Chapter 256 Another Encounter with Lily
In the afternoon, Evelyn swapped out her flashy ride for something more low-key and, with William tagging along, rolled up to the forest park.
Thirteen years back, she almost bit the dust here while hunting for Victoria's lost stuff in the mountains.
You'd think she'd be scarred for life, right?
But nah, Evelyn was the type who didn't back down, especially not to herself.
Since that crazy incident, she didn't get all freaked out by nature. Instead, she made it a yearly thing to come here with Joseph, patrolling the mountains and saving hikers in trouble.
At first, the other rangers thought she was just a pretty face and even bet she'd bail in a day.
But surprise, surprise! No matter how rough it got, Evelyn stuck it out without a single complaint. Her grit left a lot of dudes in awe!
William checked out Evelyn in her pro hiking gear, no makeup, through the rearview mirror.
Without her fancy clothes, she had this hidden, badass vibe.
"Evelyn, isn't hiking kinda risky? Let me come with you," William said, all worried.
"You?" Evelyn, eyes still shut, replied, "Got hiking gear? Know the safety stuff? Got the skills?"
"No, but I've surfed and dived!" William's eyes lit up, trying to impress her.
Evelyn shook her head, "Not the same thing."
William bit his lip, feeling a bit dumb.
The car rolled into Thunder Peak National Forest Park but had to stop halfway.
"Lily!"
Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. She spun around and saw Joseph walking over with David.
"Joseph." Seeing Joseph so sick and skinny, Evelyn felt a pang of sadness and her eyes got misty.
She rushed to hug Joseph, who hugged her back like she was his own kid.
"How you holding up?" Evelyn asked softly.
"Great!" Joseph grinned.
David, standing nearby, looked down, clearly bummed out.
Evelyn took a deep breath to keep it together.
She was a doctor too and knew how brutal this illness was—no appetite, puking, losing hair. Even the toughest person would be a shell of themselves.
Evelyn shot a look at William.
William got the hint and nodded, letting her know he found a top-notch doctor like she asked.
"Lily, who's this?" Joseph asked, eyeing William.
"He's my cousin," Evelyn lied smoothly.
These rangers were all about the mountains and didn't keep up with the latest gossip, so they had no clue she was the infamous Evelyn from Mugden.
"Ms. Brown, your family sure hit the genetic jackpot! Even your cousin's a looker!" Charles said, genuinely impressed.
William blushed and grinned.
'If I can't be her man, being her cousin works too,' William thought.
"Lily, the weather's been all over the place, and a storm could hit anytime." Joseph looked at her, worried. "I'm just happy to see you today. No need to go hiking."
"It's no biggie. Remember? I got a banner for being an awesome ranger!" Evelyn said, puffing out her chest proudly.
"Two amazing people in one place!" Joseph laughed.
Evelyn raised an eyebrow, "Who's the other one?"
"Mr. Wellington from the Wellington Group!" David chimed in.
Evelyn and William both asked, "Who?"
"Edward Wellington from the Wellington Group. Shocking, right?" David's eyes lit up, clearly a fan. "I only found out who he really was a couple of years ago. But with his skills, he doesn't seem like a spoiled CEO at all! Two years ago, he went up the mountain with Joseph and saved two hikers trapped by a storm, even used his own chopper to rescue them."
Evelyn pursed her lips, memories flooding back, her eyes a mix of emotions, and she mumbled something. "One amazing me is enough."
"Lily, what'd you say?" Joseph asked.
"I said Edward's a real stand-up guy who loves helping out!" Evelyn forced a smile and gave a thumbs-up.
"Yeah, Edward's a real stand-up guy. Not only does he make time every year to patrol the forest, but he also donates to Thunder Peak National Forest Park," Joseph said, smiling with relief. "I was actually hoping to introduce you two. You both love hiking and have done so much for Thunder Peak. You'd hit it off."
Evelyn felt a bit uneasy, her lips twitching. "No need for that. I'm not great with people."
In the end, Evelyn had to send William back while she followed Joseph and David towards the foot of Thunder Peak.
The whole way, Evelyn was kinda spaced out, her mind replaying memories of Edward saving her from the brink thirteen years ago.
All these years, he’d been coming back here just like her.
Weirdly enough, despite both of them patrolling the mountains, rescuing folks, and donating every year, they’d never crossed paths.
Evelyn gripped her backpack straps tightly, trudging forward with a heavy heart.
She couldn’t help but pull her lips into a bitter smile, thinking, 'Guess Edward and I are just not meant to be. Apart from that one time thirteen years ago, all the other "fates" are just my silly wishful thinking.'
They reached the foot of the mountain when a few rangers came running up in a hurry.
"Joseph! We just got a distress signal. Three hikers got separated after going up the mountain. Now, only two are back at camp, and one’s still stuck out there! We’re about to start a search and rescue!"
"Alright! I’m coming with you!" Joseph said without hesitation.
"Joseph! The weather could turn any minute, and your health is already..." David said, worried.
"It’s fine, I’m good to go!" Joseph insisted.
"Joseph, let me and David handle it!" Evelyn, worried about Joseph’s health, quickly volunteered. "I’ve worked as a field doctor. If the hiker’s in danger, I can give first aid right away!"
Hearing she’d been a field doctor, David looked at her with surprise and admiration.
"Alright then." Joseph, not wanting to be a burden, tightly grasped Evelyn’s hand. "Lily, I’m counting on you!"
Meanwhile, Edward drove solo into Thunder Peak National Forest Park.
Since he’d also switched to a low-profile car, he passed by Evelyn’s car parked at the hiking entrance without William noticing.
The black SUV rolled up to the foot of the mountain, outside the camp gate.
"Joseph?" Edward, dressed in dark green hiking gear, stepped out of the car, his sharp eyes like stars, exuding a strong masculine aura. He looked like a special forces soldier back from a mission.
"Edward!" Joseph, with a kind smile, quickly walked out to greet him. "The weather’s iffy today, and you’re usually so busy. Why’d you come over?"
"Precisely because I’m so busy. If I didn’t come today, I might not have time for a while." Edward said.
"Today must be special. My two favorite people are both here! I’m really happy." Maybe knowing his days were numbered, Joseph was filled with emotion, his throat choking up.
"Did someone else come to see you today?" Edward asked casually.
"Yeah, I wanted to introduce her to you. You two really have a connection. Not only do you both come to patrol and rescue people every year, but she also donates to us annually." Joseph said with a bright smile.
Edward, initially uninterested, became more curious. "If she’s someone you approve of and shares common interests, I wouldn’t mind meeting her."
"Unfortunately, Lily isn’t here right now. She went up the mountain with the others to search for someone!" Joseph said.
'Lily?' Edward thought, his heart skipping a beat and then pounding violently.
His whole body, along with the hazy memories in his mind, felt like they’d been hit by a strong electric current, plunging him into a state of shocked numbness.
A few seconds later, Edward tightly grabbed Joseph’s arm, staring intently at him. "Is her last name Brown?"
"Do you know her?" Joseph looked at him in surprise. "Yes, her name is Lily Brown. We’ve known each other for years!"
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