Chapter 213

"I'm trained in first aid. I heard Chief Vincent was injured and came to check."

Evelyn Sullivan took the disinfectant supplies from Daniel Sterling's hands and efficiently cleaned Vincent Cruz's wound.

Ten minutes later, the wound was bandaged. As she closed the first aid kit, a villager rushed in, panicked.

"Autumn went home to grab something and hasn't returned! The floodwaters have already reached her house!"

The room fell silent. Everyone exchanged uneasy glances.

Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't hesitate to help. But with the raging flood and none of them knowing how to swim, going out now would be suicide.

Daniel suddenly stood. "I'll go."

Evelyn immediately stepped forward. "I'm coming with you."

"No!" His voice was sharp. "It's too dangerous!"

"And it's not dangerous for you alone?"

"You're not going. That's final."

Seeing his resolve, Evelyn pressed her lips together. "Fine."

Daniel's figure soon disappeared into the rain. Evelyn asked for Autumn's home location and turned to leave.

Vincent, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "I didn't say anything earlier because I didn't want to pressure anyone into risking their lives. But if even Miss Sullivan, an outsider, is willing to help, will you all just stand by and watch?"

Evelyn glanced back calmly. "Chief Cruz, this is my choice. Daniel and I will bring Autumn back safely."

These past few days, Autumn had always brought extra supplies for her. That kindness hadn't gone unnoticed.

For anyone else, she might have stayed out of it. Survival was instinct during disasters.

Her figure gradually faded into the rain.

When she reached Autumn's home, the floodwaters had already submerged half the house.

Daniel was waist-deep in water, struggling forward with a wooden plank. Autumn huddled on it, soaked and shivering.

Spotting Evelyn, Daniel's pupils constricted. "I told you not to come!"

Ignoring him, Evelyn dove into the water and swam to them.

"I'll take Autumn to shore first. You can't swim, can you?"

The water had risen to Daniel's chest. Any delay would put them both in greater danger.

"Get her to safety. I'll figure something out."

Without another word, Evelyn wrapped an arm around Autumn and fought her way toward the bank.

The downpour blurred her vision, but Daniel knew her eyes held the same determination as that night three years ago.

When an investor had forced him to kneel and toast, she'd shattered her glass and extended a hand. "Want to be my artist?"

A twenty-year-old girl, yet her eyes had shone like stars. He'd taken that hand and stepped out of the darkness.

The water kept rising—past his chin, his lips, his nose...

Seeing Evelyn reach the shore safely, Daniel finally exhaled in relief.

Evelyn set Autumn down and turned, but Daniel was nowhere in sight.

Her face paled. "Autumn, go to Grandpa Howard's house. I need to find your brother Daniel."

Autumn clutched her sleeve, tears streaming. "Sister Evelyn, will Daniel die? I don't want him to leave..."