Chapter 3 They Discovered Two Corpses

Howard frowned and raised his hands high in an awkward attempt to create some distance between them. He said dryly, "You need to disinfect that wound immediately, or it could get infected. I'll go grab the first aid kit right now."

As he tried to push Zendaya away, she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. Her voice was sweet and mingled with an unmistakable hint of seduction. "I do not need bandages. You really do not understand what I mean?

"All this time, never once did you feel something for me?

"Look, Wendy isn't here. I won't tell anyone. It'll be our little secret between the two of us. Okay?"

She stood on her tiptoes and was about to plant a kiss on his lips. However, he turned his head away to avoid it and carefully pried her arms off him. He was about to explain when the shrill ringing of his phone interrupted him.

He quickly answered the call, and without even having the time to utter a word, an urgent voice came over the line, "Captain, we have found two bodies in Mount Kina. It looks like they were mauled by wild animals. We need immediate assistance!"

Howard's face clouded as he hastily smoothed out his attire and then turned to make his way to the door, but Zendaya caught hold of his arm. "Take me along with you!" she insisted.

He freed his arm and looked back at her sternly. "Don't be ridiculous!"

She was so upset that she rushed to a window. "If you don't take me, I'll jump out this window right now."

She fixed her gaze on him. But when he didn't budge, she started to climb the window frame, using both her hands and feet to hoist herself up.

As she climbed, she glanced back at him. "Are you really this heartless that you'd rather watch me jump than take me with you?"

He furrowed his brows and stared at her. After he hesitated for a long while, he reluctantly nodded.

She grinned triumphantly and clambered down from the window. Then, he began to lecture her about the dangers of the rescue operation solemnly, pointing out everything she needed to be cautious about. A heavy ache settled in my chest upon seeing the two of them in deep conversation.

Was what they meant when they said, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease"?

I could still recall the early days of our marriage, back when things were still good between us. I had pestered Howard to take me along to a rescue site just to see what it was like. Alas, he would always wear a stern expression as he refused me each time, unwilling to make any exceptions.

Years later, I brought it up again, and his response was even harsher. He snapped at me, reminding me he was the team leader and had to set an example. Therefore, I should not push his limits.

Although Zendaya was making threats, it was obvious to anyone that she wasn't really going to die. Yet, he didn't even dare to take that risk and immediately abandoned all of his principles.

If I had pulled a stunt like her, threatening to jump from a window, he probably would have just scolded me and called me crazy.

It turned out the difference between being loved and unloved was painfully obvious.

By the time Howard and Zendaya arrived at the rescue site, the remains of Andrew Holland had already been put together.

The rescue team clearly did what they could to make Andrew's body appear whole again, but there were too many missing pieces. Hence, it was practically impossible to piece them together.

The grotesquely chewed-up remains of Andrew were a result of getting eaten by a tiger. One could only imagine how horrifying my own body would look after being torn apart by a pack of wolves.

One of the rescue workers covered his mouth, running from the cave. He started to vomit in front of the opening for some time before turning to Howard. "Captain, it's… it's horrific. We need you to take over and try to piece it together."

Howard's expression darkened. He put on his protective gear and entered the cave.

As soon as he stepped inside and saw the grisly scene, his body stiffened, and he continued walking inside with heavy and reluctant steps.

The moment he spotted the mobile phone on the ground, he visibly freaked out.

He picked up my phone in a moment of panic. When his eyes landed on the cartoon wallpaper displayed on the screen, his body swayed, and he nearly lost his footing.