Chapter 290: What If It Worked

"Thanks," Maggie said, fighting back tears.

I'll find it!

I have to find it…

Ignoring her surroundings, Maggie searched near the table. Inside the temple, three large statues, each several meters tall, had collapsed, along with smaller statues of other deities, about half a meter tall, scattered on both sides. The temple, already cramped with only an incense burner, a table, and a few cushions, was now filled with rubble, creating chaos.

"We're running out of time, Ms. Adam!" Ethan helped her move rocks, keeping an eye on the clock.

Maggie shook her head and whispered, "You go first."

Frowning, Ethan pulled her up. "Mr. Harris risked his life for you, Ms. Adam. If something happens to you, how will we explain it to him?"

Maggie hesitated, then took the watch. "There's still a minute and twenty seconds; give me some time."

Ethan was frustrated and angry, but he found it hard to be harsh when he saw Maggie's tearful eyes.

"What are you looking for? Let me help!"

Maggie nodded, kneeling in the rubble. "A finger—Nathael's finger."

Tears welled in her eyes at the mention of it, but she knew she couldn't cry now. She wiped her tears with her sleeve, her nose turning red as she searched. She'd heard a severed finger could be reattached if treated promptly. Even if it wouldn't be as good as before, at least…

Ethan was surprised to see Maggie searching for Nathael's finger despite the danger.

"Even if you find it," he said, "the explosion might have damaged it. And if it's infected, it can't be reattached."

Maggie's hands kept moving. "But what if…"

Of course, she knew what Ethan said, but she couldn't help thinking: What if? What if it worked?

Ethan said nothing more and quickly searched the indicated area.

Chapter 290: What If It Worked (continued)

As time passed, Alex moved back to the pavilion, letting the doctor attend to Nathael.

"How much longer?" Alex asked anxiously.

"Thirty-six seconds."

"We have to leave now!" Alex said impatiently, noticing signs of Nathael waking up.

"Mr. Harris!"

Nathael opened his eyes slowly. Ignoring everything else, he asked hoarsely, his vision blurry, "Where's Maggie?"

Alex had a grim expression. He's asking about the one thing I wish he wouldn't ask! He felt guilty as he looked towards the temple, stuttering, "M-Ms. Adam…"

Nathael's gaze darkened. He struggled to his feet and started toward the temple, his steps unbalanced but hurried.

Alex stopped him. "The temple is about to explode; you can't go back in!"

"Just let it go," Nathael said coldly, his eyes chilling.

Inside the temple, Maggie and Ethan grew increasingly nervous, their movements faster and more frantic. Glancing at the time, Maggie saw only twenty seconds remained! Sweat beaded on her nose; her throat tightened, and her fingers trembled.

"We have to leave! We don't have time!" Ethan yelled, grabbing Maggie's arm and pulling her outside.

Just then, a wooden plaque wobbled and fell. Looking up, Maggie saw Nathael's bloodied finger, intact, underneath it.

With tears in her eyes, Maggie broke free from Ethan and ran to the plaque.

"Only ten seconds left, Ms. Adam! Let's go!"

Grabbing the finger, Maggie tore a clean piece of fabric from her bandage and carefully wrapped it. She clutched it to her chest and dashed outside without looking back. Ethan positioned himself between Maggie and the doorway. With a firm grip, he grabbed Maggie and tossed her several meters away.

By the time Maggie regained her footing, Ethan had reached her side with long strides. Together, without looking back, they fled the temple.

A thunderous roar erupted, as if the earth had split apart. Rocks soared, dust and smoke billowed, and towering flames erupted. Maggie's ears rang with the deafening noise; scorching heat and flying debris struck her. Maggie and Ethan tumbled together.

Nathael, heading into the temple, paled with fear; he instinctively reached for Maggie, disregarding his own injuries.

Instead of pain from the fall, Maggie landed in a comforting embrace. When she opened her eyes, she saw a handsome, blood-stained face gazing back at her with steely resolve.

"How are you?" Nathael held her tightly, then rose swiftly, speaking in a hushed tone.

Maggie tried to speak, but the roar in her ears persisted. Tears streamed down her cheeks, making her soiled face look somewhat comical. She threw herself into Nathael's arms and clung to him tightly, her tears flowing freely.

"You idiot!"

She looked down, feeling as if her heart had been seared by a branding iron at the thought of the severed finger.

Nathael's voice was rough as he gently stroked her back. "It's alright now."

An hour later, Maggie waited outside the operating room of an upscale private hospital on Maplewood Avenue. The lights in the operating room remained on. Nathael had been inside for some time. The mountainous road had been rugged, and the descent had taken time. Fortunately, Nathael had brought a doctor along, and other experts and hospitals were on standby. Seated outside the operating room, Maggie shivered. The night air was chilly; she'd never experienced such a biting cold on a late autumn evening. She wondered how Nathael was doing.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached. Leslie hurried over. Doctors and nurses promptly helped him into a surgical gown. Maggie rose to her feet and observed from a distance, eager to say something but afraid of wasting time.

Noticing her gaze, Leslie, as he donned his gown, reassured her, "Don't worry. I made a call to ask about the situation earlier. Everything will be fine. You should rest." He turned to the nurse. "Get someone to tend to her injuries."

Let's Start All Over Again, Shall We?