Chapter 247


    He clutched her wrist, the one that wielded the remote control, like a modern-day scepter.


    As they tumbled down the slope, Ian twisted with all his might, snapping Victoria''s wrist. She


    screamed in agony, the remote slipping from her grasp. Their descent elerated, and soon they


    vanished from view.


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    A deafening explosion echoed from below.


    ra, sprawled at the cliff''s edge, roared into the abyss, "Ian!" Only echoes answered her call,


    apanied by the rising plumes of thick smoke.


    ra''s fingers wed into the earth, nails splitting, bleeding, unaware as the pain inside dwarfed


    any physical wound. Shey there, boneless, Ian''s name a litany on her lips, tears tracing unnoticed


    paths down her cheeks.


    Dawson approached, his voice a soothing balm, "Attorney ra, our teams are on their way down. I


    have faith Mr. Hayes is going to make it."


    Despite her anguish, ra knew the grim reality better than anyone. Ian had rolled down with


    Victoria in his arms. The violent impact triggered Victoria''s explosives. The slope was steep, so their


    separation in the rapid tumble down was unlikely.


    As dusk fell, the chill of the mountaintop bit through the fog that began to cloak thend, hindering


    the search efforts.


    ra stood at the base, her body chilled, gaze empty. Suddenly, a jacket draped over her


    shoulders. Ryker''s deep voice reached her ears. "ra, please wait in the car. I''ve brought my


    squad. They''ll find Ian."


    Her cracked lips parted, her voice a hoarse whisper, "Ryker, he can''t be dead."


    Seeing her swollen, tearful eyes, Ryker''s heart clenched. He gave her a reassuring pat. "Don''t


    worry, he''s tougher than nails. He won''t go down without a fight."


    Then, he and his team plunged into the wilderness.


    Searchlights, like fireflies, drifted through the foggy valley. The underbrush made the search


    arduous.


    Hourster, ra''s phone rang. It was Ryker, "ra, we found parts of Victoria''s... remains. No


    sign of Ian, which means he likely separated from her during the fall. He''s alive, I''m sure of it. I''ll


    bring him back to you."


    Hope flickered in ra''s vacant eyes. She wiped away her tears swiftly. "Ryker, be careful."


    "I will. Now, do as I say and wait in the car. Ian wouldn''t forgive me if he came back to find you


    worse for wear."


    "Okay, I''ll do as you say."


    After hanging up, ra felt a glimmer of hope. Ryker scrutinized Ian''s possible descent path. To


    break away from Victoria, Ian would''ve needed something to halt his fall. With this in mind, Ryker


    moved toward a midway ledge.


    As he searched, something suddenly ensnared his ankle. As he was about to shake it off, he looked


    down to see a bloodied hand.


    Ryker crouched quickly, shining his light on the figure. Under the harsh re, a familiar face


    emerged. His heart sank. He pped Ian''s cheek a few times. "Ian, you still with us?"