Chapter 215

Daniel Sterling's fingertips trembled slightly.

He gazed at Evelyn Sullivan's rain-drenched profile, the words buried deep in his heart nearly escaping his lips.

But in the end, he only gently pulled his sleeve free.

"Be careful."

Before Evelyn could respond, a deafening roar erupted overhead.

The helicopter's rotors churned the air, sending ripples across the water's surface.

As the cabin door opened, Ethan Sullivan's stern face came into view.

Clad in a life vest, he descended rapidly via rope, his gaze locked onto Evelyn.

Evelyn's pupils constricted.

Why was he here?

Her heart skipped a beat, a secret hope swelling uncontrollably in her chest.

"Grab it!"

Ethan hurled the lifeline toward Evelyn, his voice icy.

But she passed it to Daniel instead. "You first."

"Evelyn!"

Ethan's roar seemed to shake the water itself.

The look he gave Daniel was murderous.

"He can't swim," Evelyn explained calmly.

Daniel opened his mouth to speak, but the lifeline was already secured around him.

The rope tightened, lifting him from the water.

Ethan descended again, preparing to throw the line once more—then his expression changed abruptly.

"Look out!"

He severed the rope and plunged into the water.

Before Evelyn could react, a powerful force dragged her toward the depths.

She turned to see a ten-foot wave crashing toward them.

"Hold onto me!"

Ethan's voice fractured in the chaos of the waves.

The next instant, frigid seawater swallowed all sound.

From the helicopter, Daniel watched helplessly as the two vanished beneath the towering whitecaps.

"No—!"

He lunged for the cabin door, only to be restrained by Colin Keller.

"Get a grip!"

"Let me go! Evelyn's still down there!"

"Going after them now is suicide!" Colin barked, then shouted to the pilot, "Call the rescue team immediately!"

The cabin door slammed shut, sealing away all hope.

Daniel collapsed to his knees, his nails digging deep into his palms.

By the time the news reached Shili Village, the rain had begun to ease.

Quincy Howard punched the wall. "This is all my fault!"

Bianca Rose slipped quietly behind the house and retrieved a satellite phone hidden in her boot.

"Target confirmed missing. Survival probability... zero."

She ended the call and gazed at the now-calm sea in the distance, the ghost of a smile touching her lips.