Chapter 520 It's Yvette's Voice!
Albert's knuckles turned white as he gripped the phone, his fingers bloodless from the pressure.
"Any news about Yvette?" he asked in a low voice, not wanting David to overhear, though the hope in his voice was impossible to disguise.
"Mr. Valdemar," Clifford's voice sounded breathless. "I found her, right here on the island where I'm being treated."
Albert's heart jolted as if struck by lightning, the sensation spreading through his entire body, every cell vibrating with anticipation.
Before his thoughts could clear, his heart pounding like a drum, Clifford continued, "To avoid detection, we've moved to the southwest side of the island. Due to my condition, I can't access boats or helicopters. We have no way off the island, so we need you to send someone for us."
Albert's mind processed Clifford's words rapidly, his composure quickly returning. He took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. "Alright, I'm coming immediately."
His gaze grew resolute and intense, as if reminding himself to maintain his composure and rationality, no matter what happened.
Clifford's coughing intensified, his discomfort evident. Only after hearing Albert's response did he finally exhale with relief. "Mr. Valdemar, I've been trying to reach you for ages. Your phone kept going straight to voicemail."
The memory of those missed calls flashed through Albert's mind. With a jolt, he realized those had been Clifford's desperate attempts to reach him!
A chill ran down Albert's spine, his heart racing with regret and self-reproach washing over him like a tidal wave. He had repeatedly ignored those calls for help, forcing Yvette to endure her fear even longer.
Albert grabbed his coat and Vincent in a frenzy, bolting out the door. There was no time for hesitation—he had to rescue Yvette as quickly as possible!
He sprinted to the car where his driver, always on standby, immediately floored the accelerator.
"Is Yvette with you?" Albert asked, his chest heaving.
"Yes. I'll put her on," Clifford replied.
"Good!" Albert's heart skipped a beat. After so long, he would finally hear that voice that had haunted his dreams.
"Albert." Just one word, that familiar voice coming through the line, then abruptly cut off.
The call disconnected. Albert cursed under his breath, and when he looked up, his eyes had reddened. That was definitely Yvette's voice!
As evening approached, the salty sea breeze carried a biting chill.
Yvette and Clifford trembled continuously, their bodies—poisoned by heavy metal radiation—unable to withstand the harsh environment. They huddled against a large boulder, hoping it would provide some shelter from the wind.
Clifford's face was ashen, his body growing weaker from the prolonged wait, looking as if he might collapse at any moment.
Yvette longed for Albert's arrival but worried about Clifford's deteriorating condition. She studied his pale face and unfocused gaze, her brow furrowed with concern. "Mr. Hayes, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Clifford replied, though each breath brought the familiar taste of blood and stabbing pain in his chest. He knew he couldn't hold on much longer.
Seeing Yvette's equally pale face, he forced himself to offer reassurance. "After all this time apart, Mr. Valdemar will certainly come for you. He told me he's on his way."
Yvette nodded, her eyes glistening. "Good."
Clifford looked at her apologetically. "I'm sorry I talked too much. I should have left more time for you two to speak."
Yvette shook her head, fighting back tears. "You managed to reach him—that's impressive enough, isn't it?"
Just as she'd begun speaking to Albert, the watch phone had flickered with a low battery warning before going completely dark, shutting down.
Though disappointing, Yvette knew that as long as Albert knew where she was and could reach her before Felix and Gabrielle discovered them, they would have plenty of time to talk later.
Clifford looked up at the calm sea. "Thank God we got through."
Suddenly, a wave of dizziness overwhelmed him. He closed his eyes tightly, fighting through it.
When he opened them again, his eyes were filled with pain.
Not wanting her to see his weakness, Clifford struggled to his feet. "It's getting late. I should get back to my room."
Yvette froze. "What? Aren't you coming with me?"
"They are my parents, after all," Clifford said, his voice growing fainter. "They won't hurt me."
"But what if they find out you helped me escape?"
"It doesn't matter. They'll just yell at me, that's all."
Clifford steadied himself against the boulder, rising unsteadily, determined not to collapse in front of Yvette.
He fought to control his emotions and expression, but his body had reached its limit.
Forcing a smile, Clifford said, "If I go back, I can keep things under control, buy some time until Mr. Valdemar arrives for you."
Yvette stood up with him, reaching out to support him, but he moved away.
"I should go now," Clifford sighed. "I'm sorry to leave you waiting here alone."
Yvette shook her head. "Will you be okay?"
"I'll be fine. When Mr. Valdemar picks you up, let me know you're safe." He paused. "We'll be friends after this, won't we?"
"Of course!" Yvette's eyes welled up. "Thank you, Mr. Hayes."
Clifford smiled warmly and turned to leave.
Each step drained what little strength he had left.
Still, he pressed on, knowing he couldn't afford to collapse in her presence.
Using his last reserves of energy, Clifford supported himself against the rocks as he struggled forward.
Finally, after rounding a large boulder, he disappeared from Yvette's view.
Clifford leaned heavily against the stone, as if it were the only thing keeping him upright in the world.
Suddenly, warm liquid gushed from his nose—blood pouring out like a broken dam.
He covered his nose with his hand, but the blood seeped relentlessly through his fingers.
His consciousness faded, his body growing weaker by the second, feeling as if he might black out at any moment.
Just as he could no longer hold himself up, a blurry figure rushed toward him.
"Mr. Hayes!"
Clifford collapsed heavily to the ground.
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