Ch. 601..610

Chapter 601

Mila entered Cole's car and arrived at the scene of the accident, located on the overpass just over ten minutes away from the wedding venue. Below them flowed a river, its depths concealed from view.

The recovery vessel had already hoisted the car from the water. Meanwhile, the divers continued their search for Nathan beneath the surface. Traffic police were busy with their duties, questioning witnesses and examining surveillance footage.

Mila stood silently beside the railing, clutching it tightly, her hands sweaty. The pain in her heart dulled her senses, leaving her feeling hollow.

It felt as if she had forgotten the very rhythm of her breath, as though time itself had halted in its tracks.

Amidst the eerie silence, with no signs of life in sight, her mind echoed with emptiness, her legs quivering and feeble, sustained solely by sheer determination. Despite the turmoil in her heart and the tears welling in her eyes, Mila resisted the urge to cry.

As long as Nathan's body hadn't been recovered, she clung to the hope that he was still alive. After all, he had never lied to her.

In Nathan's last message, he had reassured Mila to wait for his return. Hence, she was certain he would keep his word.

"We couldn't locate him!" shouted the diver resurfacing from the riverbed.

"Continue the search," the leader above commanded. "Deploy additional divers if necessary. We must find him."

Mila's heart ached with pain as tears streamed down her face. With trembling hands, she wiped away the tears, her legs unsteady as she turned slowly. "Phoebe, could you lend me a hand?" Mila's voice quivered with emotion.

Phoebe quickly took Mila's arm, her own eyes filling with sadness. "Mila, General Morrison hasn't been found yet. Where do you want to go?"

Mila forced a smile, masking her inner turmoil. "It's alright. He's not down there. Let's head home."

"If he's not down there, then where could he be?"

"I'm not sure, but he'll return once he's finished his errands," Mila replied, her smile strained as tears filled her eyes. Her legs felt weak, and her hands trembled with emotion. Phoebe's heart went out to Mila even more. She sensed that Mila was struggling to keep herself composed. It seemed like Mila was deceiving herself, refusing to confront the truth out of fear. She gently guided Mila back to the car, offering words of comfort. "Mila, it's alright to let your tears flow. Keeping them bottled up only adds to the pain."

Mila covered her face, taking a deep breath to compose herself. She discreetly wiped away her tears and turned to Phoebe. "He promised he'd come back. Nathan wouldn'Die to me, Phoebe. He just wouldn't."

Phoebe remained silent, accompanying Mila as they entered the car and drove back to Hoffis Manor.

Once home, Mila changed her clothes, removed her makeup, and treated herself to a calming bath.

With her thoughts vacant, she sought refuge in Jasper's room, cradling him as they nestled together in bed, gradually drifting off to sleep.

Mila's body resisted any effort to wake her, slipping further into a deep slumber. Even upon waking, she found herself lacking the motivation to move or even eat, trapped in a fog of drowsiness. The maternity nurse tended to Jasper, feeding him before gently returning him to Mila's side.

For over 30 hours, Mila slept fitfully, her body devoid of sustenance as she refused to eat or drink.

She clung to the belief that Nathan would return when she awakened, envisioning him coming to her with a gentle kiss.

Yet, with each passing moment of sleep, Mila's body grew weaker, drained by the ordeal.

In her semi-conscious state, she faintly registered the sound of Phoebe's tearful sobs.

"Mila, please, wake up. You need to

wake

have something to eat and drink some water. General Morrison still hasn't been found. Why won't you

eat? You still have a son to take care of. Don't lose hope. Think about Jasper."

Phoebe's persistent pleas disrupted Mila's rest.

Mila slowly opened her eyes and sat up, her voice barely audible. "Phoebe, I'm not hungry. Has Nate returned?"

"General Morrison is still missing,"

Phoebe said tearfully, offering her a bowl of chicken noodle soup. "Please, try to eat. You've been

asleep for almost 30 hours. Skipping meals will only weaken you further."

Chapter 602

Despite Phoebe's tearful pleas, Mila remained indifferent to her own needs. With Nathan still missing, she lacked the motivation to wake up. She reclined once more and shut her eyes, softly saying, "Phoebe, I'm okay. I just want to rest a little longer. Wake me up when Nate returns."

"Mila..." Phoebe broke into tears, alarmed by Mila's condition. This was a side of Mila she had never witnessed before.

Previously, Mila would readily shed tears over the slightest grievances, her heart easily swayed by sadness. But in the face of Nathan's accident, she remained strangely composed.

Instead of being consumed by tears and hopelessness, Mila slept soundly, almost as if untouched by the tragedy.

Nonetheless, her deep slumber seemed to signify more than mere exhaustion-it hinted at a profound resignation toward life itself.

Witnessing this version of Mila filled Phoebe with an even greater sense of dread.

As news of Nathan's accident reached Zach, he immediately mobilized search teams to scour the river, gradually expanding their search area.

