Chapter 50 He Had an Accident

Chapter 50 He Had an Accident

Elodie's POV

His words were like a spell, easily breaking down all my resolve.

Nelson scooped me up and placed me back on the soft bed, wrapping me tightly in the blanket until only my head was showing.

He didn't leave right away. Instead, he sat on the edge of the bed, gently stroking my cheek with his fingertips.

"Sleep," he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on my forehead. "I'm here with you."

The faint smell of smoke on him didn't scare me at all. Strangely, it calmed my tense nerves.

I fell asleep to his scent, under his quiet gaze, finally drifting off deeply.

But I didn't sleep well. My dreams were full of chaotic flames and deafening explosions.

I jolted awake from the nightmare, instinctively reaching out to touch the space beside me, only to find it empty.

Nelson was already gone.

My heart felt hollow. I grabbed my robe, put it on, and hurried downstairs.

The villa was eerily quiet, completely lifeless.

It wasn't until I walked into the kitchen that I saw an unexpected figure.

Rod, wearing a sharp suit, had his back to me, carefully pouring heated milk into a glass.

Hearing movement behind him, he turned around. His face showed little expression, but a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

"Miss Elodie, you're awake." He placed the milk and a sandwich in front of me. "The boss instructed me to make sure you eat breakfast when you wake up."

"Where's Nelson?" I looked around. "When did he leave?"

"Boss had very urgent business to handle. He left before dawn. During his business trip, I'll be responsible for your safety and daily needs."

Business trip? He didn't mention anything last night.

"What happened exactly?" I pressed. "Is it the company..."

Rod seemed surprised by my directness. He paused, then spoke carefully, "Nelson Corporation's projects in Europe have been under malicious attack by unknown forces. The boss needs to go there personally to take control."

Malicious attack.

Those words overlapped with the flames in my dream. Ethan and Angel's words kept repeating in my ears.

Staying by his side would only make me a target for all his enemies.

I sat at the dining table, staring at the elegant breakfast in front of me, with no appetite at all.

I was distracted all day in class.

I didn't hear a word the professor said. My mind was full of Nelson's tired, restrained expression from last night.

Did he go without sleep again? Was what he was dealing with dangerous?

During lunch, I had no appetite. I sat alone in a corner of the cafeteria, lost in thought.

"May I sit here?"

A gentle male voice pulled me back from my chaotic thoughts.

I looked up to see Henry standing across from me with his tray, looking a bit awkward, with a friendly smile on his face.

I nodded.

After sitting down, he adjusted his glasses somewhat unnaturally, his gaze falling on the scabbed wound on my face with some concern. "Is your injury better?"

"It's fine now, thank you."

"That's good." He looked relieved. After hesitating for a moment, he couldn't help asking, "The gentleman who took you to the hospital that day, is he your..."

"He's my boyfriend," I answered simply.

Henry's smile froze for a moment, then quickly returned to normal.

"He seems to... care about you a lot."

I didn't say anything more, just hummed softly in response.

The cafeteria was noisy with voices. The TV on the wall was playing the midday news.

I had no appetite and was about to get up and leave when the female anchor's clear, calm voice suddenly caught my attention.

"...A violent explosion occurred at the west district dock at 3 AM this morning, with flames shooting into the sky. According to preliminary investigation, the accident has caused three deaths and over ten injuries. It's reported that the dock belongs to Nelson Corporation..."

Nelson Corporation.

My brain buzzed, as if struck hard by a hammer.

Everything before my eyes lost sound and color. All that remained was the night sky on the TV screen, lit red by flames, and the billowing black smoke rising into the air.

I suddenly stood up. The chair scraped against the floor with a harsh sound.

Under Henry's and others' shocked gazes, I grabbed my phone and stumbled out of the cafeteria.

I called Rod's number over and over, but all I heard was the cold busy tone.

I couldn't reach him.

Overwhelming panic engulfed me like a tide.

I didn't bother asking for leave from school. I rushed straight out the gate, hailed a taxi, and gave the villa's address.

When I returned to that familiar villa, I was greeted only by deathly silence.

I pushed open the door. The living room was empty. Even Graham, the butler who would normally greet me right away, was nowhere to be seen.

The entire house was as quiet as a tomb.

I collapsed weakly onto the sofa, my body trembling with fear.

I kept replaying the news images in my mind—the dock, the explosion, the deaths... Where was Nelson now? Was he safe? Was he on that ship?

I didn't dare think any further.

I didn't know what to do. I could only hug my knees, like a child abandoned by the whole world, waiting in despair.

Just when I was about to be driven mad by the endless silence and fear, my phone suddenly rang sharply in my pocket.

I fumbled to pull out my phone.

Seeing the unfamiliar number flashing on the screen, I didn't even think before swiping to answer.

"Nelson?"

There was a second of silence on the other end, then a male voice I least wanted to hear came through clearly.

"Elodie, it's me."

It was Ethan.

I immediately hung up and blocked his number.