Chapter 233 None of My Business
Although everyone knew that Adrian and Natalie were missing in the forest, the full story wasn't clear until Rachel's revelation. Her words about Adrian risking his life to save the maid caused everyone's expressions to shift to confusion.
Jamie looked around. "Where's Colby?"
Daniel said, "He's on the island with Loren, looking for people."
Jamie nodded and told one of his men, "I'm heading to the island. Daniel, you stay here."
Rachel grabbed his hand. "Jamie, it's raining and the waves are big. The trip to Pearl Island isn't safe."
Jamie, however, wasn't swayed by Rachel's concerns. He barely acknowledged her presence, shrugged off her hand, and turned to leave.
Rachel tried to follow but was stopped by one of Jamie's men. "Ms. Howard, please go back to your room and rest."
Rachel reluctantly turned back.
Despite the strong wind and waves, Jamie made it to Pearl Island.
Loren, in a raincoat, greeted him. "Mr. Lawson! What brings you here?"
In the command center, Jamie looked at the satellite map on the computer. "Still no sign of them?"
"No signal deep in the forest. Mr. Johnson's men are in there, sending signals from three routes. They're moving towards the center," Loren said.
"We should find them by dawn," Loren added.
Jamie said, "I need complete assurance. We must find them."
Loren, through gritted teeth, replied, "Understood!"
Jamie stared at the rainy night, gripping his cane. He focused on a blue flare in the sky. Loren quickly identified it. "That's Mr. Johnson's signal flare. It's on the south-north route 06, deep in the forest."
The rain had eased. Natalie's clothes were half-dry, so she put them on.
She checked Adrian's hand again. It was swollen and turning purple. The venom was strong. Despite her treatment, Adrian had a high fever. The herbs only made him a bit more comfortable.
Adrian had been bitten because of her.
Therefore, Natalie felt guilty.
"I heard from Alice that your mother is sick," Adrian said in the silence.
"What else did Alice tell you?" Natalie smiled sarcastically. "Did she say she and Avery paid for my mom's treatment? How touching."
She looked towards the cave entrance. "My mom has kidney failure and needs money to survive."
Adrian asked, "Did you sell yourself for that?"
Natalie clenched her fist. "Mr. Howard, are you going to ask who I sold myself to? If I said it was you, would you believe me?"
Her tone was a mix of mockery and sarcasm. Adrian, assuming she was half-joking, didn't believe. Having lived abroad and only returned to Vachilit four months ago, he'd been drugged and spent a night with Alice. Their first intimate encounter had been at Ardentia University's anniversary celebration, where Natalie had drugged him.
By that time, Natalie was no longer a virgin.
Adrian said nothing more.
Natalie spoke softly, "Mr. Howard, does it matter to you who I had my first sexual encounter with, who I sold myself to, or whose child it is?"
Adrian said, "It doesn't concern me."
Natalie asked, "Then, Mr. Howard, why do you care so much about me?"
Adrian clenched his fist and thought, 'Yes, why do I care? Natalie's chaotic and promiscuous private life has nothing to do with me!'
Natalie continued, "Or is it, Mr. Howard, that you have feelings for me..."
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