Chapter 474 Grace is Dead
Riley's brow furrowed, ready to command the bodyguards to pull her to safety, but Patricia signaled them to wait.
Grace's grip was faltering, sweat beading and trickling from every pore, and her speech stammered.
Patricia leaned over the railing, smirking at the desperate figure below. She mimicked the tone Grace had used in the prison, dragging out her words, "Oh, you want us to save you?"
Grace’s expression turned to one of confusion and disbelief.
Patricia chuckled cruelly. "Well, then you better tell us—what’s this secret about the Koch family you mentioned?"
Grace, enraged, went pale even as the veins in her face stood out, a frightening, ghastly sight.
Patricia's fingers idly drummed against the rail. "Looks like you're barely holding on. We may be close to the docks, but these waters are deep, easily over ten feet. And with today's choppy waves, if you fall, you might die down there. So, how about it? Would you like to share your secret with us?"
Grace bit her lower lip and cast a glance down at the raging sea. She caught sight of a wave engulfing some floating debris, a chilling realization of her fate should she plunge in.
"You promise? If I tell you the secret, you'll pull me up?" Grace said.
Patricia retorted, "You can trust us to keep our word. Not like you, always spinning tales and breaking promises."
Grace realized she had no leverage to negotiate. The trade was her only lifeline. Her arms were at their limit, and her palms were burning with pain.
"I'll tell—the secret... it's about Elise, she..." Her words were cut off as a gust swept over her. Her body swayed, and her grip on the railing weakened significantly.
Sensing the imminent danger, Patricia called out urgently, "She's slipping. Someone grab her—"
Her warning was cut short by another powerful gust. Grace's form swayed precariously, and as the wind howled, her weakened grasp failed her, and she fell.
Patricia, acting on impulse, stretched out her hand in a desperate attempt to catch her. "No!" she exclaimed, as her fingers merely grazed Grace's.
But it was in vain. She could only watch in dismay as Grace fell into the churning waters below, her eyes filled with fear.
"Save me..."
The sea claimed her with a splash, and a large wave quickly engulfed her, muffling her cries for help.
Frozen in shock, Patricia could only stare as the sea enveloped Grace, the waves erasing all traces of her presence.
Martin was the first to spring into action, urging Riley, "We need to launch a rescue, now!"
Riley wasted no time, commanding his security team, "Initiate search and rescue immediately!"
Despite the urgency in their voices, the grim reality hung heavy; the chances of Grace's survival were slim. The vast distance from the shore compounded by the depth and the rough sea conditions made the prospects of finding her bleak—a rescue attempt seemed almost futile.
The security team sprang into action, relaying instructions as they moved to coordinate the search.
Patricia remained by the railing, her body quivering, whether from the cold wind or the shock of the event.
Martin, sensing her distress, gently took her hand, his touch revealing her cold, trembling fingers. He enveloped her in a comforting embrace, murmuring, "Patricia, you can't blame yourself. She was the architect of her fate."
Patricia's response was a soft, guilt-ridden denial, "But if only Riley had acted sooner... It's my fault, I..."
Martin tightened his hold, offering solace with a steady pat on her back, "No, it's not on you. She faced the consequences of her choices."
Her body shivered uncontrollably with fear. "She may have deserved her fate, but with her passing, the secret she held dies too. Now, we will never find out."
If the secret held potential harm for the Koch family and Riley had been unable to take preventive measures, Patricia feared she might have unwittingly brought calamity upon them.
Martin tried to console her. "We still have Grandpa. What if he wakes up?"
Patricia looked lost. Sure, it would be great if Grandpa woke up. But what if he never did? The thought of being remembered as a villain in the Koch family's annals troubled her deeply.
Riley, perceiving her inner turmoil, provided reassurance, "The secret was meant to remain between her and Grandpa. With her gone, it stays buried—a forever untold mystery. You bear no fault in this, and even if the secret were to emerge, I doubt it could significantly impact the Koch Group."
Martin added his support, "The Koch Group has stood resilient for decades. Have faith in their strength and resilience."
Comforted by their words, Patricia, her eyes downcast and filled with remorse, addressed Riley, "I'm sorry. Despite everything, she was your aunt's daughter, and I played a part in her misfortune."
Her intention had been for Grace to face justice, not to lose her life.
Riley, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, offered a different perspective, "Consider the possibility that my aunt deemed her unworthy of life, taking matters into her own hands."
Patricia looked confused by his remark.
Noticing her delayed understanding, a gentle smile spread across Riley’s lips. "I’m just kidding! From the moment she started plotting to kill our grandfather, she ceased to be my aunt's daughter. So, you shouldn’t blame yourself. If anything, I should thank you. Without you, we wouldn't have seen her true colors and would have continued to be fooled by her."
Patricia realized he had quite the knack for comfort. Riley's words eased her guilt considerably.
Martin said, "It’s getting dark and chilly out here. I’ll drive you back to the hotel. They’ll let us know if there’s any news from the search party."
Patricia initially wanted to refuse, but she couldn’t bear making Martin worry on her behalf. After hesitating, she reluctantly nodded in agreement.
Riley directed the driver to escort Patricia and Martin to their hotel, choosing to remain behind with Sebastian, awaiting news from the search effort.
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