Chapter 263: "Just Won't Believe It" (Part 1)
The girl followed Alison toward the yacht.
The sound of seawater crashing against the rocks was deafening.
On the yacht, Jack seemed to be engaged in a heated argument, surrounded by a crowd of men.
Alison trembled. She pulled out her phone, dialed the emergency number, and turned away. She didn't want to involve the girl in this dangerous situation.
She reported a robbery occurring near the coastline. She didn't dare mention the yacht, choosing to avoid escalating matters just yet.
A man approached her and warned, "Get away. Watch out, or the waves will sweep you into the sea."
His tone reminded her of The Arctic Bear Alliance members—equally arrogant and overbearing.
Alison took the little girl's hand and started back toward the bench. Just then, she heard the echo of gunfire.
The roar of the tide quickly drowned out the sound.
She whipped her head around, her gaze locking onto the spot where Jack had been standing.
A flash of white plunges into the sea—it's Jack.
She froze as another shot rang out.
Alison's eyes welled up instantly. Like a madwoman, she plunged into the sea and waded forward, consumed by a single thought-- save Jack.
The water was cold and swiftly engulfed her feet, then her knees, and then her thighs.
Behind her, the little girl's terrified cries echoed, "Miss! Come back!"
Alison ignored her; her eyes were only fixed on the fleeting white figure, yet it had vanished.
Her long hair drifted on the surface as her body grew heavier.
The buoyancy of the sea lifted her entire body. And then, mouthfuls of seawater poured into her throat.
Alison closed her eyes, and tears merged with the seawater.
Suddenly, her body was yanked upward before she sank.
Strong arms wrapped tightly around her.
"Miss! What's wrong? What happened?" A man's voice echoed as he pulled her toward the shore.
Alison jolted awake and coughed up seawater. She then frantically pounded the chest of the man. "Let me go! I need to save him!"
The man ignored her blows. "Miss, who are you looking for?"
"My husband, Jack! Let me go! I need to find him!" She screamed hoarsely.
"I'm sorry, but I must take you to record your statement first. Then we'll send people to search for him," the man said calmly.
"No, it'll be too late! He fell into the sea! Hurry! Save him! He fell off that yacht!" Alison urged.
"Understood. I'll dispatch a search team immediately. Ma'am, please remain calm." His words soothed her, and a glimmer of hope ignited within her.
The man laid her on the sand. Her clothes were soaked, and the sea breeze whipped against her damp skin, sending shivers through her body. Yet she paid no heed; her gaze was fixed on the spot where Jack had fallen.
"Sir, he's wearing white."
"Understood." The man picked up his walkie-talkie and issued the command.
Alison realized that this man was a police officer.
She waited quietly, convinced that Jack wouldn't die because he could really swim.
Soon, several speedboats headed toward the area Alison had indicated.
Time dragged on slowly, each second a torturous ordeal.
Alison clenched her fists, letting the sea breeze send shivers through her body.
She silently pleaded: Jack, don't leave us. I can't live without you.
The police boarded the yacht but found no trace of Jack.
Frantic, Alison rushed to the officer, snatched the walkie-talkie, and pleaded into the microphone, "Please find him! He won't die! He can swim!"
The officer tried to calm her down. "Ma'am, please stay calm. We're doing everything we can."
Then he signaled his subordinate to take off his jacket and drape it over her.
"No, I don't need. Just save him, please," Alison firmly refused.
The subordinate looked helplessly at Officer Clark.
Officer Clark frowned and said to Alison, "Go inside the police car to change your clothes. Otherwise, I'm worried you won't make it until we find Jack."
The words struck Alison. Numbly, she nodded. "Just give me a coat. I don't need to change out of my wet clothes."