Chapter 52

Screams filled the air as panic erupted, people running in every direction. Chaos reigned. Thea tried to maintain her composure, but in this situation, no one was listening. She gave up, slipped off her heels, and joined the yacht's crew. Lifeboats and life vests were available, but clearly insufficient.

Thea directed those who couldn't swim to use them first, determined to save as many lives as possible. If anything happened, it wouldn't just be the Herrix family affected; Avon Ventures would fall with them, and so would she.

In the frantic crowd, Thea spotted Jake and Madelyn clinging to each other, murmuring dramatically. Her temples throbbed with irritation. Seriously? she thought. Now of all times, can Jake use his brain?

Thea marched over, pulled Jake aside, and fixed him with a sharp look. He greeted her with a smug grin. "Now you regret it, huh? What about back there on stage when you didn't even bother to save face for me and Madelyn?" Madelyn followed, tears welling up. "Jake, I'm so scared, Ms. Rowland. I know you're just trying to lean on Jake right now, but you can't just take him away like that."

Ignoring her, Thea said, "This isn't the time for this. We're lucky if no one dies today, but injuries are inevitable. Do you really want to be the one who faces the blame? Or are you planning on telling your family this is how you handle things?"

Jake's romantic haze cleared, replaced by a serious expression. Thea breathed a sigh of relief and pointed to the panicked crowd. "Calm them down. Show the composure of someone responsible. Don't embarrass your family," she ordered. Jake stared at her, his gaze complex.

Satisfied, Thea turned to leave. But Jake called out, "Thea, I knew. You still care about me. Even now, you're thinking about—"

Thea almost rolled her eyes. Why do I ever expect anything from this idiot? she thought.

As Thea approached, Madelyn latched onto Jake's arm. "Jake, let's just leave. I'm really scared."

Jake shook his head. "No, I can't. This reunion is sponsored in my name. If anything happens, I'll be torn apart."

Madelyn's eyes flickered. "I mean, sure, but you weren't the only one who planned this, right? Didn't Ms. Rowland have a hand in it too? She didn't hesitate to humiliate you earlier, and now she's dragging you into this. She kicks you to the curb when she doesn't need you, and then expects you to come back and take responsibility. She's really gone too far."

Jake frowned, defending Thea instinctively. "Don't say that. Thea may have a temper, but she's not like that."

Madelyn masked her frustration with a hurt expression. "Okay, okay. I'm wrong. But I'm only thinking of you. I'm carrying our child. If something happens to me, it's whatever, but we can't risk the baby." Jake's resolve crumbled. He squeezed her hand. "You're right. Let's get you and the baby out of here."

Madelyn threw herself into his arms, a smug smile flashing across her face.

Thea, irritated but lacking the energy to deal with them, had a pregnant woman to look after. Even though she was only a few months along, extreme caution was necessary.

Thea called for lifeboats to take pregnant women first, but then a crew member rushed over, sweat dripping. "Ms. Rowland, the last lifeboat… Mr. Hendrix took it."