However, Zach found himself increasingly troubled as he observed Mila's deteriorating condition. She refused to eat or drink, lost in an endless cycle of sleep.

Despite Zach's efforts to coax her, Mila remained unresponsive.

Whenever she stirred awake, her first question was always, "Is Nate back yet?"

Upon finding Nathan absent, she would simply return to sleep.

By the third day, the family physician, Peyton Walsh, arrived and administered nutrients to Mila via IV.

As Peyton administered the injection, Mila seemed detached, displaying no interest in the IV drip, almost as if she were disconnected from her own body.

"Dr. Walsh?" Mila called out.

Peyton acknowledged her with a nod and asked, "Ms. Hoffis, how are you feeling? Would you like something to eat?"

Mila shook her head weakly, her voice barely audible. "I'm not hungry, and I have no desire to eat. Dr. Walsh, have you seen my husband? His name is Nathan Morrison. Has he returned?" Peyton shook his head solemnly. "Mr. Morrison hasn't come back yet."

Mila reached out, her hand fumbling in the space beside her. "And what about my son?"

"The nanny has taken him out to feed him," Peyton assured her.

"I think I'll rest a little longer. Please wake me if my husband returns," Mila requested before adjusting her position and drifting back to sleep.

Despite the presence of those around her, Mila remained oblivious and apathetic. Shortly afterward, she fell back into a deep slumber.

Gary and Florence came to check on Mila's condition.

Florence was overwhelmed by the thought of Nathan's continued absence, coupled with Mila's apparent lack of will to live and the fact that Jasper was still so young. Unable to hold back her emotions, she quietly wept beside them.

Zach's voice quivered as he addressed Peyton, his desperation evident. "Dr. Walsh, what's going on with my granddaughter? Why is she acting like this?

"She continues to sleep incessantly, refusing to eat or drink. She also doesn't even seem to be showing any emotions or distress.

"All she wants to do is sleep. It's like she's lost all motivation, not even showing concern for her son."

Peyton approached them and suggested in a hushed tone, "It might be helpful to arrange for a psychiatrist for Ms. Hoffis. She appears to be experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. "The shock of her husband's sudden ordeal has been overwhelming for her. She's holding onto the belief that he'll return, but the harsh reality is beginning to take its toll.

"She's struggling to accept the truth, and it's pushing her to the brink."

Gary's expression was fraught with worry as he asked urgently, "What will become of her if my son never returns?"

"In medicine, providing a definitive

answer is challenging. Each case is

unique," Peyton explained. "In the worst-case scenario, her physical health may deteriorate gradually, potentially resulting in a state resembling a vegetative coma."

Zach's face paled with fear, tears welling up in his eyes as his weathered hands shook

uncontrollably. "No, Dr. Walsh, this can't be," he pleaded urgently. We must find a solution to save my granddaughter."

Florence's voice quivered with emotion as she begged, "Dr. Walsh, please, you have to help Wanda. She's still so young, and Jasper has just entered this world. He's barely learned to call for his parents We can't allow such a tragedy to unfold."

Peyton reassured them, saying, "Try not to worry too much. Right now, the plan is to have a psychiatrist come and assist her in fully regaining consciousness."

Chapter 603

At that moment, Cole burst into the room. His face was pale, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he struggled to catch his breath.

His voice trembled as he conveyed the news, "Mr... Mr. Hoffis Senior... they've discovered... a body that surfaced... it's in a terrible state. The forensic team needs the Morrisons to come and identify it." Florence's face drained of color at his words, her legs giving way beneath her as she collapsed. Despite the shock and grief, Gary sprang into action, swiftly moving to catch her before she hit the ground. Witnessing the scene, Cole rushed to assist as well.

Zach's body trembled slightly as he approached the bedside. Leaning in beside Mila, he gently clasped her cold hand, urging, "Wanda, wake up. Nate's been found."

At the mention of Nate, Mila's tired eyes fluttered open, meeting Zach's gaze calmly.

His expression was solemn, tears shimmering in his eyes.

"Grandpa, what's the matter? Why are you crying?" Mila's voice quivered with worry.

Touched by her concern, Zach struggled to compose himself, wiping away his tears before replying, "Wanda, the search team found a body near the river. It's currently being examined by the forensic department.

"The Morrison family is required to go and provide DNA for identification purposes. Would you like to come along and see if it's Nate?"

Despite her tears, Mila managed a faint smile. "Grandpa, it can't be Nate. He promised he'd come back. He's not dead."

Zach gently held Mila's hand as he reassured her, "You're right, he's not gone. He has his wife and son waiting for him. He'll be fine.

"But maybe you should join me at the forensic department, just to confirm it's not him. It might give us some peace of mind."

Feeling exhausted and drained, Mila closed her eyes and whispered, "Grandpa, I don't want to go. I just want to sleep. When Nate comes back, tell him to find me here. I haven't seen him in so long... I miss him... I miss him so much."

