Royanne patted Estella, trying her best to comfort her. Still, the little girl's sobs grew weaker and weaker. "Essie?" Roxanne gazed down concernedly.

Estella had passed out from crying, but tears continued to trickle down her cheeks.

Roxanne struggled to catch her breath; the pain in her chest intensified as she witnessed Estella's wretched state. "The weather is so cold, and Essie's wearing such thin clothes. She won't last if this continues. I need to get us out of here!"

Roxanne removed her jacket and wrapped Estella in it, then racked her brain for a solution. However, she couldn't climb out of the pit, exhausting herself in futile attempts. Finally, in slight desperation, she stopped struggling, holding Estella close for warmth.

The night breeze rustled through the forest, but Roxanne heard no other voices. Despairing, she took out her phone. Knowing there would be no signal, she hoped for a miracle. The phone's light illuminated her face as she searched her contacts, finally deciding to call Lucian. Unfortunately, the call failed.

Roxanne hung up with a wry smile and looked up at the opening of the pit. Luckily, she had a torch, offering some comfort in the darkness.

Just as she was about to resign herself to waiting until morning, a deep, tired voice echoed nearby. "Roxanne?" Doubtful, Roxanne blinked, gazing upward.

Lucian's voice sounded again. "Are you there?"

A moment later, realizing it wasn't a hallucination, she replied, "Lucian! Estella and I are both down here."

Silence hung in the air for a few seconds. Then she heard footsteps above. When they halted, she saw Lucian's weary face peering down.

Immensely relieved, she croaked, "Essie fainted from crying. Hurry and get help."

Lucian's heart ached. He replied solemnly, "I'll be right back. Wait for me."

Roxanne waited. Lucian immediately set off to find Cayden and the others. His face grim, he thought, I arrived too late. How scared they must have been!

He soon met Cayden and his men. Cayden was troubled; despite Lucian's directions, navigating the forest was difficult. Seeing Lucian approach, he hurried forward.

Once at the pit, Cayden ordered his men to get ropes to pull Roxanne and Estella out. However, Roxanne lacked the strength; she was holding Estella.

Cayden considered sending a man down, but before he could give the order, he saw Lucian jump into the pit. "Mr. Farwell!" he exclaimed, startled.

Lucian landed steadily. Roxanne's face was pale; she looked exhausted, holding the tearful Estella. "Bring Essie up first," she said.

He nodded, took Estella, and climbed out. Roxanne was about to climb up herself when Lucian jumped down again and pulled her into his embrace.

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