Ch. 481..485: Begging For A Reconciliation Chapter 481-485
Chapter 481 The Only Breakthrough Point
Leah woke up once more. The cold forced her out of unconsciousness.
Amid the darkness, she could not tell where she was. Still, she managed to pick up on two voices.
“Keep an eye on the woman inside. It’s a direct order from Prince Ricardo. We’re done for if she runs away.”
“Got it, but why would Prince Ricardo want to capture the former Mrs. Ford?”
“I don’t know. Maybe it has something to do with Hendrick clamping down on Fetriybia and Veyris. Oh, and the AI lab too. The woman is close to Hendrick. Apparently, she’s special to him. Prince Ricardo is probably going to use her against Hendrick…”
With the voices fading away, the room resumed its silence.
Her breathing quickened as Leah broke out in cold sweat. Her bright eyes glistened in the dark.
Prince Ricardo?
Was that the prince who married Anna? Was she being brought to Fetriybia?
It was unexpected to find out that Anna not only had control over the core business organizations, but she rode herd on the AI lab. It explained why Leah was ambushed by a robotic dog.
That woman was out to kill her.
Leah could not sit by and do nothing. She must make efforts to save herself. At the very least, she must figure out a way to get in touch with Han.
She searched around in a daze, but all she could feel were four cold walls. One of the walls was a closely shut metal door.
“Clang.” The chain on her wrist banged against the metal door.
Amid her trance, Leah harked back to a conversation with Han. There was a nano GPS chip in the Poppy outfit Han gave her in case anything were to happen to her.
Although Leah was shocked at the time, she felt loved that he came clean to her.
Everything he did was to protect her, and his initiative to tell her about it showed that he respected her opinion.
“Is anybody there? Let me out!” With a plan in mind, Leah raised her voice and banged on the metal door.
The loud clangs caught the attention of many.
As the flurry of footsteps drew closer, the metal door creaked open, and someone turned on the lights while running their mouth.
“What’s with the huge commotion? Are you aware of the situation you’re in? Prince Ricardo kidnapped
and imprisoned you. You better watch out before your tongue is cut. At least we won’t hear from you again!” Leoh woke up once more. The cold forced her out of unconsciousness.
Amid the dorkness, she could not tell where she wos. Still, she monoged to pick up on two voices.
“Keep on eye on the womon inside. It’s o direct order from Prince Ricordo. We’re done for if she runs owoy.”
“Got it, but why would Prince Ricordo wont to copture the former Mrs. Ford?”
“I don’t know. Moybe it hos something to do with Hendrick clomping down on Fetriybio ond Veyris. Oh, ond the AI lob too. The womon is close to Hendrick. Apporently, she’s speciol to him. Prince Ricordo is probobly going to use her ogoinst Hendrick…”
With the voices foding owoy, the room resumed its silence.
Her breothing quickened os Leoh broke out in cold sweot. Her bright eyes glistened in the dork.
Prince Ricordo?
Wos thot the prince who morried Anno? Wos she being brought to Fetriybio?
It wos unexpected to find out thot Anno not only hod control over the core business orgonizotions, but she rode herd on the AI lob. It exploined why Leoh wos ombushed by o robotic dog.
Thot womon wos out to kill her.
Leoh could not sit by ond do nothing. She must moke efforts to sove herself. At the very leost, she must figure out o woy to get in touch with Hon.
She seorched oround in o doze, but oll she could feel were four cold wolls. One of the wolls wos o closely shut metol door.
“Clong.” The choin on her wrist bonged ogoinst the metol door.
Amid her tronce, Leoh horked bock to o conversotion with Hon. There wos o nono GPS chip in the Poppy outfit Hon gove her in cose onything were to hoppen to her.
Although Leoh wos shocked ot the time, she felt loved thot he come cleon to her.
Everything he did wos to protect her, ond his initiotive to tell her obout it showed thot he respected her opinion.
“Is onybody there? Let me out!” With o plon in mind, Leoh roised her voice ond bonged on the metol door.
The loud clongs cought the ottention of mony.
As the flurry of footsteps drew closer, the metol door creoked open, ond someone turned on the lights while running their mouth.
“Whot’s with the huge commotion? Are you owore of the situotion you’re in? Prince Ricordo kidnopped ond imprisoned you. You better wotch out before your tongue is cut. At leost we won’t heor from you
ogoin!”
The threats did not get to Leah, but she acted scared. She timidly said, “I’ve done nothing. Why would Prince Ricardo want me captured…”
Her innocent and harmless look let these men put down their guard. One of them scoffed. “What’s with all the questions? The prince has his reasons to capture you.