As Mila spoke, her voice gradually weakened, fading into a soft, murmuring tone.

Soon, she slipped back into a deep slumber, immersing herself once more in the mysterious and ethereal realm of her subconscious mind.

In her dream, Mila found herself seated beside a vast, white lake, enveloped in silence.

Like a fragile spirit suspended in timeless anticipation, she felt a deep sense of emptiness and vulnerability that seemed to permeate her entire being. Beside her, Zach held onto Mila's hand, his tears flowing freely as he leaned over the edge of the bed.

For the aging Zach, each twist of

fate seemed to bring a new family crisis, each one striking harder than the last, leaving his loved ones grappling with unforeseen O

challenges and hardships.

His son, daughter-in-law, and grandson were still held captive, their fate hanging in uncertainty. Adding to his heavy burdens, his beloved wife had tragically passed away.

Now, with his grandson-in-law facing trouble and his granddaughter, his last remaining family, also entangled in the turmoil, Zach felt the weight of his troubles bearing down on him.

Despite his resilience and inner strength, Zach found himself unable to bear the relentless onslaught of challenges. Consumed by sorrow, he eventually gave in, collapsing beside Mila's bed. The Hoffis family was plunged into chaos, and shortly afterward, they were rushed to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Gary went alone to the forensic department for DNA identification. Nonetheless, he had to endure a two-day wait for the results.

Those two days felt excruciatingly long for everyone anxiously awaiting news of Nathan's safety.

Following Mila's hospital admission, she received treatment from a highly specialized psychiatric team.

With Zach's substantial financial

support, several top hospitals pooled their resources to assemble a team of renowned specialists for a collective consultation. Together, they devised the ultimate treatment plan for Mila.

Mila chose to remain asleep because she believed it was a way to escape her pain. She feared that waking up would only intensify her suffering. She also believed she wouldn't be able to offer any help.

On the third day, the DNA results were revealed, confirming that the body found was not Nathan's.

Cole was assigned a task by the doctor, and after thorough preparation, he entered Mila's hospital room accompanied by Phoebe.

Meanwhile, Phoebe took on the responsibility of waking Mila.

"Mila, wake up, Mila!" Phoebe exclaimed, pretending to be excited. However, Mila remained unresponsive, showing no reaction at all.

Chapter 604

Phoebe persisted, her tone urgent as she spoke, "Mila, there's an update from General Morrison. He's reached out personally. You need to wake up right away." Slowly, Mila opened her eyes, blinking wearily. Upon spotting Cole in front of her, she shut them again, muttering to herself, "It's Cole, not Nate."

Taking a deep breath, Cole nervously relayed, "Mrs. Morrison, General Morrison sent me a message. He's in danger and is counting on us to rescue him."

Mila opened her eyes once more, reaching out to grasp Phoebe's hand. Despite her weakened state, she attempted to sit up. "Phoebe, could you give me a hand?" she murmured.

Phoebe's excitement surged as she promptly offered her support, assisting Mila in sitting up.

Mila stretched her hand toward Cole, questioning, "Where's Nate's message?"

Cole rushed to grab his phone, accessing the messages programmed by the coder, then promptly passed it to Mila.

Mila stared at Nathan's number, then shifted her gaze to the message he had sent. Tears welled up in her eyes, her fingers trembling slightly.

"Cole, I'm not dead. I'm being held captive in an unfamiliar place. Please, find a way to rescue me. Don't let Wanda know what's going on. Just tell her I'm away on business. I don't want her to worry."

Cole took a deep breath, composing himself before saying, "Mrs. Morrison, General Morrison is alive. He's just being held captive. Given his predicament, maybe it's best not to cause him any further worry." Nonetheless, Mila's yearning overwhelmed her, tears streaming down her face as she clutched the phone tightly.

Her body shook with each sob as she sought comfort in Phoebe's embrace, her cries filling the room. It felt cathartic, finally releasing all the pent-up pain that she had been carrying within for so long. Mila continued to sob uncontrollably, each cry accompanied by gasps for air, her anguish becoming unbearable.

Eventually, a doctor was called in. He administered a sedative to help ease Mila's emotions. Slowly, her turbulent feelings began to subside.

Everyone present was left speechless, unable to comprehend the reason behind her intense reaction.

Upon receiving the sedative, Mila didn't succumb to sleep as expected. Instead, she remained surprisingly composed.

With a bitter smile, she handed the

phone back to Cole and remarked, "Your acting skills are rather amateurish. This message you received clearly wasn't from Nate. His phone should still be at the bottom of the river. How could he possibly have texted you?

Phoebe and Cole found themselves pleasantly surprised by Mila's composed and clear-headed response.

The doctor had presumed that Nathan's alleged message would serve as a source of hope for Mila, potentially stirring within hera determination to find a way to save him.

