Chapter 96
After Matthew arrived at Serenity Island, he rushed straight to the site of the accident without stopping.
Before the car even came to a complete halt, he pushed the door open and jumped out, stumbling, barely able to stand.
After several days with hardly any sleep, plus over three hours on the plane, his body had long since reached its limit.
But he didn't feel tired—didn't even register exhaustion. Only one thought consumed his mind: find Evelyn.
He mobilized every resource he could access, even offering a massive personal reward.
The official search and rescue operation ran parallel to his own.
Matthew stood on the rescue boat, personally examining every piece of debris recovered.
The sea wind was fierce, making his eyes dry and red. He refused to close them.
Waves crashed over the side, soaking his clothes. He seemed oblivious.
Seven days and seven nights straight.
He never slept—when exhausted, he'd lean against the ship's railing for brief moments, then wake and continue watching the sea, not daring to blink.
Many people urged him to rest. He just shook his head, eyes red, without saying a word.
The weather didn't cooperate either. Starting on the fourth day, violent storms hadn't let up.
The sea churned violently, visibility was terrifyingly low, and rescue work became nearly impossible.
Other search teams gradually withdrew. Only his boat remained adrift at sea.
Seven days passed without any news.
On the eighth day, the government officially released the accident report. According to statistics, 252 passengers had perished in the incident, with 8 passengers missing and virtually no chance of survival.
The authorities published a complete passenger manifest.
Evelyn's name was prominently listed.
Matthew stared at that name on the screen for a long time.
He said nothing, stuffed the phone in his pocket, turned, and continued walking toward the shore.
"Mr. Perkins!" Thomas caught up with him. "The rescue teams have withdrawn. There's nothing left on the water. You..."
"Keep searching," his voice was so hoarse it was barely audible, yet carried an unquestionable stubbornness.
"But..."
"I said keep searching!"
He boarded the boat without looking back.
City A, at the hospital.
Sloane had dismissed all the medical staff. Only she and Elysia remained in the room.
She leaned against her pillow, unable to suppress the curve of her lips.
She'd read the official accident report over and over several times.
"Who would have thought... truly never imagined..." she murmured, her voice carrying barely contained delight.
That day, Elysia had used her suicide attempt as an excuse to call Matthew back from Serenity Island.
She'd waited and waited, only to learn he never even got off the plane. After seeing the news, he'd turned right around and flew back.
She'd thought he would return.
She'd thought she was at least more important to him than that woman.
But he never even left the airport.
Sloane gripped her phone, knuckles white.
She'd thought this return home meant certain victory.
That Evelyn was merely her replacement—what right did she have to compete?
Matthew's feelings for Evelyn were just novelty, nothing more.
Yet somehow, he'd actually fallen for her.
She'd feigned illness, attempted suicide, exhausted every tactic—only managing to pull him away from that woman for brief moments.
His heart had always remained with her, impossible to reclaim, no matter how hard she tried.
Now it was fine. That woman was dead.
Sloane let out a long breath of relief.
On the water, the search continued.
Matthew refused to believe Evelyn was dead. As long as no body was found, no one could say she was gone.
He ignored everyone's advice, remaining adrift at sea.
On the eighth night, he was standing perfectly fine at the bow when his legs suddenly gave out, and he pitched forward.
Bodyguards rushed to catch him. He'd already lost consciousness, face white as paper, lips purple, body burning with fever.
He was carried ashore with difficulty and rushed to the nearest hospital.
After Matthew left for Serenity Island, the Perkins Group had descended into internal chaos.
Though the PR department publicly claimed Matthew was away negotiating an important project, many key initiatives required his personal approval.
But he hadn't responded to a single message, leaving the entire corporation anxious.
"Did you hear? Mr. Perkins isn't actually on a business trip—he's been at Serenity Island this whole time."
"Yeah, apparently lots of people photographed him constantly on the rescue boats."
"I heard Miss Arden was on that accident ship..."
"Oh my God, how tragic..."
Matthew turned a deaf ear to these rumors and ignored the pressure from the PR department and the Perkins family.
After waking, he yanked out his IV and tried to head back to the shore.
"Matt, get a grip." Kevin blocked his path, eyes red-rimmed. "Evelyn is dead. She can't come back. No amount of searching will help."
Matthew looked at him with hollow eyes.
"You've searched for seven days and seven nights. You've combed the entire sea."
"The official report is out. Those unaccounted for have no chance of survival."
Kevin's voice trembled. "Matt, I know you're in pain..."
"But you need to wake up. The entire corporation is waiting for you."
Matthew said nothing, silently moving forward.
Kevin blocked him and punched him in the face. "Wake up! She really isn't coming back!"
Matthew staggered back, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
"I heard Evelyn's best friend is planning to hold a funeral for her," Kevin's voice dropped.
"In Seaside City, her hometown. The memorial service is tomorrow." He paused. "You should go. I think... she'd still want you there."
A funeral.
The word was like a key, unlocking Matthew's sealed-off senses.
His eyes finally gained focus.
"Funeral?" He murmured hoarsely.
Then his entire body swayed, and he collapsed again.
Kevin caught him, letting out a deep sigh.
The sky over Seaside City was gray and overcast, a fine drizzle falling.
The rain was dense and thin, cold against the face like someone's unstoppable tears.
Wind blew in from the sea, bringing salty dampness, rustling through the cemetery's pine and cypress trees.
Ronald had chosen the burial site.
He'd laid Evelyn to rest in the Arden family plot, alongside her family.
There was no body—only a symbolic grave.
Before the headstone sat her favorite daisies, white petals dotted with trembling raindrops.
Few attended the funeral—only Evelyn's closest friends.
Monica cried so hard she couldn't stand, supported by two people, her eyes swollen like walnuts.
Luna and Kate had rushed in from out of town, standing in a corner with reddened eyes, silent.
Kevin stood at the very back, holding a black umbrella, silently watching the headstone.
Everyone stood in silence, only the sound of rain and muffled sobbing.
The air was heavy as lead, making it hard to breathe.
Ronald crouched before Evelyn's headstone, straightening the bouquet of daisies.
"Eve, I picked this plot for you. I hope you like it," he murmured quietly.
"You finally don't have to live under his threats anymore. Now there's nothing he can use to hurt you."
He paused. "I hope in your next life you'll be happy. Be a carefree little girl who grows up joyfully."
He stood and saw off each friend one by one.
As Luna left, she looked back at the headstone, tears falling again.
Kate supported her, unable to say a word.
Finally, only Ronald remained.
He sat before the headstone for a long time without an umbrella, rain streaming down his hair, soaking his clothes.
He seemed oblivious, just sitting there, staring at the words on the stone, motionless.
The rain grew heavier, the world a gray blur.
Until a black umbrella appeared before him.