Magnus had been gone for a week, and my cousin led a protest for a whole week. The incessant rain made everything feel stifling.
By now, I heard that my cousin had started another argument in the lobby. After my meeting, the security couldn't stop him, and he barged in, a gleam of excitement on his face. "Lillian, your good days are over." He threw a broken phone in front of me.
A piece of the latest news popped up.
A mountain road in a certain city had suddenly encountered a landslide, burying dozens of passing vehicles.
My cousin, practically gleaming with joy, said, "I've checked with my sources. Magnus Everstone's car was in that mess. Lillian, are you cursed or something?"
I stared at the scrolling comments on the screen, paused for a moment, and then said, "We need to gather the necessary people, organize donations for disaster relief, and contact the media to follow up with coverage."
My cousin froze, his face turning ashen. "Lillian, do you even care? Your husband's fate is uncertain, and all you can think about is stealing the spotlight?" I paused, expressionless, and pointed at the camera. "Copy the video from just now and send it to me."
"With all this disaster going on, and you're still cracking jokes? Keep quiet if you don't want me to expose you."
The accident quickly trended online.
Rescue teams were dispatched to the disaster site.
I worked late into the night, and when everyone else had left, I grabbed my coat and walked out of the meeting room.
The hallway lights had been dimmed by half.
Only the sound of my footsteps echoed, steady and sharp.
I reached a corner, then suddenly leaned against the wall, slowly crouching down. I dialed Magnus Everstone for the first time since the incident. The call didn't go through.
All the emotions I'd suppressed suddenly found an outlet. It started to crack open. The rain was falling again outside.
Foggy moisture seeped in through the half-open window.
Just then, my secretary called. "Ms. Rothschild, the interview will start in three hours. I've sent you the article." I leaned against the wall, closed my eyes, and rested for a moment.
Then, with effort, I pushed off the wall and stood up.
"Alright, I'll head downstairs now."
……
The third day after Magnus's disappearance, I had been shuttling back and forth between the two companies for three days straight. Trucks carrying relief supplies were being delivered to the disaster site.
The market value of both companies soared.
People were talking after watching my interview. "Isn't Lillian Rothschild married to Magnus Everstone? Why is she so calm? Doesn't she care? Seems like she's just putting on a show."
"You don't know anything, at least she actually donated supplies and money. Unlike you, just sitting behind a keyboard, pointing fingers."
"Tsk, this woman is heartless."
It wasn't just them. My parents felt the same.
They watched a video of my cousin throwing a tantrum in the office, and their faces darkened. "Lillian Rothschild, if you expose this, we will disown you."
I looked at them expressionlessly and said, "Then buy me out. I've been very clear—I want the shares in your hands."
The company was in a prime position right now, and with no other choice, they finally relented.
When I stepped out of the house, Jasper Thornton was waiting outside.
His face wasn't looking too good. "Lillian, are you really sincere about Magnus?"
By this point, I hadn't slept for two days and two nights.
I handed my bag to him. "Wait here for a moment." Then I walked over to the confidant waiting in the distance, gave a brief set of instructions, and turned back to open Jasper's car door.
"Take me to the airport."
"The airport? Why?"
The emotions I'd kept suppressed for so long finally exploded at that moment. "Shut up! Now! Take me to the airport!" The secretary had been talking to Jasper for a while on the phone. He wasn't sure about me, so he went with me to the disaster site.
The company's relief teams and supplies had already reached the site a few days ago. The rescue efforts were in full swing.
After getting out of the car, I headed straight for the rescue team.
I stumbled a few times on the slippery, rainy road.
My knees were scraped and bleeding.
Jasper was pulling me from behind. "Lillian, calm down. I just received news, Magnus Everstone might still be alive."
I stopped suddenly, turned around, and shoved him. "Why didn't you say this earlier?"
It was the first time Jasper had seen me lose my temper, and he shrank back a bit. "The disaster site has multiple sections. It's possible that Magnus wasn't trapped beneath the rubble but is instead stuck in one of the road sections. The mudslide knocked over the power poles, so there's no signal…"
I glared at him fiercely for a long moment, eyes red. Finally, I shouted at him, "When Magnus gets out of there, I'll have him fire you!" I walked over to the supply team, put on a vest, and started helping distribute supplies to the rescue teams.
Jasper followed my lead and began working as well.
The persistent rain brought an unbearable chill, making everything feel like it was freezing to the bone.
When I got tired, I would rest in the tent.
Once I woke up, I'd get back to work.
I had already arranged things for the back office, so I wasn't worried about anything going wrong.
Three more days passed in the blink of an eye.
My last clean shirt was covered in mud.
In the distance, a rescue team suddenly shouted, "We've got a group coming out, get a doctor over here!"
I instinctively looked up.
Through the fine rain, a tall figure broke free from the crowd and climbed up a small hill.
Doctors quickly rushed over to him.
Magnus, his gaze fixed on this direction, instantly locked on my figure. He parted the crowd and hobbled toward me.
He tripped over a small dirt mound and almost fell, looking both pitiful and somewhat comical. But eventually, Magnus reached me, just as he was about to speak.
Jasper rushed forward, "Sir!"
Magnus leaned on a supply cart and kicked it with his good leg. "You really think you can bring her here? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
With that, Magnus looked at my swollen knees and scolded me fiercely, "What is this place? Have you had enough of a good life—" I shoved a bottle of water into his hand and turned to walk away.
"Lillian…"
Magnus's voice trembled, his tone softening in an instant. He followed me, "Don't walk any further, it's all mud, it's dirty." I wiped tears from my face, venting my frustration, and stomped hard into a puddle, splashing mud all over Magnus.
He finally caught up, pulled me into his arms, and asked, "Stop running, does your leg hurt?"
His palm was so warm.
It pressed against my cheek, warming me against the dampness of the rain.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and they fell. I choked out, "I, Lillian Rothschild, had everything I wanted growing up. Why should I have to suffer so much for you?"
All the anxiety and fear I had been suppressing finally found an outlet.
Magnus lowered his head, cautiously rubbing against me. "I'm sorry… I won't let you suffer again, I swear." My chest ached with a heavy feeling, and soon my tears soaked through Magnus's shirt.
Magnus's heart was pounding fast.
Each beat thudded against my ribs.
His warm breath brushed against the top of my head, and he whispered softly, "Lillian, it's time to sleep. Let's rest, okay?" Magnus Everstone gently pushed me into the tent and made me a small, clean bed.
He worked with care.
In just a few minutes, the bed was soft and cozy. Magnus squatted by the bed, his eyes fixed on me without blinking. I kept pushing him away, "Go see a doctor. I don't want someone with a broken leg around."
"Okay."
Magnus kissed my forehead, then, once I was asleep, he carefully got up and limped out of the tent.
