Chapter 100: Unpredictability of Life and Death
Many things flashed across Edward's mind as he plunged into the sea. He was most worried about Irene. If he died here, who would take care of Irene and Charlotte in the future? It would be too painful for her to endure.
With a splash, the ocean swallowed up Edward-water surrounding him completely. He also had a wound on his body. It was inevitable that he lost his consciousness soon after falling into the water.
He pictured a scene where he exchanged rings with Irene during the wedding, and she leaned into his arms happily. He used all of his remaining strength to take out the ring he was going to put on Irene's finger.
"Goodbye, Irene," Edward thought. That was the last thing he wanted to say to Irene before he lost consciousness.
Irene almost passed out from shock. She hadn't expected her joyous wedding would turn out like this! Moreover, Madeline had a heart attack, and Edward had just fallen into the sea. There was no time to mope! She had to be strong!
Immediately, she ordered the staff on board to send out a few rescue boats to search for Edward. She would bring the cruise ship back to land and get more help! She would use everything within her power, and the Wilson Group's power, to save Edward!
"Please, Edward! You'll survive! You'll be fine!" Irene prayed.
When the luxury ship arrived at the docks, everyone scurried off the ship in fear. Madeline had been sent to the best hospital in S City. Expert doctors and surgeons would assist her, and she would be accompanied by Claudia. Irene remained behind to dispatch more people to search for Edward.
Elio and Millicent also contacted their families to help Irene find Edward.
"Don't worry, Irene. Edward is very capable! He won't die so easily!" Millicent said in comfort. Irene appeared to be rather depressed.
It would be difficult for anyone to accept such a tragedy had happened during the most joyous day of their life!
She thought about how Irene and Edward had successfully endured various difficulties together. It wasn't easy for them to clear up their misunderstanding too. After everything they had gone through, surely they deserved a day of peace and happiness to last for eternity? Did the heavens think it was funny to toy with their lives?
"Can't they allow a loving couple to get married peacefully? Why are they forced to suffer?" Millicent thought bitterly.
Fortunately, Irene was a strong and independent individual. Despite that, Millicent was worried she would do something stupid and choose to die with Edward.
Irene appeared calm on the surface, but her heart was in pieces. She knew that Charlotte needed her mother, and Madeline had just been admitted to the hospital too. Irene had a lot on her plate. "Don't worry. I'm fine. I believe that Edward is still alive," Irene said firmly.
Elio felt upset when he saw Irene. He thought he no longer had to worry about Irene after her wedding, but things weren't meant to be.
"It's Celine's fault! She might be dead now, but the effects of her damage are still lingering! Edward should've exposed her true colours in the first place and made her regret having been born into this world!" Millicent yelled in anger.
The more Elio thought about Celine, the more he felt something was wrong.
"Hey, isn't it strange how Celine managed to sneak onto the ship and kidnap Charlotte? She shouldn't be able to do it alone. Someone else must have been helping her."
The ship was well equipped with security guards, and ordinary people could not sneak in. Even if they managed to infiltrate the ship, it wouldn't be easy to kidnap Charlotte without alerting people.
Celine couldn't do it by herself. Someone must've lent her a helping hand. This person should be close with the Wilson Group and also hold a certain measure of authority.
Irene had a hunch who it was as she listened to Elio's analysis. That person should've been sent abroad just a few days ago, but were permitted to stay a little while longer because Cameron had begged to attend their wedding.
Irene trembled at that thought. Eric was very likely to aid Celine, for he would benefit greatly from it!
However, Irene wasn't sure if Cameron was involved in this heinous plot or not. Surely a father wouldn't wish harm upon his very own kin, would he? How despicable!
She regretted it truly. Edward and Irene had treated Eric too kindly. That kindness only came back to bite them in the foot!
Elio looked at Irene and quickly stepped forward to support her.
Millicent watched as Elio moved to Irene's side with such speed and wondered if he was still in love with her. What about their own relationship that they had just established?
Millicent shook her head and tried to think positively, "What am I thinking? Irene and Elio are just good friends. Moreover, Irene is in such pain after Edward got hurt and fell into the sea! She needs all the support she can get. How can I be so narrow-minded?"
Elio quickly let go of Irene awkwardly when he saw Millicent staring.
