Chapter 355
"We accidentally activated the warning device, and the door is now locked. Can you assist us in opening it?"
The garden staff member was silent for a few seconds before responding. "We did receive the warning alert, but only our technicians can handle the early warning system program."
"We've urgently recalled an engineer. You'll need to wait patiently for rescue..."
Alexander asked, "How long will it take?"
"Pardon?"
"How long until the door can be opened?"
"Out of our three technicians, two are on a training course in魔都. The last one lives in燕郊. It will take him approximately... five hours to get here."
Alexander was silent.
Five hours would see the break of dawn.
"Is there no other way?"
"Sorry, none of us are technically trained."
They could only wait.
Alexander Laurent ended the call.
He looked at the other two. "The rescue team is on their way."
Thunder rumbled loudly.
A gust of wind carried damp air straight at them.
Sophia Sullivan frowned. "It's going to rain again."
Sebastian Evans scanned their surroundings. "There's a pavilion up ahead."
He pointed not far away.
It was a classical square pavilion with four corners.
Sophia nodded. "Let's go take shelter."
Sebastian hoisted her onto his back.
The three of them hurried toward the pavilion.
Sophia gently patted his shoulder. "You can put me down now."
Sebastian carefully set her down.
Alexander stood guard nearby.
Sophia hopped on one foot to a bench and sat down.
Alexander opened his backpack.
He pulled out a thermos. "Have some hot water."
Sophia accepted the cup.
She took small sips of the warm liquid.
Alexander then produced a set of athletic wear from his bag.
It was for women.
Both top and pants were included.
Sophia's eyes widened in surprise.
"Bought it last minute," Alexander said calmly. "Change into it."
Sebastian pressed his lips together.
He had been so worried about her safety.
He hadn't thought to bring a change of clothes.
"You're completely soaked," Sebastian said. "Alexander and I will wait over there."
Sophia nodded. "Okay."
Alexander handed her a dry towel. "Dry your hair."
"...Thank you."
Sophia's voice caught slightly.
She always knew Alexander was attentive.
But she hadn't expected this level of consideration.
The wet clothes were cold and uncomfortable against her skin.
The two men turned and walked a short distance away.
Sophia quickly changed out of her wet clothes.
She accidentally bumped her injured foot while pulling on the pants.
She sucked in a sharp breath from the pain.
Alexander clenched his fist.
He fought the urge to turn around.
Sebastian was equally unsettled.
Three minutes later.
Sophia called out softly, "I'm done."
The two men returned to the pavilion.
Sophia was drying her hair with the towel, her locks loose.
Her cheeks were flushed, but her lips were pale.
Alexander poured another cup of hot water.
"It's too cold here," he said, frowning. "Is there somewhere else we can go to get out of the wind?"
Sebastian thought for a moment. "There's a climate-controlled lounge, but it's a two-hour walk. And there's no signal."
Sophia sneezed.
She was shivering all over.
She quickly took two more sips of hot water.
Sebastian started to take off his jacket to give to her.
Alexander stopped him. "Your jacket is wet too."
He unzipped his own windbreaker and draped it over Sophia's shoulders.
Sebastian's movements halted.
Sophia's teeth were chattering from the cold.
Even with dry clothes and hot water.
The chill seemed to seep deep into her bones.
The rain started again in the middle of the night.
A fine, continuous drizzle with a howling cold wind.
The pavilion was open on all sides.
Sophia's voice trembled. "So cold…"
She pulled the jacket tighter and hugged her arms.
Her eyelids grew heavy.
But the cold kept her from sleep.
Sebastian took off his wool sweater and placed it over her.
Alexander took out a thermometer.
"She might have a fever."
...
Elsewhere.
Ethan Roscente pushed his speed to 120 mph.
His sports car screeched to a halt at the botanical base entrance.
Amelia Roscente was waiting there.
Ethan shoved the car door open.
His face was icy as he walked up to his sister.
"Where is Sophia Sullivan?"
Amelia didn't dare hide anything.
She explained the situation in detail.
Ethan strode toward the control room.
He grabbed the manager by the collar.
"What are you doing!" The manager panicked. "We're doing everything we can to rescue them…"
"Everything?" Ethan sneereded. "They've been trapped for so long. Is this your 'everything'?"
The manager tried to struggle free. "The warning system isn't easy to bypass…"
"I don't care," Ethan said, word by word. "Get her out safely. Now."
The manager thought this man was unreasonable.
"Security! Call security!"
"One hour," Ethan's gaze was frigid. "I want to see Sophia Sullivan safe and sound."
He turned and left.
The manager stood frozen in place.
Just who was this guy?