Yet, to his astonishment, Mila awakened only to realize that the message was untrue.

Phoebe nervously inquired, "Mila, if you knew the message was fake, why were you so upset just now? I was worried you might cry yourself to death."

Tears gathered in the corners of Mila's eyes as she replied, "I miss him terribly. Even though I know it's not real, I still feel his love."

"Mila, it might be best for you to stay awake. Think about General Morrison. There's a good chance he's still alive."

Mila interjected with frustration, "!

won't sleep. Nathan lied to me. He assured me he would return, yet it feels like an eternity has passed, and he's still not back. I refuse to wait any longer."

Phoebe and Cole exchanged a concerned glance, worried that Mila might be jumping to conclusions. They hurried to provide clarification.

"No, Mrs. Morrison, General Morrison wouldn't lie to you. He will come back," Cole assured her.

Mila spoke slowly, "If he doesn't return, then I'll go find him myself."

Phoebe intervened anxiously, "Mila, please don't do anything reckless. You're afraid of water and can't swim. How do you plan to search for him?" Mila rubbed her eyes, looking displeased. "He's not in the river, so why would I go near the water to look for him?"

Phoebe let out a sigh of relief. "So, where will you look for him then?"

After a moment of contemplation, Mila spoke up, "Phoebe, could you please bring me something to eat? I'm craving chicken noodle soup."

Cole couldn't contain his excitement. "I'll... I'll go buy some. I'll be back in a flash." With that, he hurried out of the room, his voice still echoing in the room.

Chapter 605

A week went by with no sign of Nathan.

Despite extensive searches, his body had yet to be found, almost as if he had vanished without a trace from the river.

To aid in the investigation, the government discreetly deployed a highly skilled criminal investigation team to locate him.

Meanwhile, Mila was relentless in her efforts. Upon regaining her strength, she dedicated herself to an exhaustive search, working tirelessly day and night.

While the official search efforts focused on combing the river and surrounding areas, Mila pursued a different strategy.

She meticulously analyzed the traffic surveillance footage from the day of Nathan's disappearance.

Through her careful examination, she discovered that Nathan's car had been pursued by several suspicious vehicles sporting fake license plates. Although there were instances of speeding, no collisions were reported.

In a sudden turn of events, Nathan's car appeared to malfunction, swerving toward the roadside barrier before plunging into the river at high speed.

The vehicles tailing Nathan's car swiftly accelerated, maneuvering onto the road beneath the river.

Unfortunately, there were no surveillance cameras along the smaller roads flanking the river, resulting in a sudden cutoff of the tracking footage.

Lost in contemplation, Mila attempted to imagine Nathan's perspective.

Why did he agree to be the best man?

What prompted his sudden departure during the reception?

Whenever Nathan embarked on a mission, he never operated alone. So, why did he abandon Cole and venture out without any subordinates this time? What was his objective?

As Mila delved into her thoughts, Cole's sudden knock on the study door snapped her out of her reverie.

"Come in," Mila said.

With a sense of urgency, Cole said, "Mrs. Morrison, we've found it."

Mila eagerly accepted the USB drive from Cole's outstretched hand. Feeling a mix of anxiety and anticipation, she inserted the drive into the computer.

Cole stood by her side as they watched the footage together. He sighed, reflecting, "It took every ounce of my effort and all my connections to obtain this surveillance footage." Mila remained silent, her gaze fixed on the screen as she scrutinized the footage.

The video captured moments from Lillian's wedding day.

Mila observed each frame meticulously, leaving no detail unnoticed.

While Mila watched the playback, she couldn't help but notice Nathan's immediate reaction to cover Yale's injured hand with a handkerchief, deftly concealing the cut left by his ring. Without hesitation, Mila paused the video at that crucial moment. It was a seemingly insignificant detail that had gone unnoticed on stage during the event.

Cole shared Mila's astonishment. "It appears General Morrison switched the handkerchiefs discreetly. What could his motive be?"

After a moment of contemplation,

Mila resumed watching the footage. Suddenly, it dawned on her why the wedding host had seemed so incompetent-they were hurrying through the schedule.

Looking up at Cole, Mila asked, "Weren't you aware of his plan?"

Cole shook his head in disbelief. "No, General Morrison didn't tell me about any of this. But what could be the reason for him needing Yale's blood?"

Mila rested her forehead on her hand, leaning against the desk as she spoke softly, "This man could very well be Oliver."

"That's highly unlikely. Given Oliver's poor eyesight, it's difficult to believe he could undergo such a natural

transformation through net

vetne

Compare that to Lucas; his surgically enhanced features much more noticeable."

Mila countered, "Poor eyesight can be corrected with contact lenses or laser surgery, and there are plenty of skilled plastic surgeons capable of such transformations."

Cole paused for a moment, his voice laden with concern. "Does this mean General Morrison is in grave danger?"

