Chapter 89
Aaron understood Edward's implied meaning and was relieved he'd told the truth. After all, Adeline wasn't just someone Edward once cared deeply for.
She was also Lily's mother.
The villagers began a systematic search. Alicia, having no choice, joined them, pretending to help while not really trying.
Secretly, she prayed.
It would be best if Adeline died in some remote corner, sparing everyone future trouble.
Suddenly, the sky darkened. The village head noticed and muttered about the complication.
"It's going to rain."
Rain would wash away all traces on the mountain, erasing any tracks.
It would also obstruct their vision.
Even the searchers themselves could be in danger on the mountain.
"Let's go back for raincoats and boots first," the village head ordered.
"We can't go back."
The village head looked at Edward. "If we don't go back, we'll all get soaked searching. Without proper gear, we won't last long."
But Edward was frantic with worry.
Once it started raining, Adeline, alone on the mountain, would be in the greatest danger.
Yet he had no right to ask the villagers to risk themselves with him.
So the village head organized everyone to head back.
But Edward stubbornly pressed forward. Aaron quickly followed. "Edward, don't go up the mountain now! Let's go back for equipment and then return to search!"
"Get out of my way."
Aaron blocked Edward's path. "I know you're anxious, but can you please calm down? If you rush up there and it rains, all traces will be gone. Where will you look? If you get lost yourself, we'll have to search for both you and Adeline."
"I said move."
"I won't."
Edward shoved Aaron aside. Caught off guard, Aaron slammed into a hard tree, his back smarting with pain. His usual composed demeanor was instantly shattered, and he gritted his teeth in anger.
"Have you lost your mind?"
Aaron grabbed Edward's arm. "I'm your best friend, and I won't let you risk yourself alone—especially not for Adeline, who betrayed you. Didn't you say you wouldn't rekindle things with her?"
What was he doing now?
Risking his life for a woman he loved?
"This has nothing to do with rekindling anything," Edward calmly removed Aaron's hand. "Even if we never see each other again, I can't stand by and watch her get hurt."
"No one's saying she's in danger! We just can't find her in the mountains. Maybe she's hiding somewhere. Besides, she has her phone. If she's really lost or in trouble, she would call for help."
Aaron desperately tried to reason with him.
But if Edward were that easy to persuade, they wouldn't be wasting time here.
"I'll say it one last time: move."
"No."
The two men faced off on the rugged mountain path.
Edward threw a punch. Aaron staggered, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Seriously? You're hitting me for Adeline?"
Edward hit him again. Aaron wasn't skilled in fighting and couldn't retaliate effectively. He ended up sitting on the ground, his mouth and eye bruised.
"You son of a..." He was so angry that he cursed.
Edward walked away without looking back, leaving only a single word floating in the night air. "Sorry."
Aaron slammed his fist against a tree trunk. But he couldn't let Edward go alone. What if something really happened and there was no one to help?
Gritting his teeth, he followed.
When the other villagers returned with their gear, they discovered both men were gone.
The village head was beside himself with worry.
To make matters worse, there was no cell signal on the mountain. Their phones were useless.
"Let's keep searching. If we find them before it rains, that's good. If not we'll call the police."
"But that will affect our village's investment prospects."
The village head's face was tense. "The person missing on the mountain is Mr. Thomas, our potential investor! If anything happens to him, we can't cover it up."
Adeline followed the young boy to the main hall of the church. Facing the solemn crucifix, she knelt on a prayer bench, hands clasped together.
May God bless my daughter Lily with eternal health, happiness, and safety.
May my good friend Olivia always be joyful, grow more beautiful, and have endless wealth.
May my grandmother Cara enjoy good health and live to a hundred.
May Edward have a smooth life with no more hardships.
After finishing her prayers, the young boy said, "We offer free meals to visitors here."
Adeline felt uncomfortable accepting without giving something in return. "Can I donate?"
"Of course."
Adeline followed the young boy to the donation box. Though her pockets weren't deep, she wanted to contribute something as a gesture of goodwill.
After donating, she checked the sky.
"Can I stay overnight here? Just a room would be fine, even a storage room."
"Yes, we have many rooms."
On the way to her room, the young boy told Adeline about the church's environment and situation.
Located in a remote area, they rarely had visitors. The church staff were self-sufficient, sometimes going long periods without seeing a single guest.
The donation box contained very little money.
Adeline thought their lifestyle sounded wonderful—far from worldly chaos, returning to simplicity.
As they talked, someone knocked at the door.
The young boy ran to open it and saw two tall men standing outside. He shrank back a little.
"Are you here to pray too?"
Why were so many people coming today?
"Too?" Edward's gaze moved past the young boy toward the depths of the church. "Someone else came before us?"
The young boy didn't understand what was happening, but he felt the man's gaze was intensely intimidating. He didn't dare lie.
"Yes, a beautiful young lady."
"Take us to her."
The young boy instinctively turned to lead them inside.
He wondered to himself why he obeyed this man's command so readily.
It worked even better than the pastor's instructions.
Adeline was examining her room when she heard footsteps outside, sounding like more than one person.
She frowned slightly and opened the door.
She came face-to-face with Edward and Aaron.
Aaron gave a resigned smile. "Well, look at that. You really are here."
Adeline was momentarily stunned.
"Is there a problem with me being here?"
"Why did you run off without telling anyone?" Aaron's patience was wearing thin after being dragged up the mountain in the middle of the night to search for her.
"Since when do I need to inform you where I'm going?" They weren't that close, and Adeline couldn't imagine herself approaching them to announce her departure.
That made sense.
Aaron couldn't argue with that. He turned to the silent Edward.
"Say something, will you?"
"What is there to say?" Edward said coldly. "She has her own ideas and freedom of action. She can go wherever she wants, leave when she wants, stay when she wants. Who are we to question her?"
Aaron fell silent.
That comment carried a lot of resentment.
Adeline didn't understand why they'd suddenly appeared with such passive-aggressive attitudes. They couldn't possibly be worried about her. Besides, she had been forced to leave, not left of her own accord.
"I don't know what you're trying to say, but where I go is indeed my freedom and none of your business."
With that, she turned and went back into her room.
Aaron pushed up his glasses. "What a stubborn mule!"
Edward's face was icy. "Who asked you to come? It's completely unnecessary. She clearly doesn't need you to find her. What are you doing?"
Aaron was confused.
"I came with you..." As he spoke, he suddenly realized.
Edward wasn't talking to him. He was talking to himself.
It made sense. Running around the wild mountains in the middle of the night to find someone, only to have Adeline be ungrateful when found.
Who wouldn't be upset?
"We've found her, your mind is at ease now, so let's head back down the mountain."
Aaron really disliked this place.
It was too remote and desolate.
"I'm not leaving. If you want to go, go by yourself."
Edward looked at the young boy. "Arrange a room for me, too, right next to hers. If she can stay here, so can I."