Irene didn't notice Millicent's staring and looked at Elio gratefully. "Irene, do you have a hunch who that person is?" Elio asked. "Yes," Irene said. She hoped that Cameron wasn't involved.
Meanwhile, Cameron and Eric had returned to the main estate.
Cameron didn't think that he would be kept in the dark about Eric and Celine's plan. He had only provided a little help in extending their stay. Eric had told him to sit tight and wait for their plan to succeed. Cameron wasn't that evil. He favoured Eric over Edward, but he would never go so far as to kill his other son.
"Eric! Edward is still your brother! Why did you do such a thing?! You should've discussed this with me in advance! Why didn't you?" Cameron yelled in anger.
"It wasn't my idea. Celine told me she wanted revenge against Irene. I didn't think she would change her mind at the very last moment," Eric said calmly. Deep down, he was happy, but he maintained a poker face.
"It really wasn't you? You didn't ask Celine to drag Edward into the ocean?" Cameron asked, still doubtful about the truth.
"I didn't. Dad, you know that Celine is madly in love with Edward. She's a total nutjob. Even I am unable to predict her actions," Eric said, pretending to be sad.
"Alas! Edward has perished, and Mum is in the hospital again. It seems like you're the only one capable of managing the company," Cameron said coldly, shedding a few drops of crocodile tears.
Cameron wasn't the slightest bit
concerned about Edward's welfare. He was worried that Eric might find himself in trouble because of
s death. If the public fonet
out he fought Edward for the president's position, he would be branded as a murderer w killed
his own brother.
Cameron didn't care about Edward. As long as Eric wasn't involved, he wouldn't be concerned.
Eric hadn't expected this outcome at all. Still, things were in his favour. If Edward died in the ocean, then he wouldn't have to fight him for the company.
Celine had come to him for help because she wanted to kidnap and use Charlotte as a means to threaten Irene. She would use Charlotte to lure Irene away from the crowds, then torture her to her heart's content.
Even if she couldn't kill her, she would be content as long as Irene was hurt during her wedding. If Celine couldn't marry Edward, then nobody could!
That was why Celine had come to Eric for help. She could ruin their wedding and get her revenge!
Edward would be elated on his wedding day, so nobody could say anything if someone accidentally gave him a push from behind.
Then while Edward was busy searching for Irene, he wouldn't pay attention to himself. Eric could easily take the opportunity to seize control of the company.
By the time Edward returned to his senses, Eric could send him abroad if he pleased.
Yet, Eric would rejoice even if the plan hadn't unfolded exactly like he had intended it to. As long as he managed to place a burden on Edward, he would be satisfied.
Yet things had taken an unexpected turn. Celine had dragged Edward into the ocean, and nobody knew if he was alive. The company no longer had a president, and control of the company belonged to Eric and Cameron. Who could go against them?
Even if he managed to survive,
things would be different by the time
he recovered. Eric and Cameron
would've removed all who were loyal to Edward. How would he have the means to turn the tables? He would have no choice but to accept his fate!
Eric didn't expect the tides to turn in his favour. He owed Celine his gratitude.
Eric had no concern for Celine or their child in her belly. He was only focused on the company.
Moreover, nobody could trace these things back to him. He could easily shift the blame to Celine. After all, dead people don't speak, and he had only provided minor assistance.
Celine was the one who hurt people.
He did share some responsibility, but he could easily tell the public that Celine had threatened him with the child in her belly. He could twist the facts and say that he had no choice but to help her in order to protect his child.
Wasn't he such a loving and dependable brother?
In any case, Edward and Celine had gone missing, so he could easily twist the facts in his favour. On that note, Eric began to feel complacent.
Eric didn't know that Elio and Irene had figured things out. He was confident that nothing would happen to him even if Irene found out. What could a mere woman like her do to him? How could she protect the company?
Yet, everything was up to fate. Perhaps things wouldn't continue to develop in this manner.
Irene was currently on her way to the hospital.
Irene met Claudia outside the operating room. She appeared extremely sad and haggard.
Claudia looked at Irene and asked with hope, "Have you found Edward, Irene?"
Irene couldn't bear to answer Claudia. She also wanted to locate Edward as soon as possible.
"No," Irene said.
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