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.

the depths of Josiah's heart. He wondered, 'Is this it for me?' "Ah," Josiah screamed.

sudden halt. The pain was excruciating, enough to make him momentarily shut his eyes, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He reached down,

his pants were torn. His palm came away slick with something warm and wet-blood. The sharp,

sticky dampness. He then reached into his pocket, looking for his phone. He needed to check his wound and contact

be found. "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

Josiah thought he had fallen off a cliff, but no cliff was this shallow. The place

as Josiah's hand had withdrawn, he moved back again. That dark shadow earlier resembled a person. Josiah directed its glow toward the murky silhouette after flicking the lighter off,

throat tightened. A wave of

left leg, a sharp, blinding

to endure it, shoving the pain aside as he rushed toward the

one knee, he reached out and

were tightly shut. He was still wearing

in his eyes, threatening to spill over. "Thank God!" He had found Conner. That meant Joyce

help Conner up and patted his

remained shut. There was no response. It wasn't looking good.

any better. I could stay here and wait for Ethan to bring reinforcements, but what about Conner? Can he

I can't

Josiah made up his mind. He took a deep breath, put Conner's arm around his shoulder, and helped him to his feet. He wondered, 'But what next?' Josiah struck the lighter and continued to survey his surroundings. The tunnel stretched endlessly ahead, an eerie Wind rushing toward them. He had his suspicions-this must be some kind of underground passage. And if there was wind, there had

tow, turning back was impossible. Their only option

off, Josiah shrugged off his jacket and tossed it onto the ground where he had fallen earlier. If Ethan and his men arrived

his back. "Ugh." Josiah winced, a muffled groan escaping his lips as his knee

might have been a grown man, but it normally wouldn't have been a problem for Josiah to carry him. However,

flesh of Josiah's left leg now. Every step sent a sharp pang of pain through

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

to Conner, hoping to wake

up here to stop you from giving Joyce

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

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

However, Conner remained unresponsive.

Panic crept

voice. "Conner, show some

you hurt You finally managed to

waiting for you to save her life You have to hold

them, picking