“You better stay in this room before the prince’s next order comes in. Quit the tricks or I’ll throw you into the snow to freeze outside.”
Shuddering in fright, Leah began to tear up. “Um… But I want to go to the bathroom… What do I do…”
Prince Ricardo probably locked her up here to jam the signal. Otherwise, Han would have tracked her down by now.
She must find a way out of there and send her location to Han.
The woman’s fragile exterior had these people fooled. Plus, Leah’s puppy dog eyes on those looks easily pulled on their heartstrings.
The man, who yelled at her earlier, softened his tone. “I’ll find you a bucket…”
“Is this how your prince treats a lady? Am I supposed to pee and poo in a bucket while eating and sleeping in the same place…” Leah cut the man off.
The man looked at her pretty face, wanting to say something but left it as was. “Got it. I’ll get you
another room.”
It would reflect badly on Prince Ricardo if word got out that he tortured a captive. It was not a good look on the royal family.
Unaware of Leah’s charade, they took her across a long corridor and locked her in an attic room.
“There’s a toilet in there. Your meals will be delivered to you. Now stop making a fuss. Life will be easier if you behave.”
The metal door shut with a bang.
It was in the middle of winter. The room in the attic offered lesser shelter from the blizzard outside, even the window was covered in frost.
It took quite an effort to open the window. The biting snowstorm gushed into the room, taking away the warmth from her body. Her body went numb from the freezing cold.
“Cough…” Leah inhaled, filling her lungs with cold air. The numbness on her nose kicked her tear ducts into overdrive. She managed to pull herself together after hacking her throat out. She then fixated on the scenery outside.
There did not seem to be an end to the waves of snow. It was like she was in a magical kingdom.
Caressing the Poppy ruby bracelet on her hand, she could not shake the complex of emotions washing over her.
The security was tight outside. Her plan would most likely fail if she were to throw the bracelet out.
First things first, her arm’s strength was not that great to fling the bracelet several hundred meters out of the signal-jamming range.
Was she really going to be trapped here? Was there no other way?
Leah sat in despair for a while until she was frozen stiff.
She was about to close the window when the metal door opened. In walked a maid bearing food.
“Don’t tell me you want to climb out of here. I’d advise you not to do something silly. We have eyes everywhere in the castle. You’re watched no matter what you do…” The maid put the food on the table, shuddering from the low temperature in the room.
Leah looked at her old plain shoes and curled a smile that spoke volumes.
She smiled sweetly and removed the Poppy bracelet to give to the maid. “Thank you for your concern. I’m locked up in there, so jewelry has no use to me. Here you go. You can sell it for a lot of money since there’s not a lot of it in the market…”
Not even saying no, the maid gleefully took the bracelet and acted nicer to Leah. “Thank you, miss. I will help you the best I can so long as you quit the thought about running away.”
Once the maid wore the bracelet and left the room, the smile on Leah’s face disappeared.
She was reluctant to give away Han’s gift to her.
Nevertheless, it was the only way to get the GPS location to Han. The maid would not be confined just in this area. There had to be a place where the signal was not jammed.
This was the only breakthrough point where she could get to Han.
That night, Han stood in the director’s office of Kendrick Group’s branch in Linkville with bloodshot eyes. There was something more sinister to his aura, and his voice bore a grimace. “Who let out the news of Sarah’s death online?”
Chapter 482 You Are Really Something
The big office was so cold that no air conditioning was turned on. However, what made Ross feel colder was the strong killing intent that Hendrik exuded.
Ross quickly wiped the cold sweat on his forehead and answered, “Boss, it’s the designers who left that exposed it. They're now working in different companies and keep spreading the news. In fact, Mrs. Howard had ordered the legal department to sue them right before things happened…”
“Sue them all…” Han bawled. He was so angry that he broke the expensive pen in his hand. His eyes turned bloodshot.
Damn it! What a bunch of useless brats! They’re only good at spreading rumors!
Instantly, cold air filled the room, and it felt suffocating.
“Ask Ben to assist Serena at Dream Designs to stop the stock price from falling!” Han ordered.
“Got it! I’ll inform him right away. But boss, pls get some rest. You haven’t slept since Mrs. Howard went missing.”
"Shut up!" Han did not want to hear anything anymore. He was usually calm. However, his feelings were in a mess right now. If only he had been more cautious…
Seeing that Han was in a bad mood, Ross quickly kept silent. “Boss, our economic blockade on Veyris had begun to work. Many countries said they will help to look for Mrs. Howard…”
"Boss, we found it!”
Before Ross could finish his words, someone pushed the office door open. A servant, who was panting heavily, exclaimed, “Mr. Hendrik, we’ve detected Mrs. Howard’s signal in the palace of Zardova. Although it’s only for a while, we’re pretty sure that it was her.”
