With the royal family's approval, a massive search operation was launched.
In the blink of an eye, another five days passed. The search parties scoured 20 islands of varying sizes, yet Alyssa remained elusive.
Logically, if Jameson had intended to settle on an island, he would have brought ample manpower and supplies. The search shouldn't have been this difficult. But the reality was that the search and rescue mission proved far more challenging than anyone had anticipated.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAdding to the difficulties, the recent weather at Kontina had been terrible. Stormy seas severely hampered the operation.
On the fifth night, Miley brought sdishes into the room. Seeing Jasper's tired and bloodshot eyes, her heart wrenched. She urged, "Jasper, you can't keep exhausting yourself like this. Your body won't hold up! Please, have something to eat, even if it's just a small bite." "Thank you, Miley. Just leave it here. I'll eat in a bit," Jasper answered in a hoarse voice. Even so, he remained standing at the table, his eyes fixed on a map.
Multiple red crosses marked the locations that had already been searched.
At that moment, Jasper raised his hand again and drew another cross. It felt as if the pain in his heart deepened with each stroke.
"No, you need to eat now." Miley stepped forward and snatched the marker from his hand. Speaking to him as if he were a child, she insisted, "Have sstew, even if it's just a little. I'm not leaving until you eat it!" Jasper's back stiffened. His calloused hand froze in the air before he finally lowered it, resigned. "Alright then." His hands trembled slightly when he took the bowl of stew from Miley.
Seeing this, Miley's eyes filled with tears. She could see that he was physically and emotionally drained, teetering on the edge of collapse. If he continued to push himself, he might break at any moment.
"Where are Jonah, Axel, and the others?" Jasper asked in a raspy voice.
"They're all on their way back to the presidential office. Don't worry. Everyone's safe." Miley's eyes had turned red. She continued softly, "Lyse... She'll be fine too." Jasper felt a pang of despair. A bitter taste filled his mouth as he forced himself to take a spoonful of seafood stew. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. He quickly took several more spoonfuls, a warmth spreading through him.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Lyse... Lyse's seafood stew tastes just like this!" "Yeah... Ms. Altman made this." In a gentle voice, Miley explained, "Ms.
Altman has been preparing all the meals for everyone these past few days. She's spent almost the entire day in the kitchen, isolating herself. Even when people get hungry at night, she's been the one making supper for them. "I never imagined such a pampered, delicate-looking lady could cook so well. Even the presidential chef was impressed by her knife skills and how quickly she could prepare food for over ten people. Axel is truly blessed." Jasper was taken aback. "Amber? How could her seafood stew be..." "Axel mentioned that he was craving seafood stew. I guess Ms. Altman figured out how to make it based on the taste Axel described to her." As Miley spoke, her eyes welled up again. She choked out, "But the truth is, Axel was the one who taught Lyse how to make her seafood stew. He wasn't craving seafood stew... he was missing Lyse." A fresh wave of sorrow crashed over Jasper. He almost dropped the bowl in his hands.
Despite having no appetite, he finished every drop of the stew.
Feeling somewhat revitalized, Jasper noticed the shadow of someone standing by the door.
"Miley, has Ms. Altman been waiting outside all this time?" he asked.
Miley nodded. "She didn't want to be a bother. understand what she's thinking. She's afraid you'd get upset seeing her, but at the stime, she hopes she can help you. She's a very kind woman." Not only that, but Amber also feared that her resemblance to Alyssa might cause Jasper pain and difort.
As such, since arriving at the presidential office, she had quietly helped out, keeping her presence as unnoticeable as possible.
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