Fake heiress Real heroine

Chapter 81

Chapter 81

88%

The relentless sounds of gunfire echoed through the woods, signaling the enemy’s position and pushing Quinlyn and the others to run forward.

Quinlyn and Stanley each gripped Larry’s arm as they moved, but the group fell into a heavy silence, each person weighed down as if their feet were stuck in mud.

The Hill family members had red–rimmed eyes, the gravity of their situation showing. Then they hit a snag a landslide had blocked their path ahead.

“What do we do? They’re going to catch up!” A student, who had just been complaining about their exhaustion, began to panic like a fly in a hot pan.

There was no choice; they had to take a detour. The slope was steep, and the earth was too loose. They trudged slowly around the back of the mountain, and by mid–afternoon, they were still deep in the terrain.

At this point, even Stanley and Larry were struggling to keep going. Quinlyn led them to a clearing to rest and checked in with the walkie–talkie to confirm their search progress. “Ivan, did you find Michael?”

Static crackled through the speaker before Ivan’s voice came through. “No, the landslide is pretty bad. Our progress is really slow. Bennett is on his way to find you. We’re trying to catch up.”

The thunderstorm had wreaked havoc, nearly destroying the whole mountain.

Quinlyn bit her lip. “Any news on Michael?”

There was a long pause before Ivan replied, “No.”

That answer sank her heart. She instinctively glanced at Larry, who had his head down, a gloom settling over him once

more.

She moved back beside him.

“No news?” Larry turned to look at her, his eyes still puffy.

Quinlyn usually spoke her mind directly, but she didn’t want to give a definitive answer now. Instead, she whispered, “He only fired four shots; there’s still hope.” If it had been a last stand, Michael would’ve emptied the magazine.

faint smile, “You’re right. I

painfully, tugged at Quinlyn’s heart. She moved closer, hoping to offer

her hair, his voice hoarse. “Don’t worry. I won’t be reckless like

This version of Larry

sitting for only a short while, they began to cry.

Why is this happening?”

out alive to see our parents again…”

all the pride of their families; none had ever faced such hardship, and their faces were pale, each of them

members sat in despair, not even bothering

1/3

20 Mar

Chapter 81

asked Stanley to distribute some water, and then she pulled out a large thermos from her

88%

attention. Given her enormous backpack, it was hard to imagine she’d been carrying it all along the rugged mountain trails. Training weights

the

and carefully pulled out one egg at a time,

Stanley asked, stunned by how heavy they might

them for me yesterday.” As she handed them out, her small hands were soon stained

curiously asked, “Why

for a moment, recalling what Elowyn had said. “To

night but carried these all this way for us. How could we say those things about you… I’m really, really sorry.” By the end of their apologies,

her head, choosing not to respond. She understood their emotions in such extreme circumstances, but she didn’t think she should be the one

handed them each two eggs–one more than

and then shoving the

his own egg and gave it to Quinlyn, his gaze softening. “We’re older; we can deal with

three eggs. After a full day and night of exhaustion, she felt her strength

were about to continue their journey, the bushes rustled aside and Bennett arrived with a few team members. Seeing the armed investigation squad, the student group

flooding his voice as he took in the students‘ disheveled appearance. His gaze landed on Quinlyn, filled with gratitude. He knew it was her bravery that had

uncle… has he not been found yet?” Larry limped forward, hope in