Chapter 746



Unable to hold back any longer, Kallie crumbled, tears cascading down her cheeks in front of Clayton. Seeing her slender shoulders tremble slightly and her eyes swollen and red from crying, Clayton felt a wave of sympathy for her and gently placed his hand on Kallie’s shoulder. He yearned to pull her into a comforting embrace.

Sensing something was wrong, Kallie quickly pulled away from Clayton’s hand, her tear-filled eyes revealing a trace of caution. “Clayton, do you dare to swear on your honor that if a single word from your lips holds a trace of deceit, there will be consequences?”

Clayton forced a bitter smile but lifted his hand. “I swear, if I’m deceiving you, may I be doomed to face unbearable consequences.”

Kallie felt a twinge of regret. If someone could commit evil, how could he be intimidated by mere vows? Yet, she remained at a loss, unsure of who to trust or how to proceed.

At least until she found Cara and Jake, she couldn’t afford to sever ties with Clayton. Despite this, Kallie stepped aside, trying to maintain some distance from him.

Clayton’s eyes flickered with concern as he caught her subtle movement. “Kallie, I admit I wasn’t upfront with you from the start. Is that the reason you don’t like me?”

Now much more composed, Kallie shifted her gaze to the passing scenery outside the car window. “Upset isn’t quite the word. I get it. If I were in your position, I’d also prioritize family over an outsider. But Clayton, let me be crystal clear. When I find Cara, even if she is dead, I won’t be extending any forgiveness. She is the reason my family has been fractured for so many years, leaving us torn apart and unable to reunite.”

galnovels . com is your storytelling hub Clayton opened his mouth, wanting to respond, but as he glimpsed the storm brewing in her expression, he remained silent. What good would it do to argue? Kallie would stick to her plans no matter what. In all honesty, he was fortunate Kallie wasn’t venting her rage at him for Cara’s actions.

Upon reaching the hospital, the doctors hurriedly examined the two children. Sophie’s condition, thankfully, wasn’t too severe. She had only suffered a few minor injuries. But Elma’s case was far more troubling. The doctor turned to Kallie, his expression grave. “This kid has sustained internal injuries. It appears she was struck with significant force, possibly by something sharp. I suspect she was kicked hard in the abdomen. We’re still evaluating the extent of the internal bleeding. On top of that, she’s been drugged, which has compromised her immune system.”

Seeing the desperation in Kallie’s eyes, the doctor hesitated before letting out a heavy sigh. “But rest assured, we will do our best.”

Kallie’s vision blurred, and she almost collapsed under the weight of the news. For the next three days, Kallie hardly ate or drank as she remained by Elma’s side in the hospital. Elma’s surgery had gone relatively well, but she was still unconscious. Not only did Kallie stay by Elma’s side, but she also kept a vigilant eye on the information filtering in from her men.

Edgar had taken a team to search for Jake. They scoured the banks of the river for hours, but not even a body was found. Despite this, Kallie felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. Could it be that Jake was still alive somewhere?

But Edgar felt despair creeping in. He had checked the underground river. Because Jake was injured and the current was rushing so violently, experts had warned that he was likely swept away to a deeper part of the river. Even if Jake managed to drag himself ashore, the nearby caves were damp and cold, devoid of anything, not even a hint of sunlight. Under such dire circumstances, how could a person with injuries survive? But Edgar refrained from sharing this unsettling analysis with Kallie. He feared it would be too heavy for her to bear.

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