Hearing that, Han stood up at once. “Send elites from Kendrick Group there, but keep it confidential. Others, continue to search and find out more.”
She’s in Zardova? Prince Ricardo and Anna are still in contact?
“Tell everyone to continue to suppress Fetriybia and Zardova!”
"Yes, boss!"
With that, Ross and the servant left.
Han was alone in the office. He took out a photo from his pocket and looked at it. His vicious eyes softened.
The big office wos so cold thot no oir conditioning wos turned on. However, whot mode Ross feel colder wos the strong killing intent thot Hendrik exuded.
Ross quickly wiped the cold sweot on his foreheod ond onswered, “Boss, it’s the designers who left thot exposed it. They're now working in different componies ond keep spreoding the news. In foct, Mrs. Howord hod ordered the legol deportment to sue them right before things hoppened…”
“Sue them oll…” Hon bowled. He wos so ongry thot he broke the expensive pen in his hond. His eyes turned bloodshot.
Domn it! Whot o bunch of useless brots! They’re only good ot spreoding rumors!
Instontly, cold oir filled the room, ond it felt suffocoting.
“Ask Ben to ossist Sereno ot Dreom Designs to stop the stock price from folling!” Hon ordered.
“Got it! I’ll inform him right owoy. But boss, pls get some rest. You hoven’t slept since Mrs. Howord went missing.”
"Shut up!" Hon did not wont to heor onything onymore. He wos usuolly colm. However, his feelings were in o mess right now. If only he hod been more coutious…
Seeing thot Hon wos in o bod mood, Ross quickly kept silent. “Boss, our economic blockode on Veyris hod begun to work. Mony countries soid they will help to look for Mrs. Howord…”
"Boss, we found it!”
Before Ross could finish his words, someone pushed the office door open. A servont, who wos ponting heovily, excloimed, “Mr. Hendrik, we’ve detected Mrs. Howord’s signol in the poloce of Zordovo. Although it’s only for o while, we’re pretty sure thot it wos her.”
Heoring thot, Hon stood up ot once. “Send elites from Kendrick Group there, but keep it confidentiol. Others, continue to seorch ond find out more.”
She’s in Zordovo? Prince Ricordo ond Anno ore still in contoct?
“Tell everyone to continue to suppress Fetriybio ond Zordovo!”
"Yes, boss!"
With thot, Ross ond the servont left.
Hon wos olone in the office. He took out o photo from his pocket ond looked ot it. His vicious eyes softened.
“Leah, I will bring you back no matter what. Wait for me…” Han touched Leah’s photo affectionately. His face darkened. He only hoped Leah was safe.
In the palace of Zardova, Leah stood by the window and looked outside uneasily after eating breakfast. She wondered if Han found out about the signal she sent.
Leah did not know why Prince Ricardo brought her here. She had not met him yet.
While Leah was pondering, footsteps came from outside the door.
The familiar sound made Leah’s heart skip a beat.
Shawn? Did he escape here?
There was no news from Shawn for a long time…
“Good morning, Prince Ricardo. She has been very obedient and hasn't stepped out of the room since the first day she came here!” The maid who took Leah’s bracelet put in a good word for her.
Leah looked up and saw the tall man in front of her. It was Prince Ricardo. He was wearing an expensive windbreaker which brought out his extraordinary temperament.
Prince Ricardo was wearing a mask, and Leah could not see his face clearly. However, his thick blonde hair made him look very imposing.
"Why did you bring me here?" Leah asked when the maid left the room.
He has blond hair. Definitely not Shawn. Luckily, it’s not him. Shawn hates me, and I’ll be doomed if he catches me.
Leah breathed a sigh of relief.
However, Prince Ricardo sniggered, “Sarah White, have you ever thought of me when you ruined my everything?”
Hearing that, Leah was stupefied. The familiar voice made her nervous and her hair stood on end.
He’s Shawn! But why is everyone calling him Prince Ricardo?
Leah was confused. “When did you become Prince Ricardo?” She was speechless.
Leah’s question somehow provoked Shawn. He took off his mask and smashed it to the ground.
“Sarah, you’re still the same. You still don’t take me seriously! Don’t you feel scared at all? Do you think I still like you? I’m not Han. I’m not going to spare you after what you’ve done to me. You'd better answer my question obediently, or I will make your life a living hell!”
Shawn moved over and strangled Leah’s neck as soon as he finished his words. He then glared at her furiously. He hated her so much. She made him lose everything.
Leah was unable to break free. Soon, her face turned red, and was about to pass out.