However, Mila saw things differently. She turned to Cole and challenged, "Isn't there any other way to obtain someone's blood?"

Cole remained skeptical. "How could there not be? Acquiring blood is a straightforward process, isn't it? We could come up with a legitimate reason and bring the personan for a simple blood test.

"Alternatively, we could involve narcotics officers, suspect them of drug use, and carry out a routine examination at the hospital, extracting blood in the process.

"As a last resort, we could send in an agent disguised as a robber, stage a robbery, and obtain something stained with blood from the target. There are countless methods. "General Morrison's approach is the riskiest, the most perilous, and it's the most likely to lead to his exposure. His direct involvement perplexes me; I simply can't comprehend it." Mila rested her head on her hand, calmly observing Cole. "Considering General Morrison's intellect, would he really make such a reckless move?"

Cole responded with certainty, "No, he wouldn't."

Mila drew her conclusion decisively, "Then it must have been intentional on Nathan's part."

Confusion clouded Cole's expression as he looked at Mila.

Mila stated confidently, "He intentionally asked to be a groomsman, deliberately stood next to Yale, and knowingly chose the riskiest method to obtain his blood.

"And let's not forget his feigned nervousness and sudden departure from the reception. All these calculated actions seem to be aimed at arousing Yale's suspicions."

Chapter 606

"If Yale is in the clear, there's no reason for Nathan to feel anxious about his blood. But if there's a problem with Yale, Nathan would undoubtedly take swift action."

Cole's realization hit him like a ton of bricks. "Mrs. Morrison, are you suggesting that General Morrison's true motive isn't to obtain Yale's blood for DNA analysis? Perhaps he's orchestrating this ruse to provoke Yale's suspicion, prompting the man to retaliate against him."

Mila nodded. "That's my theory."

"But why would General Morrison do that?" Cole asked.

Mila, too, struggled to understand Nathan's motive. Confusion clouded her mind.

Rubbing her temples, Mila thought for a moment before asking, "Cole, has Nate given you any unusual instructions recently or asked you to place anything in the car?"

Cole suddenly recalled and exclaimed, "Yes, he did. General Morrison tasked me with fetching a professional diving pump with oxygen from the arsenal a couple of days ago, along with a specialized hammer for breaking car windows."

A faint smile crept onto Mila's lips, dispelling the sadness and despair that had plagued her in recent days. Every worry she had morphed into a source of determination.

The weight that had burdened her heart lifted at last.

Tears welled in Mila's eyes as she retrieved her phone, rereading the last message Nathan had sent her: "Stay calm, wait for my return."

Mila bit her lip, a whirlwind of emotions raging within her. "When you come back, we need to have a serious conversation," she silently pledged. "Risking your life in such a dangerous plan without discussing it with me first-is that fair to Jasper and me if something goes wrong?"

Unable to suppress his curiosity, Cole asked, "Mrs. Morrison, what is General Morrison's plan exactly? Where is he?"

"I'm not entirely sure," Mila admitted. She didn't have a clear grasp of Nathan's intentions, but she knew they were all part of his calculated strategy.

"So, what's our next move?" Cole asked.

"Keep up the search as usual. Avoid investigating Yale or getting too close to him. Also, do not assign anyone to track him under any circumstances. Simply regard him as inconsequential. Concentrate on your duties and avoid disrupting Nate's plan," Mila directed.

Cole nodded in acknowledgment. "Got it, Mrs. Morrison."

Mila added, "And keep this information to yourself. Don't discuss it with anyone."

"Consider it done."

In the early spring, the streets were bathed in radiant sunshine, with vibrant green shoots beginning to emerge.

Accompanied by Phoebe, Mila took

Jasper to the hospital for his

check-up and vaccinations. After the appointment, they ventured to a nearby mall, browsing for clothes

and essentials for Jasper.

To their surprise, they ran into Fenna and Lillian, whom they hadn't seen since the wedding reception a month prior.

It seemed that Fenna and Lillian were also shopping for baby supplies, hinting at Lillian's recent pregnancy.

As Mila approached Lillian to greet her, she was met with a cold reception.

Fenna, on the other hand, wore a look of disdain as she angrily exclaimed, "With Nate's life on the line and his whereabouts unknown, how can you justify shopping here?"

Mila shot back, "What other choice do I have? Should I spend every day at home grieving? Or should I dive into the river each day, searching for my possibly deceased husband?" Through gritted teeth, Fenna retorted, "Nate won't die."

Mila let out a weary sigh before remarking, "Ms. Hudson, your love runs deep, doesn't it? It's just unfortunate that you're directing it toward the wrong person."

Fenna's fists clenched, her expression twisted with anger. "A woman like you doesn't deserve Nate," she spat out.

Mila replied indifferently, "I

apologize, but Nathan is still my

husband, regardless of whether he's dead or alive. My worthiness to him is not for you to judge. Even in death,

I have the sole right to be buried beside him."

