James glanced at Irene through the rearview mirror, but he was assuredly surprised by her composure and poise at the meeting just now. "Very good," he replied. Irene's smile faded at that and she rubbed her cheeks firmly.She had been smiling constantly while she had been upstairs, because she had to fake it.With Isaac's whereabouts unknown, she has to muster her spirit. Returning to the hilltop mansion, she saw that Eagle had just returned with Mrs. Watson as well.After alighting, Mrs. Watson quickly went up to her, saying, "Mrs. Jefferson, I'll go with you."Irene said, "But your health…""I'm fine." Mrs. Watson patted her chest. "See? I'm fine."Irene nodded. "I'll arrange for a doctor for you over there.""No, I'm really fine," Mrs. Watson insisted. "I would've discharged myself if you hadn't told me to stay at the hospital. I was almost bored to death there! Oh, can I see Tommy now? I've missed him since it's been a few days."With that, Mrs. Watson jogged into the
After both men arrived, Eagle was standing behind James, but he kept his eyes lowered without looking at Irene.He had no idea what happened that Irene would suddenly move her entire family over to Franconia, but he was sharp enough to tell that it was something serious. It would not explain her urgency otherwise.Looking at Irene just then, James murmured, "Mrs. Jefferson…"Irene said bluntly, "You're coming with me. We're going to find him.""I can do it alone," James replied. "Your family—""Eagle can take care of them," Irene said, turning toward Eagle just then. "I'd like you to protect my children."Eagle stepped forward and said, "Yes, I'll do my best."Irene had planned that from the beginning, which was why she asked if Eagle could come along. She had faith in Eagle's abilities.James wanted to talk her out of it, but Irene spoke before he could. "Do you think I can rest easy if you don't let me go?"Seeing that her mind was set, James decided to stop talking her ou
Eagle's gaze became evasive right then, but he soon composed himself. "Your mother asked me to bring it to you."As Irene took it, she asked, "Why are you getting nervous? I wasn't doubting you.""I'm not nervous, ma'am," Eagle replied. Irene, however, was clearly skeptical—he was clearly being antsy just now. "Are you not used to this place yet?" she asked."...A little," Eagle admitted."You'll get used to it eventually," Irene told him. "Just call me if something comes up.""Yes, ma'am," Eagle replied, while Irene returned to the dining table.This time, Sheryl did not force her to eat again and instead poured her a glass of water. She took a sip when Pierre approached her, saying, "There's someone here to see you, Mrs. Jefferson."Irene thought it would be James, so she headed to the front door… only to find that it was Zachary Slate."What are you doing here?" she asked in curiosity. "James told me about what happened to Isaac," he replied, his expression grim. "I
"Where?!" Irene asked urgently."It's quite a distance," James said. "We have to foot it.""Alright, let's go," Irene said urgently. "Take me there."It was fine if it was far. She wanted to see if it was Isaac right away! With the Dunesians leading the way, they strode through the pathless mountain and climbed up the mountain. Along the way, Irene missed a large rock beneath her foot and slipped, bending her foot in an odd angle.As she gasped in pain, Zachary asked from behind her, "Are you alright?'"I'm fine," Irene said, shaking her head—she would not delay the others. However, her ankles hurt, and she thought it might be a sprain.The skies overhead were turning dark, but they trudged along with their flashlights.The trek remained difficult as ever, and they would spot debris from the wreckage from time to time.Irene tried her best not to look, so as to calm herself. Soon, it was night, and their environment was much quieter and colder.Even so, they were all s
When Irene heard James say 'Stan', she rushed up to him, grabbing his arm. "Who was that?"James gulped, putting an assuring hand on Irene's to calm her and get her to stay quiet before asking, "Stan? Is that really you?"He almost could not believe his ears."Yeah, it's me," Stan replied from the other end.James inhaled sharply. "Where are you right now?!""Franconia…""Hold on," James was stumped for a moment. "You're in Franconia?""Yeah," Stan answered confidently, before adding urgently, "This is urgent. Where are you right now? I'll come to you.""Where do you think?!" James actually snapped. "The plane you boarded with Mr. Jefferson crashed in Dunesia, so we're here searching the place!""Then hurry back right now," Stan urged.It only left James more confused. "What the hell is going on here?!""It's complicated. We'll talk when we meet," Stan told him. "Just come back. Mr. Jefferson isn't there.""Well, where is he?!" James asked. "Just come back for now—"Stan
Along the way, Irene felt tense—she was at once excited and hopeful.She felt really charged even after days of running about without food or sleep.Zachary passed her a piece of bread. "Eat. Don't look half-dead when you meet Isaac again.""You're the one who looks half-dead," Irene retorted even as she took it.Still, Zachary was relaxed to know that Isaac might be fine. "I knew it. You're trying to make yourself look pitiful so that Isaac would feel sorry for you, right?"Irene really wanted to roll her eyes at him. "You have a wonderful imagination."Zachary chuckled.Nonetheless, Irene ate the bread and drank some water, immediately feeling revitalized after she did.Zachary was going to tell her to get some sleep as well, but she probably would not fall asleep given her tense state. He said nothing, while hoping that the helicopter would move faster and take them back to Franconia.Naturally, the wait was grilling, and Irene was constantly checking the time.Once the
Irene was absolutely fuming—how could Stan still be hesitant even now? "Spit it already," she snapped. "Don't leave me hanging, or I might die from a heart attack!"She was not actually joking—her heart could leap out of throat as she kept watching Stan being hesitant to speak.He began, "I just saw the news about the plane crash…""So?" Zachary pressed, feeling anxious too. "Get to the point!""I am getting to the point," Stan said sternly. "Don't interrupt, please?"And with that, the other three turned silent and stared fixedly at him, leaving him a little speechless. "Remember the captain? I saw him jump out of the plane with us with my own eyes," Stan replied. "But the news is saying that he and his co-pilot died the same way. It's no surprise that the co-pilot was killed after I knocked him out, but the captain should have survived after landing safely like me instead of dying like his co-pilot."James promptly understood what Stan was getting at, and his expression tur
Bob hated Ricky for his betrayal, and he fired a shot straight at Ricky before the police officers could subdue him!However, Martin York stepped in the bullet's way, and the shot hit him on the back.He was rushed to the hospital right away for emergency surgery, but the bullet was lodged too close to Martin's heart. They needed the best heart surgeons to extract it, or the risk would be too serious.While the hospital arranged for the surgery, Lulu Adams was still at home.She knew about the operation today, and although she never received word, she was afraid to call Martin since she might disturb him while he was on the job.When she had enough of waiting, she headed straight to the precinct, where the higher-ups were interrogating Bob.Lulu's worries eased, since it seemed that the operation was a success, and Ricky was the most vulnerable asset—he would definitely be killed if the crime ring realized he was the mole.Finding Johnny, one of Martin's squadmates, she asked, "