Chapter 213

When Jason saw them, he was overcome with excitement. "Oh my goodness, I finally found you!" he cried, kneeling and sobbing uncontrollably. This puzzled Cynthia. The assistant director was also weeping. "Clifford said that if we couldn't find you, he'd send us all to Zimloo to film a documentary," he explained. For the past two days, although the livestream had been running normally, they'd been unable to overcome the technical barriers to tracking their location.

They couldn't pinpoint their location from the livestream footage, only guessing they'd drifted to some island. But with countless small islands scattered across the sea, finding them was proving exceptionally difficult.

As the crew felt overwhelmed and frantic, the livestream suddenly went black. Their newfound hope was instantly extinguished. Nobody knew who was responsible for this disruption.

However, a few hours later, Jason received a location directly to his phone—the precise location of the mysterious island. Surprisingly, it was situated between Devil Island and Angel Island.

Oddly, this island didn't appear on any satellite maps; its existence was unknown. Therefore, despite searching extensively, the crew had never visited this nearby island.

Cynthia was shocked to see Preston. The once sunny and cheerful man was transformed. His bright smile was gone, replaced by a gloomy and despondent expression. He had grown so thin that his cheeks were hollow. He didn't run to greet her as he usually did; instead, he remained in the farthest corner of the crowd, disappearing before Cynthia could reach him.

Cynthia sensed that Preston had endured something significant, and she had a good idea what it might be. Sometimes, she reflected, growing up happens in an instant.

Cynthia and Jonathan released the rabbits they'd caught and left the island. As the small wooden hut disappeared, she felt a pang of reluctance. It wasn't just about leaving the island; she understood that their peaceful life was over. Leaving meant entering the chaotic world—a battlefield for human survival.

Cynthia looked at Jonathan, who still had a mild fever and slept on her shoulder. In his sleep, he looked like a child, his long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. His hand remained tightly clasped in hers; even the slightest movement caused his grip to instinctively tighten.

Cynthia gently touched Jonathan's chin. "Sleep," she whispered. "I'll always be by your side." She also napped, and awoke to find they'd arrived in Betrico.

The Bennetts had a private airstrip. After landing, a motorcade awaited. A man in a suit and white gloves approached.

"Sir, Clifford has asked me to bring you home," he said. Cynthia followed Jonathan into a stretch limousine. She sat quietly, her back straight.

Jonathan found this amusing. "Why are you so nervous?" he asked.

Cynthia was indeed anxious. "Where exactly are we going?" she asked.

"To meet my parents," Jonathan joked.

The driver had just mentioned going home, which had worried Cynthia. Jonathan's words only intensified her anxiety. "Can't we just not go?" she pleaded.

"Why? You agreed to marry me," Jonathan said, his expression turning serious. "You aren't backing out now, are you?"

"Could I… maybe change my mind?" Cynthia asked.

"No," Jonathan said, firmly grasping her hand. "You have no chance of leaving me."

Cynthia's palms were ice-cold. "But I'm not ready yet."

Cynthia had heard of Susanna, a kind and gentle woman. But Clifford was legendary, a notable figure in history books.

He had risen from nothing, starting in shipping and expanding from a small cargo boat to a maritime empire. During an economic boom, he moved into real estate, quickly becoming Betrico's wealthiest man within a few years.

However, his story extended beyond business success. He was frequently invited to military parades and tirelessly sent supplies to the front lines during international conflicts, significantly contributing to victory. Afterward, he focused on building bridges and roads to boost the country's economy, and even donated thriving businesses to the nation. He was also a dedicated philanthropist, establishing numerous children's foundations worldwide. He even dedicated himself to combating international terrorist organizations, eliminating significant global threats such as the "Red Moon." Because of this, he was frequently received by world leaders.

He was more than just a businessman; he was a great man. Cynthia felt deep respect and admiration for him.

Jonathan had seen through Cynthia's thoughts. "My father may be stern and unsmiling, but he's not difficult to get along with," he reassured her. "Just answer his questions honestly."

This offered little comfort, but Cynthia had no choice. Eventually, the car pulled into the Bennett residence.

Located downtown Betrico, next to the old palace, the property was unexpectedly serene. Entering the front yard felt like stepping into a garden. A fountain and a winding creek, crystal clear and ending in a small waterfall, housed fish, shrimp, plants, and beautiful stones. Following the creek revealed beautiful statues interwoven with lush flowers and trees, like an ancient painting. Beyond the yard lay the main villa.

Traditional in style, with eaves, artistic beams, and classic brickwork, it exuded an ancient charm. Inside, however, it was modern and sleek, with floor-to-ceiling windows. Yet, rows of antique shelves and rare masterpieces showcased the family's heritage and wealth.

The butler saw them and approached. "Sir, Mr. Jones, you're finally here. Clifford is waiting for you in the study." They followed him.

Clifford was deep in thought over a chessboard. "Sir, they have arrived," the butler announced. Clifford, however, remained absorbed in his game.

The butler discreetly left. Jonathan took Cynthia's hand and led her into the study.