Fenna's rage intensified at Mila's words.

With Phoebe and Jasper in tow, Mila turned to walk away.

As she took a step, she couldn't help but overhear Lillian's words. "Fenna, don't waste your time arguing with a slut like her. She's got some serious tricks up her sleeve. Every man wants to be with her."

Mila had initially intended to leave the situation gracefully, but Lillian's derogatory remarks pushed her past her limit.

Regardless of Lillian's status as the president's daughter, Mila decided to confront her directly.

She entrusted Jasper to Phoebe's care and instructed her to wait at the store's entrance.

Chapter 607

Phoebe carried Jasper away, leaving Mila to confront Lillian alone.

Turning back to face Lillian, Mila forced a strained smile. She reached for her phone and opened her call history.

Placing her phone in front of Lillian, Mila spoke calmly, "Your husband began harassing me right after your wedding. Take a good look at the calls he made to me in the past month. Do you recognize this number?"

Lillian's expression darkened as she extended her hand toward Mila's phone.

With a swift motion, Mila moved it out of reach, her tone turning icy. "Ms. Kimmel, perhaps you should advise your husband to cease his harassment toward me.

"I am not acquainted with him, nor do I desire friendship with him. Please ensure he behaves appropriately. If he fails to do so, I will not hesitate to take legal action against him for harassment."

Lillian visibly shook with anger, her grip tight on her abdomen. Her breaths came in rapid, uneven gasps, betraying the depth of her emotional turmoil.

Observing Lillian's protective gesture, Mila became even more convinced of her pregnancy.

As a mother herself, Mila didn't want to escalate the conflict. She softened her tone and calmly expressed, "I urge both of you to maintain some decorum moving forward.

"My husband and I have known each other since childhood, and his affection for me spans decades. I was touched by his genuine affection. There was never any question of either of us seducing the other."

Turning her attention to Fenna, Mila's gaze hardened. "Ms. Hudson, your constant remarks about my suitability for Nathan are unwarranted. There's no such thing as a perfect match in this world. As long as he loves me, that's all that matters. His feelings and preferences are not for you to judge."

Fenna's expression darkened as she faced Mila's retort, her indignation driving her to retaliate. "You-"

But before Fenna could complete her sentence, Mila cut her off. "Don't try to act tough. You seem to think you're the only one worthy of Nathan's affection.

"But even if you were an angel, Nathan wouldn't spare you a second glance. What's the point of seeking his affection only to risk alienating him?"

Fenna was furious, rendered speechless by Mila's words.

Concerned for her unborn child and realizing the futility of their argument, Lillian swiftly intervened, pulling Fenna away. "Fenna, let's leave. There's no need to engage with a shrew like her."

Mila rarely emerged triumphant from verbal confrontations but today proved to be an exception.

Her ability to unnerve Fenna stemmed from the unwavering love Nathan had shown her, empowering her with the courage to speak her mind.

In that instant, a surge of emotion engulfed Mila.

It had been a month since Nathan's disappearance. Despite this, her longing for him intensified with each passing day.

Where could he be?

Was he safe?

...

In the well-lit and orderly neurology ward, Nathan underwent his thirtieth EEG session.

This medical procedure was carried out daily, consistently producing the same jumbled data.

After the tests concluded, the doctor

placed a stack of photographs in

front of Nathan. He instructed

elne

Nathan to examine the photos before proceeding with another EEG.

"Who is she?" the doctor inquired.

"I don't know," Nathan replied.

Pointing to another photograph, the doctor asked, "And her?"

"I have no idea."

"What about him?"

"I don't recognize him."

The doctor continued, "What's your name?"

"I've forgotten."

"What is your occupation?"

"I can't recall."

"Very well, that concludes today's examination," the doctor stated.

With that, Nathan left the observation room and sought solace outside the hospital, basking in the warmth of the sunlight with his eyes closed. After a brief respite, he wandered the surroundings, spending time in the nearby park before eventually returning to the hospital for lunch.

For a month, Nathan had been confined to the hospital, struggling with his erratic EEG readings and total amnesia. These were the conclusions drawn by the hospital during this period.

Though the hospital didn't restrict Nathan's movements, they neglected to inform his family about his condition.

Meanwhile, in the hospital director's office, a mysterious phone call interrupted the day's proceedings.

"Any developments?"

"None at all. He's still dealing with amnesia," the director replied.

"Are you sure?"

"Without a doubt."

"Fantastic, it seems I've gained

another bargaining chip. Tonight et

someone will be sent to fetch

Please ensure utmost secrecy in the arrangement."

"Consider it done," the director affirmed before ending the call.

Later that night, a nurse arrived to administer Nathan's medication. After taking it, he drifted into a deep slumber.

Upon waking, Nathan found himself staring at the sterile white ceiling, his head pounding from the effects of the medication. Struggling to sit up, he surveyed the room.

