Caught In His Embrace: A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 423

Chapter 423

Exhausted, Josiah stumbled as he stepped out of the narrow wooden hut, nearly tripping over the threshold.

"Mr. Evans." A bodyguard swiftly reached out to steady Josiah, eyes scanning his pallid, grim face with concern. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine..." Josiah shook his head, then suddenly turned to the bodyguards

flanking him. "Why are you all standing here? Go find him."

"Mr. Evans, we have to protect you," one bodyguard said.

"Do I need it?" Josiah asked angrily, his gaze filled with sarcasm.

"Get out there and find Conner."

"Mr. Evans..." The bodyguards were hesitant.

"Go now," Josiah instructed.

"Yes, sir." The bodyguards exchanged glances but ultimately obeyed Josiah's orders, swiftly scattering in all directions.

After shouting himself hoarse, Josiah felt a sharp pain throbbing in his temples. He raised a hand to rub his temple, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings.

The mountain had no streetlights, and the recent rain had left the paths muddy and treacherous. The longer they delayed, the worse things would get.

One more person searching meant one more ray of hope. Josiah gripped his flashlight tightly and plunged into the search himself.

The sounds of voices faded into the distance, and only the steady beam of his flashlight illuminated the path ahead. Josiah glanced at his phone from time to time, afraid of missing any incoming calls or messages.

Suddenly, the ground beneath Josiah's feet gave way! He thought, 'Damn it!' By the time he realized what was happening, it was already too late. His center of gravity plummeted, and his entire body plunged downward in free fall.

"Ethan, help," Josiah's pupils shrank as he shouted.

However, the descent was too rapid. Josiah's cry was swallowed by the abyss along with him.

"Ugh." As his body tumbled down, scraping against jagged rocks, Josiah gritted his teeth and let out a muffled groan. His flashlight had long been lost. He was now engulfed in an endless void.

fear coiled in the depths of Josiah's heart. He wondered, 'Is this it for me?' "Ah," Josiah screamed. Before terror could fully take hold,

momentarily shut his

with something warm and wet-blood. The sharp,

clothes to rid himself of the sticky dampness. He then reached into his pocket, looking for his phone. He needed

"Tsk." With a frown, he clicked his tongue in frustration. He thought, 'It must have been flung away when I fell. Perhaps it's nearby?' All that remained in Josiah's pocket was a lighter. He pulled it out

cliff, but no cliff was this shallow. The place looked more

ahead. There was no end in sight. He wondered, What kind of place is this? Wait!' Just as Josiah's hand had withdrawn, he moved back again. That dark shadow earlier resembled a person.

deep mountain, could it be... Conner?' His throat tightened.

pain flared up from the wound on his left leg, a sharp,

Josiah forced himself to endure it, shoving the pain aside as he rushed toward the shadowy figure

reached out and flipped the person

were tightly shut. He was still wearing a

hoarse with urgency. As the realization hit him, a surge of emotion welled up in his eyes,

his tears. He reached out to help Conner up and patted his face. "Wake up. Can you hear me,

There was no response. It wasn't looking good. Conner had been given sedatives, and

here and wait for Ethan

can't sit

and continued to survey his surroundings. The tunnel stretched endlessly ahead, an eerie Wind rushing toward them. He had his suspicions-this

back was impossible. Their only

jacket and tossed it onto the ground where he had fallen earlier. If Ethan and his men arrived and saw it, they would know he

muffled groan escaping his lips

been a problem for Josiah to carry him. However,

now. Every step sent a

steadied himself. Then, he took a step, then another,

he talked to Conner,

you've got guts, you know that? Tania tied you up here to stop you

of going back to save Joyce, weren't you? Right..." Josiah trailed off before adding abruptly, "I forgot to

Joyce had nothing to do with Josiah, Joyce was his daughter. Still, he

However, Conner remained unresponsive.

crept into

voice. "Conner, show some

Where are you

for you to save her

picking up