be an ill omen.
After examining her, the family doctor rushed with her medical bag to the stone table in the garden.