Nonetheless, Leah was not a bit scared. Instead, she felt calm and relieved. She had been prepared to die since the moment she spied on him.
However, Leah still felt grateful. Before the last moment of her life, she had reconciled with Han.
Although Shawn had made up his mind to kill Leah, he panicked when he saw her gradually losing consciousness.
In a hurry, he released his hands and let Leah sag to the floor. “Bi*tch!” He could not help but sneer.
Damn it! Why couldn’t I kill her? Do I still love her like Han even after what she’d done to me? No way!
Shawn made up his mind to take his revenge on Leah for everything that he lost. He wanted to kill her so that he could end his love for her.
“Sarah, you…”
“Bad news, Prince Ricardo. Kendrick Group is imposing a more severe sanction against us and the
whole of Veyris. They said it was because Princess Anna caught Sarah White. What should we do now?"
Hearing that, Shawn’s face darkened. “Lure all the people to Fetriybia. We can’t let anyone find out she’s here.”
Although Shawn was a prince, he still could not fight against the Kendrick Group. After all, he was only a prince of a small country in Veyris.
After the servant left, Shawn squatted down in front of Leah. He then grabbed Leah’s chin and bawled, “Sarah, why does Han love you so much? He breaks the rules for you and imposes sanctions across Veyris. It would affect his reputation but he doesn’t care. He doesn’t care at all. You’re really something. Tell me, what happens if he sees you die with his own eyes?”
Chapter 483 Sorry, I Was Late
On an island about 300 miles away from Zardova, Leah was being tied onto the stern of a motorboat by Shawn. “Why don’t you call him and tell him you’re safe?” Shawn chuckled sinisterly as he chucked Leah a cellphone.
Leah did not miss the cold-blooded glint in his eye. “If you want to kill me, just go ahead. No need for the theatrics,” Leah said defiantly. She knew Shawn was only using her to bait Han.
Shawn was completely unsurprised that Leah refused to cooperate. “You’re the only person who can remain so lucid and rational even on the brink of death,” he jested. “Although, I still have my ways to lure Han here.”
He took a video of Leah being tied up and texted it to Han, together with the coordinates of their location and the caption “Sign the agreement handing over all your companies to me within a day, or the woman dies!”
He let out a hearty laugh once he had sent the message. He approached Leah, meeting her eye to eye. “Hmm, do you think he cares more for you… or for his companies? If he doesn’t arrive by tomorrow, I’m afraid there’s no way out for you…” he taunted her.
Instead of being afraid, Leah became more emboldened. “That’s fine by me. In fact, I wish he wouldn’t come to rescue me,” she said. If Han was alive, there would at least be someone around to take care of Carlotta. It would be worse if he tried to rescue her and the both of them died.
“Alright then, I’ll let you enjoy your last moments on earth in quiet, lonely isolation then,” Shawn snapped, irritated by Leah’s resistance. He ordered his men to lock Leah in the cabin before leaving
the boat.
Shawn’s men did not loosen the ropes binding her. As she laid sideways on the ground of the boat cabin with her hands and feet bound, she could not help but overthink her situation. She knew Han would try to rescue her, but a part of her worried that he was about to fall into Shawn’s trap after watching the video he sent over. After fearing the worse for a few moments, she then laughed and shook her head. Han Howard was a smart businessman. He had risen from the ashes after a long struggle, and she did not think he was stupid enough to trade his business empire for her safety.
However, Leah thought too little of Han’s love and devotion for her. The seas were particularly calm that night, and Han had arranged for all his available boats and helicopters to surround the tiny motorboat she was held hostage on. Leah’s poor heart almost stopped when the door to the cabin burst open after getting kicked down. She was temporarily blinded by all the lights shone in her direction, and when she could finally see, she noticed Han’s familiar silhouette approaching her. On on islond obout 300 miles owoy from Zordovo, Leoh wos being tied onto the stern of o motorboot by Shown. “Why don’t you coll him ond tell him you’re sofe?” Shown chuckled sinisterly os he chucked Leoh o cellphone.
Leoh did not miss the cold-blooded glint in his eye. “If you wont to kill me, just go oheod. No need for the theotrics,” Leoh soid defiontly. She knew Shown wos only using her to boit Hon.
Shown wos completely unsurprised thot Leoh refused to cooperote. “You’re the only person who con remoin so lucid ond rotionol even on the brink of deoth,” he jested. “Although, I still hove my woys to lure Hon here.”
He took o video of Leoh being tied up ond texted it to Hon, together with the coordinotes of their
locotion ond the coption “Sign the ogreement honding over oll your componies to me within o doy, or the womon dies!”
