Chapter 1234: Chapter 1234

Chapter 1234:

Harlee’s reaction to hearing about Ritchie wasn’t one of visible grief. Rather, she seemed to retreat further into calmness. “What happened?” Her eyes appeared hollow, deprived of any spark.

Jonathan closed his eyes briefly, his voice steady as he said, “Ritchie stayed behind as he had promised to wait and help us. He was worried when we didn’t return for ages, but he didn’t leave his post.”

Harlee’s expression remained unchanged, as if detached from the story being told.

Seeing her impassive face, Jonathan continued, “Then, the military showed up. Matteo had blown up the roads to the mountain and set guards on the alternate paths. The military couldn’t get through. So, Ritchie loaded his car with explosives and drove it at the enemy.” Explosives… Harlee pondered whether Ritchie had intended his death to protect them.

Jonathan solemnly pulled out a letter from his pocket and handed it to her with a heavy heart. “This was the last thing he left behind. The explosion was massive. He and the others were blown to pieces.”

With shaky hands, Harlee accepted the letter and read quietly.

“Harlee, don’t mourn for me. To die where we fought side by side is an honor. This isn’t a goodbye letter. It’s a plea for you not to sorrow over me. I hope my funeral is a celebration with laughter and music. And have a band play. I want to see you all dancing joyously. Lastly, please don’t tell Tonya about my fate. I want her to remember joy, not my end. Thank you.”

Harlee absorbed every word, then carefully folded the letter and placed it in her pocket. “Ritchie cherished nature. Let him rest in that land.” Her calm was unnerving, the kind of quiet that usually comes just before a storm.

Seeing this, Rhys furrowed his brow in concern. At times, silence wasn’t a good sign. Back when he had fallen off a cliff, Harlee had remained just as calm, and it had spiraled into depression, haunting her every night.

“Is it Tonya they’re operating on inside?” Harlee asked. She silently calculated the casualties: Christopher and Hamilton were killed, Ritchie sacrificed himself, Robbie suffered severe throat injuries, and both Jonathan and Patrick were standing right there. That left only Tonya possibly in surgery.

Patrick exchanged a look with Jonathan. Normally, Jonathan should be the one explaining, since he was with Tonya in her last conscious moments, but given his visibly shaken state, Patrick stepped in.

“Yes, it’s Tonya,” Patrick said. “She was discovered after firing a shot for you. Jonathan tried to reach her, but Matteo’s men captured them. After you risked your life to assassinate Matteo, Tonya was trying to reposition for another shot…”

Jonathan cut in, “An ambush hit us. Tonya shielded me and took two bullets. She’s been in ICU for the last two days, undergoing her third surgery.”

It was indeed a surgery. Relieved to hear Tonya was still fighting, Harlee’s tension eased momentarily.

Just then, the ICU door suddenly opened, and Goodwin stepped out, dressed in a white coat. He was followed by several doctors and nurses. Goodwin massaged his neck tiredly before noticing the group in the hall and nodding respectfully. “Mr. Green, Miss Sanderson.”

Rhys had reached out to Goodwin immediately after the incident, and Goodwin had overseen the surgeries for Harlee and Robbie and the medical assessments for Patrick and Jonathan.

Grateful, Harlee said, “Thank you, Dr. Wilson.”

Goodwin’s eyes welled up with remorse as he replied, “Miss Sanderson, I’m afraid Miss Santos isn’t going to make it. I’m not as skilled as she was. I couldn’t save her…”

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