Chapter 198

In the end, Nicholas drove away. Eugenie lingered in the doorway, watching the car fade into the distance, knowing there was nothing she could do to change what had already been set in motion.

Xanthe washed her hands and stepped toward Eugenie, noticing the courtyard parking spot was empty. "Did Nicholas leave or go out to buy something?"

Eugenie silently withdrew her gaze, her mood somewhat low. "Something came up at his company. He had to go back to handle it. It was urgent, and he didn't have time to say goodbye to you. He asked me to apologize on his behalf."

Xanthe had no objection to this, waving her hand dismissively. "You young people have your own business to attend to. I couldn't keep him here by force. Just remember to tell him so he doesn't keep worrying about it."

Eugenie nodded halfheartedly. Xanthe noticed and patted her shoulder in comfort. "He's just going back to handle work. Don't be so gloomy. It's not like he's never coming back."

Eugenie was precisely afraid he wouldn't come back. Even though she'd reminded him repeatedly, who could predict the future? Never before had his departure made her worry so much.

After Nicholas left, Eugenie couldn't muster any energy to go out. After lunch, she went upstairs intending to handle some work. Standing at her door, an inexplicable urge made her push open the room across the hall where he had stayed.

Since he'd left on a whim, he hadn't taken everything—just some clothes and documents. His suitcase still sat by the wardrobe.

He'd said he would return. He wasn't allowed to go back on his word. Eugenie sat on the bed he'd slept in and unknowingly drifted off. When she woke and checked the time, several hours had passed.

She opened her phone and found his message—sent an hour earlier—confirming he’d arrived safely. Relief washed over her. At least everything had gone smoothly.

She replied telling him to rest well, put down her phone without looking further. That night, showered and settled in her room, she saw the messages hadn’t progressed beyond her final text.

Nicholas got off the highway and headed straight to the company. His assistant had already received word and was waiting downstairs to report on developments.

He acted decisively to remove those around him with hidden agendas, then personally visited wavering shareholders one by one to stabilize the situation.

To return earlier to see Eugenie, he squeezed his rest time and worked continuously to handle those thorny matters, striking down his second uncle's arrogant momentum. Back in his office, he pressed his throbbing temples.

"Mr. Whitaker, why don't you rest a bit?" Even his assistant couldn't bear to watch and went in to advise.

Nicholas shook his head in refusal. After recovering, he said quietly, "Bring me the remaining documents."

The assistant sighed, turned to carry in that stack of files, and watched his CEO bury himself in work before quietly going to handle his own tasks.

Eugenie received Nicholas's message just before dinner. He said he'd almost finished and was already on his way back—he'd arrive later.

The moment she received his message, she finally relaxed a bit. It seemed his return trip to handle things had gone relatively smoothly.

[Waiting for you.]

After sending the message, she walked cheerfully to Xanthe's side, tilting her head slightly. "Grandma, Nicholas said he'll arrive later. I want to save him some food."

Xanthe understood immediately. She tapped Eugenie’s nose, smiling indulgently. "You've finally learned to care for people, but I haven't seen you worry about me this much."

Eugenie slipped her arms around her waist from behind, acting cute. "What are you saying? Of course, I worry about you and care for you. If you came to visit me, I'd make sure to prepare all your favorite foods ahead of time."

Xanthe had her fetch a few bowls from the side and portioned out some dishes to keep warm in the pot, ready for Nicholas to eat when he arrived.

But she kept waiting. Hours passed. The two cities weren’t far apart—it should have been just an hour or two by car. Yet four hours had gone by, and he still hadn’t arrive. Why wasn't he here yet?

The longer Eugenie waited, the more anxious she became. The messages she sent went unanswered. The calls she made went unanswered. Everything felt wrong.

Xanthe was also worried. She walked to Eugenie's side with concern. "What's going on with Nicholas? Is he stuck in traffic or was he delayed by something temporary?"

Eugenie didn't know the either. She shook her head. "He's not answering calls or replying to messages. I don't know what's going on."

Seeing it getting later and later, she couldn't keep the two elderly people waiting with her. She put down her phone and coaxed them into going to rest while she stayed to continue waiting.

The clock on the wall swayed toward nine o'clock. Nicholas still hadn't sent any word. She opened a short video app to pass the time. She didn't know if the algorithm had mind-reading abilities, but after the system refreshed, the first video recommended was of a car accident scene.

Eugenie swiped it away in irritation, then, a moment later, swiped back. The report showed a crash at a highway exit—a sedan had collided with a truck, thick smoke rising from the wreck.

She stared at that crushed and deformed sedan. The more she looked, the more familiar it seemed. She zoomed in on details and looked several times. It looked more and more like the car Nicholas had driven here a few days ago. Her hands trembled, unwilling to accept this reality.

In such a horrific accident scene, the chances of survival for anyone inside were slim to none. Eugenie couldn't accept this. Only one thought filled her mind—go to the scene and confirm Nicholas's condition.

Dead or alive, she had to see with her own eyes. Alive, all would be well. Dead, whoever was behind this wouldn't have it easy either.

She hadn't yet had time to express her feelings. She wouldn't allow him to leave like this.

Eugenie quickly changed her shoes, knocked on the neighbor's door to borrow a car, and headed to the accident scene. She floored the gas pedal, the car speeding forward.

Due to the accident, nearby roads were completely jammed. Eugenie honked her horn to no avail, pulled out the keys, and decided to get out and run.

The accident scene was cordoned off by the police. Eugenie tried to enter but was stopped.

"Miss, the fuel tank at the accident scene is leaking. There's a danger of explosion at any moment. Please don't approach."

Eugenie couldn't care about any of that. She repeatedly pushed away the officer blocking her path, tears blurring her vision as she pleaded, "Please let me in. Someone I know is in that car. Let me go see how he is."

"I'll just take one look. I won't interfere with your work. Let me go in."

The officer was moved by her heartbroken tears, but, bound by professional duty, could only firmly hold her back. "The scene is dangerous. Please calm down. The ambulance is on its way. Your friend will surely be fine."

These words couldn't calm Eugenie. Not far away, at the sedan's position, blood dripped slowly from the car door. That splash of crimson stabbed at her eyes.

Losing so much blood, he must be in so much pain.

Just as she decided to force her way in, she heard someone call her from behind.

"Eugenie."