Chapter 608

The room was spacious, with only a bed and a cabinet. A washbasin, towel, toothbrush, and toothpaste were placed on the cabinet.

On the left, there was a window covered in iron bars. From the window, he could see a very high wall outside.

Nathan got out of bed. He opened the door and walked out to an empty hall.

There was a dining table with four chairs in the middle of the hall, and a bookshelf filled with books was against the wall.

There was nothing else except for these things.

At this moment, a paper airplane descended from above and landed on his feet.

A fair-skinned young boy rushed over. He stuttered, "P-Pla... Plan....."

Nathan furrowed his brow. He was stunned at first, but then he slowly crouched down. He picked up the paper airplane and lifted the boy up.

"What's your name?" he asked with a smile.

The boy blinked at him.

At that moment, a gentle and deep voice sounded. "Elio Hoffis."

Nathan looked over. He saw a middle-aged man with a refined appearance stepping out from another room.

Seeing him, Nathan smiled with relief. The man was Wanda's father, Tristan Hoffis.

Soon after, a graceful and virtuous middle-aged woman also walked out. She had delicate features. She was Wanda's mother, Michaela Sheffield.

"Nate, after all these years, do you still remember me and Aunt Michaela?" Tristan asked.

Nathan wore a faint smile. He politely said, "I'm sorry, I suffered a head injury, so I can't remember."

"What about my daughter, Sally, do you remember her?"

Nathan shook his head.

Michaela corrected him, "You used to call her Chubs when you were young, don't you remember anything?"

"I really can't recall," Nathan replied. He scanned the surroundings

noticed numerous surveillan

cameras. There were about a dozen cameras in just one living room.

Tristan and Michaela sighed with disappointment.

Nathan put Elio down. He handed him the paper airplane to let him play. He sat on a chair and asked, "How did I end up here?"

Tristan and Michael also sat on the dining chairs. They grabbed a water bottle and poured Nathan a glass of water.

"We don't know why you were captured and brought here," Michaela said. She poured the water and handed it to him.

Nathan took the glass. He expressed his gratitude, "Thank you."

Tristan held his head. His voice was tinged with sadness, "We've been locked up for many years. Luckily, I have my wife and child with me. "Recently, my parents were also brought in, but then they went away. Neither of them came back, it's probably a bad sign."

Nathan didn't drink the water. Instead, he stood up to check each window. He found out there were high walls with high tension wire outside.

He walked to the door and pulled it open.

There was another locked iron gate, like a prison.

He could see a garden through the iron bars. The sun was bright, and the garden was full of blooming flowers. The garden was also enclosed by a 9.8-foot-high wall.

There was a dense forest beyond the wall. No other buildings were in sight except for towering trees.

Tristan walked over to Nathan's

side. He said, "Once you're locked in

here, don't even think about getting

out. This place is stricter than a prison. You can't escape.

"Armed men will come to deliver meals three times a day, so if you need anything, you can write a list and give it to them when they bring the food."

Nathan remained composed. He smiled slightly as he muttered in an extremely light tone, "Dad, as long as I can get in, I don't need to escape."

Chapter 609

Tristan was taken aback. He stared at Nathan and asked, "What did you call me?"

Nathan patted his shoulder. He intensely looked at him with a gentle smile. From his expression, it didn't feel like they were unfamiliar with each other.

It was as if Nathan was meeting a respected elder. He was humble, polite, and gentle.

Tristan was so moved that his fingers trembled slightly. It seemed like he was on the verge of saying something but holding back.

Nathan had given him enough information, so Tristan should be able to understand now. He quickly changed the subject, "Which areas here are not covered by cameras?" Tristan was slightly excited. He grabbed Nathan's hand and led him to the bathroom.

In the bathroom, there was a shower and toilet area cordoned off by a curtain, so the camera couldn't see inside. Then, Tristan pulled Nathan into their room.

There were four cameras in the room, and a curtain was used as a mosquito net over the bed.

Tristan said, "These are the only two areas without cameras."

Nathan nodded and whispered, "That's enough."

His words were like a reassurance to Tristan.

Trembling, Tristan grabbed Nathan's wrist. Tears welled up in his eyes as his gaze filled with anticipation. He wanted to obtain more information, but he didn't dare to ask.

Nathan saw through his confusion and excitement but couldn't say much to avoid being exposed. He could only gently pat Tristan's hand to comfort him.

Trying not to cry, Tristan nodded to show he understood.

Suddenly, Nathan suggested, "Tonight, let's switch places to sleep."

Tristan was surprised, so he asked, "You want to sleep in our room?"

Nathan replied, "Just for one night."

Tristan didn't know what he was up to, but he was sure it was something they couldn't let the cameras see.

He agreed without hesitation, "Okay, you're our new roommate, so feel free to ask for anything you need."

Nathan went and looked around. He asked again, "Is there a razor?"