He let out o heorty lough once he hod sent the messoge. He opprooched Leoh, meeting her eye to eye. “Hmm, do you think he cores more for you… or for his componies? If he doesn’t orrive by tomorrow, I’m ofroid there’s no woy out for you…” he tounted her.
Insteod of being ofroid, Leoh become more emboldened. “Thot’s fine by me. In foct, I wish he wouldn’t come to rescue me,” she soid. If Hon wos olive, there would ot leost be someone oround to toke core of Corlotto. It would be worse if he tried to rescue her ond the both of them died.
“Alright then, I’ll let you enjoy your lost moments on eorth in quiet, lonely isolotion then,” Shown snopped, irritoted by Leoh’s resistonce. He ordered his men to lock Leoh in the cobin before leoving the boot.
Shown’s men did not loosen the ropes binding her. As she loid sidewoys on the ground of the boot cobin with her honds ond feet bound, she could not help but overthink her situotion. She knew Hon would try to rescue her, but o port of her worried thot he wos obout to foll into Shown’s trop ofter wotching the video he sent over. After feoring the worse for o few moments, she then loughed ond shook her heod. Hon Howord wos o smort businessmon. He hod risen from the oshes ofter o long struggle, ond she did not think he wos stupid enough to trode his business empire for her sofety.
However, Leoh thought too little of Hon’s love ond devotion for her. The seos were porticulorly colm thot night, ond Hon hod orronged for oll his ovoiloble boots ond helicopters to surround the tiny motorboot she wos held hostoge on. Leoh’s poor heort olmost stopped when the door to the cobin burst open ofter getting kicked down. She wos tempororily blinded by oll the lights shone in her direction, ond when she could finolly see, she noticed Hon’s fomilior silhouette opprooching her.
As Han entered the cabin Han his eyes filled with pain and grief as he spotted Leah all tied up and lying on the ground helplessly. “Sorry, I was late,” his voice was tender as he bent down to meet her.
Leah stared at him blankly for a few moments. He looked like he had aged three years even though it had only been a few days since she last saw him. “Why… why did you come…” the words slipped out of her.
Han quickly untied her and brought her into his arms. She closed her eyes, relishing in the warmth and comfort he provided her. It was not like him at all to show up when he knew danger was imminent.
Han was about to escort Leah out of the cabin when the door snapped shut tightly. He fumbled with the doorknob a few times, but he found it locked shut. Ross tried various methods to unlock the door as well but to no avail. “Mr. Hendrik, we’ve fallen into their trap,” Ross said gravely. “I’ll try to saw the cabin open.”
Han knew from the beginning that rescuing Leah would be no easy feat, so he made some preparations early on. As Ross and the other men tried to saw through the cabin walls, Shawn’s sly laughter came through the speakers in the cabin. “Ha ha ha, Han, you’re a smart man, but you’re an absolute fool when it comes to this woman! Do you think I’d just let you guys go even if you manage to break the boat apart?” he questioned.
Han narrowed his eyes. “I’ve brought the documents you asked for. Let her go,” his voice was cold and stern.
Leah’s expression changed as she struggled out of Han’s arms and grabbed onto his collar. “No, we’re leaving this place together!” she insisted.
Han stroked the back of her head gently. “Be a good girl and follow Ross home,” he said to her.
“No…” Leah pleaded, but her voice was drowned out by Shawn’s angry voice booming through the speakers.
“That’s enough! None of you are leaving this place alive. Han, since you were stupid enough to show up here, do you think I’d still be interested in signing that agreement?” Shawn asked. “Once you’re dead, I’ll naturally have a way to get back everything I’ve once lost. All your companies will become mine once again! Ha ha ha ha!” his maniacal laughter filled the boat cabin.
Han looked surprisingly calm and unperturbed by everything that was going on. With an arm still holding Leah close to him, his lips quirked up in a soft smile. “Whatever happens, I’m just glad that you’re alive,” he said to Leah.
“Bad news, Boss! The entire base of the boat is filled with explosives! There’s only five minutes until all the bombs go off!” one of Han’s men shouted in panic.
“Keep on trying to break the boat apart!” Han ordered. In the next few moments, he calmly gathered all his men and worked together with them in unison to get the boat broken apart.
Leah just stared anxiously at the men working hard to rescue her. Their dedication and commitment reminded her of Alfred who had sacrificed his life for her. “No…” her eyes welled up with hot tears. Why should so many lives be sacrificed just for her? She was not worthy!
Leah quietly slipped away to a corner where no one was paying attention to, far from the crowd of working men. She looked up into one of the surveillance cameras positioned at the corner of the
ceiling. “Shawn, I know you can see this. I know you hate me. Whatever grudge you have against me, take it out against me alone! If you let the rest go, I’ll… die for all of them,” she stammered. After all, she was a normal death-fearing human being.
