NovelBookChapter 466
“No... Brendan, Hillside Village-" Karen's voice was trembling now, her eyes wide as she pointed at the TV,
unable to finish her sentence.
Brendan's pupils contracted. “Don’t panic, don’t panic. It could just be a coincidence, maybe just the same
name. I'll... I'll call-call Lessie. Let me
call Lessie.”
He patted his pockets in a frenzy, only now realizing his phone was in the kitchen. Spinning around to fetch it, he
nearly stepped on shards of glass scattered across the floor.
He exhaled, forcing himself to calm down, then scooped Karen into his arms and settled her on the couch before
rushing into the kitchen.
The two of them huddled together, listening to the dull drone of the ringing tone.
A click, and for a moment, relief-only for a cold, automated voice to echo from the speaker:
“The number you have dialed is currently unavailable...”
The chill in that robotic woman's voice made both their hearts sink.
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Karen's eyes were rimmed red as she looked at Brendan, who gripped her icy hand even tighter.
“It’s okay. Don’t worry. You know how Lessie’s place always has bad signal. I'm sure it’s nothing,” he said, but his
trembling hand as he dialed again betrayed his own fear.
Across town, Ethan Morton had just stepped out of a meeting when he spotted a crowd gathered around one of
the TVS in the break room.
“Hey, Attorney Morton, done with your meeting?” someone called out. “What's going on? Is there a new case?
Why's everyone gathered here?”
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Chapter 466
“No, we're watching the news. There's been a massive
earthquake-magnitude seven. A lot of places got hit hard, they're still rescuing people. The official death toll is
already over ten thousand. Sremote villages are completely cut off; rescue teams are being sent in right
now.”
“An earthquake? Where?” Ethan paused at his office door, then turned and walked over.
“Mapleton Hill, Pinecrest County.”
“Mapleton Hill, Pinecrest County...” Ethan repeated, something about those names tugging at his memory.
“Several villages are missing. Dragoncrest Village... Hillside Village...”
“Hillside Village?!” Ethan's eyes widened in shock.
“Yeah, nobody knows what's going on there-it sounds serious. Not just houses, the ground itself split open in the
epicenter...”
The group kept talking about the earthquake, their voices weighed down by the gravity of it all. Even if none of
them had family there, the sense of helplessness was palpable.
“I have to go. Please tell HR I'm taking emergency leave.”
Ethan tried calling again and again, but every attempt ended the sway-no connection. He didn’t stop to
grab his bag or coat, just bolted for the door, only to spin back when he realized he’d forgotten his car keys.
Grabbing them in a rush, he hurried outside, vanishing from his bewildered colleagues’ sight.
Meanwhile, Zachary Morton had just finished his last class when the news reached him. Without a second
thought, he dashed home.
On the way, his first instinct was to call Six Dawson. Six, understanding right away, immediately shut off the
main power, claiming there was a blackout.
12:19)
Chapter 466
Their grandfather, Xander Dawson, was elderly; until they knew more, there was no sense in letting him worry
unnecessarily.
Liam was in the middle of filming a reality show when, in a twist of fate, the host asked him to call the last
person he’d spoken to. Before he could even react, his phone rang-Tristan’s nflashing on the screen.
The call was answered on speaker, and Tristan’s voice burst into the silent studio.
“Liam! There's been an earthquake in Hillside Village. The whole area’s lost contact-I just tried to reach Alessia
but couldn't get through. I tried calling you a bunch of times too, but you didn’t pick up. Where are you right
now?”
“I... I'm filming a show.”
The entire set fell silent. Even Tristan didn’t speak for a moment.
“Don’t worry, I'll cpick you up at the station,” Tristan finally said, remembering that Liam had a shoot
scheduled today.
“Thanks.” Liam’s mind was blank; he couldn't find any other words.
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