"Yes."

"And some rubbing alcohol?"

"Yes."

Nathan smiled faintly, then walked over to the dining table to sit down. He gazed at the sky.

Tristan went to join him. He tentatively asked again, "Nate, are you really not afraid of being locked up here?"

"I'm not afraid," Nathan responded.

At this moment, Michaela walked

over with the child in her arms to sit beside them. She curiously asked, "Nate, you really don't remember Chubs?"

Nathan replied, "I really don't remember."

"My parents came in before. They

said she lost her memory and married

and

you. Her identity was stolen,

e's been through a lot these

years. They also said..."

Nathan quickly interrupted, "Mom, I really don't remember anything. Please don't mention those things."

He called her "mom" so casually.

Michaela was stunned and dumbfounded. She then looked at Tristan in confusion.

Tristan smiled and nodded at her. After years of marriage, they had formed a good relationship and really understood each other.

As they exchanged gazes, tears welled up in Michaela's eyes. She had understood everything.

Remembering what his parents said.

about Nathan being the general of a military base in Norvania, they can't imagine how such an important figure could be easily captured and brought here.

There must be a reason that he was here.

Knowing there was hope, the couple's hands began to tremble. They almost lost hope since they had been locked up for too long.

Now, this potential future son-in-law appeared before them. Although he claimed to have amnesia, he mysteriously comforted them with his words.

Even though Nathan was currently unarmed, he was still a symbol of hope.

Tristan and Michaela were afraid of asking too much and feared they might reveal something, so they stopped asking.

As the night fell, there were sounds coming from outside.

Tristan hurriedly stood up. He said, "Dinner's here."

Nathan followed him to have a look.

Chapter 610

The gate was opened. There were two armed men standing outside the iron bars. Both of them looked fierce, and they were holding rifles.

At this moment, one of them pointed the rifle at Nathan. He coldly said as he chuckled, "You, stand still. Don't ever think about escaping from here."

Tristan quickly intervened as he tried to placate them, "Please calm down, sirs. He's young and spirited. He just got here, so he might have some thoughts of escaping. I'll talk to him later." The other armed man sneered, "Even if we let you out of this building, do you really think you can escape from this private island with no reception?"

Nathan's expression became gloomy.

Seeing his grim face, the two men burst into laughter and left.

As they walked away, one of them said, "There's no reception at all. I feel like I'm a caveman now."

"Forget it. Let's make some quick money for a few more years before quitting this job. This island is not a place for humans."

As Tristan closed the door, he turned to Nathan and said, "Forget it, don't argue with them."

Nathan asked, "Have these two always been the ones delivering meals and daily necessities?"

Tristan replied, "No. Over the years I've seen many people, probably dozens. Sometimes a group of armed thugs come and they will gather in the open space in the garden." Nathan raised his head to look at the camera. He curiously asked, "How do these cameras transmit video data if there's no signal here?"

Tristan was stunned by his question.

After a moment, he slowly said, "Regardless of whether they can monitor us or not, we can't break free from this welded iron cage or escape from this deserted island." Michaela chimed in, "Yeah, there's no boats, no reception, no weapons here. Once you resist, you'll be killed."

Nathan quietly returned to the dining table to have dinner with them.

After dinner, Michaela washed the dishes and placed them outside the iron bars. She bathed Elio before putting him to sleep in Nathan's room.

Nathan switched rooms with them. He put down the curtain to block all the cameras. He slowly began to execute his plan.

Elio was asleep in the other room.

Tristan and Michaela were hiding under the blanket and whispering to each other.

Michaela murmured softly, "Why did Nate want to sleep in our room?"

"I don't know. But there must be a reason for it."

"It seems like he hasn't lost his memory."

"Shh, keep your voice down."

"I'm already whispering."

"He called me dad."

"He also called me mom."

"He must have married Wanda."

"I like this son-in-law. I've liked him since he was a child. I didn't expect him to really be with Wanda."

"Yeah, I didn't expect that as well!"

They fell silent for a while. After a moment, they whispered to each other again.

Michaela said, "He looks strong and powerful."

"He's a Defense General of Norvania. He's young, of course he's strong," Tristan replied.

"Did he intentionally get caught just to save us?"

"It's possible. Before going to sleep, he secretly told me to stay calm no matter what sound we hear in the middle of the night. He told us not to panic, and not to leave the room."

Michaela was very agitated. She clenched her fists as she responded, "I'm not sleepy at all now. I'm so happy. I really want to know what he's up to."

Tristan held Michaela's hand and

said, "My love, you must stay calm.

Whether Nate can save us or not, his safety comes first. We musto prioritize our safety too."

"Yes, I agree."

"Nate is steady and strategic. Let's wait and see a little longer."

"Okay..."

Under the blanket, their voices were faint and fragmented.

The middle-aged couple chatted quietly, on and off. They chatted until midnight.