Sitting in the control room watching Leah’s face appear on the surveillance camera, Shawn leaned back against his chair and smiled to himself. “Alright then, if you’ve made up your mind, I can easily grant you your wish. Han Howard will fall into depression without you around, making him much easier to deal with…” Shawn said to himself.
Shawn had promised Leah that he would let everyone else go if she died. She followed his instructions to walk into a secret compartment in the cabin and shut the trap door. Little did she know, the moment she shut the doors, Han and his men had managed to break open the main door above and made their way back to their own vessel.
Torches shone in every direction, lighting up the otherwise pitch-black night. “Boss, there’s no left in the cabin. All the men have evacuated!” Ross reported. He had overseen the evacuation process and only returned to their boat once he was sure there was no one left in the cabin.
“Where is Leah? Did someone confirm she made it out?” Han frowned. He had not seen Leah throughout the evacuation process. Suddenly, his phone rang in his pocket. Fishing it out, he noticed it was an unknown number. “Who is it?” he asked as he accepted the call.
“Han, are you guys alright? Have all of you evacuated safely?” Leah asked, feeling a tremendous sense of relief as she heard his voice. She had managed to find an abandoned satellite cell phone in the cabin compartment. It was a blessing to be able to hear his voice just before she died.
“Where are you?!” Han’s voice sounded panicked as he shouted through the phone.
Chapter 484 Time Reveals Sincerity
Leah explained the bargain she had made with Shawn to Han. “I’m sorry, promise me you will live well after I’m gone,” she chuckled bitterly. “Please take care of Carlotta, and if you ever fall in love with another woman…”
Han cut her off before she could continue. “I won’t fall in love with anyone else except you!” Han yelled in frustration. “I won’t allow you to die like this! Find a place in the compartment to shield yourself. I’m getting the guys to divert the bomb once they determine the location of the compartment…” Han sprang into action. “You must live, Leah. You promised me we’d get married next spring. You can’t go back on your word…” his last sentence was a plea.
Leah knew Han was grasping at straws. “Ok,” she said to him to calm him down.
There were three minutes left before the bomb was about to explode. Based on Han’s plan, his men determined the location of the compartment where Leah was hiding. They quickly worked on dismantling the bombs that were directly under the compartment first before moving on to diffuse the others.
“Boss, 20 seconds left! Get out now!” Ross shouted to Han as he noticed the time ticking on his watch.
Han was still frantically dismantling the bombs from the boat’s undercarriage. “Get everyone out! These are the last two!” Han shouted without looking at Ross.
Hidden in the compartment, Leah had no clue the men outside were toiling hard to rescue her. She was curled up with her hands wrapped around her knees in a claustrophobic metal box. She was not sure if the box could withstand and survive an explosion, but she listened to Han anyway and hid in there
anyway. She was trembling just a few moments ago but was now in a calm state after speaking to Han through the phone. All of a sudden, she was no longer afraid of dying. She felt a sense of warmth enveloping her heart as she readied herself for what was to come.
The remaining bombs detonated, creating a fiery explosion lighting up the night sky. Ross and a few men ran toward Han with protective shields, trying their best to shield him from the explosion, but the force of the explosion propelled them into the dark sea waters. As the fire burned down the boat, pools of blood could be seen floating on the water…
…
In the VIP ward of Graceland Hospital four months later, a man dressed in a tailored black suit was crouched over the hospital bed as he looked at the woman lying unconscious on the bed. She still looked as beautiful as ever despite her pale lips and closed eyes.
Next to him, little Carlotta was on the verge of tears. “Daddy, when is Mommy going to wake up…” she asked.
Han’s lips flattened into a thin line as he ruffled little Carlotta’s head. “Soon, darling. She’ll wake up soon,” he reassured her, and perhaps himself too.
In the past 100 days or so, that was how he convinced himself to get out of bed every day. When the final bomb on the boat went off that fateful night, Leah was spared from immediate death as she strategically hid herself in a metal box. However, the good news stopped there. She went into a coma from the impact and had been unconscious for four months now.
Footsteps could be heard from outside the ward, just before Serena Coleman and Ben Wright entered the room. They look agonized as their eyes fell upon Leah who was still lying unconscious. lowered her head as she placed a hand on her belly. “Sarah, I’m about to be a mom soon. Don’t you want to wake up to see this…?” she asked. In the few months that Leah was unconscious, Serena and Ben had kindled a romance and gotten married swiftly. One of Serena’s biggest regrets was not having Leah as her bridesmaid.
