Chapter 609

Outside, the blue sea and clear sky contrast with the tense atmosphere.

Henry hurriedly carried Gabriel towards the rescue boat docked at the shore, while a female police officer carried Travis, following closely behind.

The paramedics immediately took over, placing Gabriel on a stretcher for a preliminary examination.

"He might have a head injury. We need to get him to the hospital for a CT scan right away," the doctor said gravely. "How long has he been unconscious?"

"Not more than half an hour," Henry replied, his fingers unconsciously stroking Gabriel's cold little hand.

He turned to Travis, who was being held by the police officer. "Travis, can you go with this officer on another boat? Daddy needs to stay with Gabriel."

"No!" Travis suddenly struggled fiercely, reaching out to Henry. "I want to stay with Daddy and Gabriel! Don't separate us!"

Having endured the trauma of the kidnapping, three-year-old Travis couldn't bear any more separation.

Henry immediately took Travis into his arms, holding him tightly. "Alright, we'll stay together."

He sat down next to the stretcher, holding Gabriel's hand with one hand while cradling Travis with the other.

The rescue boat's engine roared, cutting through the blue sea as it sped towards the main island.

Henry sat between his two sons, with Travis curled up in his arms, staring unblinkingly at the unconscious Gabriel. Henry's own gaze kept shifting between Gabriel's pale face and the horizon, each second feeling like an eternity.

"Daddy, Gabriel will be okay, right?" Travis suddenly asked, his big eyes filled with tears.

Henry kissed Travis's forehead, his voice firm. "Yes, Gabriel will be okay."

But Henry's heart felt like it was being gripped by an invisible hand. The swelling on the back of Gabriel's head was worse than he had anticipated, and Gabriel's fingers had started to twitch slightly.

In the distance, the outline of Marigoldia's main island gradually became clearer.

Henry silently prayed, hoping there was still time, hoping the medical team was ready, hoping his Gabriel could pull through.

At that moment, no one noticed the slight flutter of Gabriel's eyelashes.

In the VIP lounge of the Marigoldia resort, the air seemed to have frozen.

Zoey sat on the sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window, clutching a cup of cold herbal tea, her knuckles white from the pressure.

Outside, the blue sea sparkled under the sunlight, contrasting sharply with the heavy atmosphere inside.

"Zoey, have some water," Celine gently pushed a glass of water towards Zoey, her voice soothing like she was comforting a child. "You haven't had anything to drink since this morning."

Zoey mechanically shook her head, her gaze never leaving the silent phone on the table.

Her face was alarmingly pale, with dark shadows under her eyes, and her lips trembled slightly from anxiety.

It had been three hours since Henry left with the search team, each minute feeling like a knife slicing through Zoey's nerves.

"Mr. Windsor said they've located the kids, right?" Claire held Zoey's cold hand, softly reassuring her. "They'll be back safe and sound."

Joseph, a renowned medical professor from Stellaria, sat nearby, calmly adding, "Modern medical technology is advanced. Even if the kids have some minor injuries, they'll recover quickly. Three-year-olds heal much faster than adults."

These comforting words floated past Zoey's ears but couldn't penetrate her tense mind.

She kept seeing her sons' innocent, joyful faces: Gabriel playfully winking at her, Travis pouting when he wanted attention. Now, they were in the hands of kidnappers. How scared must they be? Were they hurt? Were they crying for their mom?

"It's all my fault." A suppressed sob came from the corner.

Yara covered her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking violently. "If I hadn't taken the kids to the beach this morning, if I had been more vigilant…"

Zoey finally looked up at Yara, who had been meticulously caring for Gabriel and Travis these past few days.

Yara's usually neat bun was now disheveled, and her eyes were swollen and red.

Her trembling voice was filled with guilt and pain.

"It's not your fault, Yara," Zoey's voice was hoarse but firm. "Those kidnappers clearly had a plan. If not today, they would have found another opportunity."

Zoey stood up and walked over to Yara, gently hugging her.

This action seemed to exhaust all of Zoey's strength, as she staggered the next moment, having to hold onto the sofa armrest to avoid falling.

"Zoey!" Celine exclaimed, quickly supporting Zoey. "You need to rest. If you keep going like this, you'll collapse before the kids come back."

Zoey shook her head, forcing herself to stand firm. "I can't fall. My kids need me." Her voice grew smaller, almost turning into a whisper.

Just then, the phone on the table suddenly vibrated, its piercing ring breaking the silence in the room.

Everyone held their breath simultaneously, their eyes fixed on the phone.

The screen displayed "Henry's" name.

Zoey practically lunged for the table, her fingers trembling so much she could barely hold the phone.

She took a deep breath and pressed the answer button. "Henry? Did you find the kids? How are they?"

Henry's hoarse voice came through the line. "We found them, both of them. But," the brief pause made Zoey's heart nearly stop, "Gabriel hit the back of his head. He's unconscious. We're on our way to Marigoldia International Hospital."

Zoey felt the world spin, her vision suddenly going black.

The phone slipped from her fingers, falling onto the carpet.

She vaguely heard Henry's anxious calls and the panicked shouts of those around her, but the sounds seemed muffled and distant, as if through thick glass.

"Zoey! Zoey!" Celine slapped Zoey's cheeks, bringing her back from the brief fainting spell.

Zoey stood up abruptly, the sudden movement causing her vision to darken again, but she ignored it. "We're going to the hospital! Now!" Her voice was sharp, almost unrecognizable.

Joseph had already picked up the phone, exchanging a few brief words with Henry before hanging up. "The kids will be at the ER in twenty minutes. Travis only has minor injuries, but Gabriel needs immediate examination."

He turned to Claire. "Claire, get my medical kit. It has some emergency supplies."

Five minutes later, everyone was in the resort's shuttle, speeding towards the hospital.

Zoey bit her lip, her hands gripping the seat tightly, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.

Celine sat beside her, continuously rubbing Zoey's cold hands, trying to offer some warmth.