Chapter 439


    “But where is the Madam now?” another voice inquired, filled with concern.


    “This snow pit is too deep. Even if we go down, getting back up will be a struggle. If Madam really fell in, she’d be trapped there,”


    someone else reasoned, his voice filled with resignation.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    Ahint of hope sparked in another’s eyes as they wondered, “What if someone rescued her?” The question lingered in the cold


    air, leaving the search party to ponder the possibilities.


    “If she was rescued, what would keep her from returning to the hotel?” another person in the search party wondered aloud.


    The question hung in the freezing air, but Marcus’ attention was elsewhere. Derek, watching closely, saw a stormy expression


    settle on his face. “Silence,” Derekmanded, his voice low and threatening.


    Marcus clenched the specialty mushrooms tightly, his gaze sweeping over the silenced crowd with an intensity that demanded


    obedience.


    “Search every door, scale the mountains, descend the valleys, and question everyone you meet. We must find her, no matter the


    cost,” he ordered, his tone brooking no argument.


    Meanwhile, in a small cottage nestled at the foot of the mountain, Milliey on a bed, her eyes closed and her lips tinged with a


    dangerous shade of purple. Her face was as pale as a ghost’s.


    Even though the air conditioning was sting at the highest temperature, her body continued to shiver slightly, unable to shake


    off the chill.


    A local family, who had found and rescued Millie, was watching over her. Thedy of the house touched Millie’s icy hand with


    concern, then quickly draped an extraforter over her.


    In her semi-conscious state, Millie’s mind registered fragments of conversation.


    “This girl must have lost her way in the snow. Our mountains are treacherous with snow pits hidden everywhere. One misstep


    and she could have frozen to death.”


    “She was lucky that we ran into her today. Had she been left there, in that remote ce, she might not have been found in time.”


    “Perhaps we should increase the temperature on the air conditioning.”


    Millie’s eyes fluttered open, confusion clouding her thoughts.


    Adisjointed memory of being trapped in a snow pit, her cries for help swallowed by the relentless cold, was reced by the


    warmth surrounding her now.


    Thedy of the house, noticing Millie’s returning consciousness, eximed with genuine joy, “You''re awake? That’s wonderfull”


    Millie’s voice was a faint whisper, her body still wracked with fatigue and cold.


    “Where am |?”


    Leaning closer to Millie with a reassuring smile, thedy exined, “You''re safe in our home. We found you. Can you give us any


    contact information for your family?


    We''ll let them know toe for you.”


    At that moment, a loud, urgent knocking echoed through the house.