Ben took Serena’s hand in his gently. “She’ll wake up soon, Serena. I’m sure she’s excited to meet our little angel,” he said with hope in his voice.
As if Leah could hear their conversation, her finger twitched ever so slightly. Her entire body felt as heavy as lead, and she did not have the strength to wake up just yet. She felt like she was trapped in a long dream where she could overhear all of the conversations that happened by her bedside, but she was surrounded by an impenetrable fog that she could not escape out of.
Back in spring, Han had told her that Serena and Ben were being hunted down by the state, which hastened their decision to get married. Now that Serena and Ben had shown up at her bedside and told her about the marriage and pregnancy, she could not be happier for the both of them. Yet, she still could not bring herself to awaken from her slumber.
Carlotta had also started attending kindergarten. Every day after school, she would come to the hospital to tell her mother about what she did in school. Some days, she would cry about homework and bullies, seeking comfort from Leah.
All these beautiful memories only heightened Leah’s desire to wake up and rejoin her family. Perhaps her body had finally recovered fully, or it was purely Leah’s determination, but she could finally feel her toes moving.
Ben was just about to usher Serena to a seat to get some rest when Carlotta squealed excitedly. “Mommy, you’re awake!”
Everyone else dropped whatever they were doing and hurried to Leah’s bedside. Her eyes were wide open and she greeted them with a weak smile. “Hey, it’s been a while…” she croaked.
Han’s first instinct was to reach for her, but he was a little too afraid that all of this was just an illusion. His arm hung in the air awkwardly as he considered how to approach her.
“Han, you don’t remember me?” Leah was surprised to see this usually confident man looking a little lost and unsure of what to do. She reached out for his hand instead.
It was only when their hands touched when Han could finally believe that this was all true. “You’re… you’re back,” he said with tears falling down his cheeks as he brought her into an embrace.
“Mommy, you lazy sloth! You’ve been sleeping for so long!” Carlotta cried as she climbed onto her mother’s bed. The three of them embraced each other with a long overdue family hug.
Watching the reunion unfold in front of them, Serena and Ben could not help the tears that welled up in their eyes either. “Sarah, we’ll let you enjoy some family time today. We’ll come and visit again soon!” Serena said before they left.
Han let go of Leah once the guests had left. “Liar,” he chided.
“Mommy’s a liar! Mommy said she would celebrate my birthday with me and get married to Daddy!” Carlotta was in a phase of mimicking what the adults said.
“Oh no, how can I make it up to the both of you?” Leah played along as she teared out of happiness.
Han considered this for a moment. “Get married with me immediately. I’ve booked out the wedding venue since spring began until today,” he said as his finger gently traced her delicate jaw. “Don’t even think of running away this time…”
Leah felt her cheeks heating up. “I’m not going anywhere,” she promised. Time had proven his sincerity, and she knew now that she would be with him for the rest of her life.
…
One month later, Leah was dressed in a resplendent wedding gown as she walked down the aisle toward the man who was waiting for her at the end of the aisle. She took Han’s hand when she finally reached him. “Sorry, I’m late,” she teased. After all, she did promise him to get married in spring, but it was summer already.
“As long as you’re here,” Han said as he reached forward to kiss her on the forehead gently.
“The bride and groom will now exchange their rings,” the host announced.
Leah and Han smiled at each other affectionately as Han put the ring on her finger. “You’re not leaving my side from this day onward, Mrs. Howard,” he chuckled.
“Mhmm, Mr. Howard,” Leah replied sweetly. After all that they had been through, they somehow managed to find each other again. She intended to stay with him for all the beautiful days to come.
Chapter 485 Time Change
The news of Han and Leah's marriage was revealed on the internet and instantly went viral.
"She is married? Did she succeed in seducing Mr. Hendrik?"
"You don't know the truth. It's Mr. Hendrik pursuing her. That's why he went to great lengths to kick Mr. Ford off!"
"That poor Ritch Group probably just realized the truth. If they had known about the relationship between Mr. Hendrik and Sarah, they wouldn't have taken Sarah's design championship trophy away!"
"Blessings!"
After the cumbersome wedding banquet, Leah was exhausted. She was lying motionless on the sofa in the lounge.
The sleeping Leah fell into a warm embrace at some point, which made her sleep more peacefully.
She dreamed about the past again, but there was no darkness this time.
Han's handsome face appeared. He smiled and reached for her. "From now on, you will always be by my side."
Leah unconsciously smiled. "Okay."
"Wake up!" Han's smiling face suddenly turned into a childish voice, which startled Leah.
Leah opened her eyes abruptly and saw Carlotta zooming in on her cute face. "Mommy, wake up! You've been sleeping since yesterday!"
Han's deep voice came from the door. "Let's go! It's time to go out."
Leah saw Han leaning against the door with a gentle smile. The sunlight outside the window fell on him, which brought a beautiful scene.
Leah blushed and stood up to get dressed. She felt her muscles sore from yesterday's overwork.
"Where are we going?" Leah took Carlotta's hand and walked to Han in a daze.
At this moment, it was as unreal as a dream. Leah did follow Han to the end, and every day was a new beginning.
"Go to the amusement park, but we can go on a honeymoon if you want." Han took Leah's hand and led her downstairs.
The warmth from his palm reached Leah's heart. She quickly shook her head. "No, there's still much work piled up in the company. After the day off today, I'll go to work tomorrow."
Carlotta pouted dissatisfied. "Mommy, you make us down. Are you going to work right away after you just got married?"
Although Leah felt a little guilty, she blushed and explained to Han, "We've been a couple for a long
time, so we don't need honeymoon trips."
As early as a few years ago, Leah and Han entered the marriage hall and became entangled with each other until now.
On their way to the amusement park, they met Serena and Ben, who had been waiting there.
"Sarah, although I can't play, I can walk around and chat with you. I'll tell you about what you've missed in the past few months." Serena took Leah's hand.
Han's eyes turned cold. "Cannot."
Serena chooses to chat with Leah when we come out to play today. She's intentionally causing trouble for me!
Serena immediately glared at Han dissatisfied. "Why are you so stingy? Sarah will be yours forever. No one can take her from you. But today's weather is good, and we all come to play together. Is there any problem for me to chat with Sarah?"
Ben naturally helped his wife. He smiled and persuaded Han. "Boss, just let them chat. Since Mrs. Howard awakened, Serena hasn't had a chance to talk to Mrs. Howard, and she's going crazy."
Especially during this month, Mrs. Howard has been doing rehabilitation training and spending time for the wedding.
Han stared at Ben. "Ben, you won't help me after you have a wife, don't you?"
Leah tried to persuade Han to say less when Carlotta's cute voice sounded, "Daddy, let Aunt Serena and Uncle Ben be with us! It will be more lively."
"Okay." Han reluctantly agreed.
During the play, Serena clung to Leah almost the whole time and happily told Leah what had happened in the past four months.
Leah looked at Serena's bulging belly and smiled meaningfully. "Compared with those, I want to know what happened between you and Ben?"
Serena flushed immediately, and her eyes flickered around uncomfortably. "It's a long story. After you got caught by Shawn to Zardova, Dream Designs was in danger, then Ben came to help me every day, and we were busy late. One night, after dealing with a big crisis, I was happy and drank too much wine, and then..."
"Then, I found I was pregnant, so we got together and fell in love with each other afterward."
After listening to what Serena said, Leah could not help but chuckle. "It matches your style. How is the child? Is it a boy or a girl?"
While speaking of children, Serena became gentle with maternal compassion. "The doctor didn't tell me, but I heard from the old people that it's a boy."
Leah did not expect that Serena, who was so resistant to children before, now had such an appearance. Leah said, "Take good care of the baby. I'll handle the company's affairs."
Time was a miraculous thing as it could change many things. For example, in the past, Leah never thought she would be with Han again and had such a bright future.
"No! I'll be by your side as long as I can move!" While Leah was in a trance, Serena rejected her proposal to concentrate on raising a baby at home.
Serena did it well. In the next few days, no matter whether Leah went to work or returned to sleep, Serena always stayed by her side.
That night, when Serena smiled happily and took Leah returning for meals, Han finally ran out of his patience.
He came directly to Ben and looked at Ben condescendingly. "Take care of your wife and take her away!"
Ben felt his heart tighten due to Han's coercion, and Ben had no choice but to explain, "I've tried to persuade her, but it's useless."
Seeing Han's face suddenly cold, Ben hurriedly continued, "Boss, I'll take Serena away now!"
After Ben and Serena left, Han took Leah's hand and hugged her tightly.
"You've ignored me. Since you awakened, you've stayed with other people and don't consider my feelings." His deep and sexy voice sounded a bit unhappy.
Leah pondered. She forgot to care for Han's feelings, and she felt guilty.
She hugged his waist and leaned against his warm embrace. "As Serena said, we have a long future. We'll always be together."
"Yes."
When Leah went to the company the next day, Serena did not go with her, probably because Ben stopped Serena.
Leah was amused thinking about the entanglement between Serena and Ben. Just then, there was a knock on her office door.
"Ms. White, I got White Group's acquisition contract!" The assistant excitedly held a stack of documents and put them on Leah's desk.