Chapter 498
Visions of Milena’s determined stance from the day before flooded his mind, spurring a mix of panic and fury. He shoved the team leader aside and called out into the narrow passage, “Milena! Are you there? I’m here to save you!”
His voice echoed down the empty sewer, sinking like a stone into a deep abyss, with no response forthcoming.
Was the gas already affecting her?
Ashton dismissed that dreadful thought and persisted in calling out, “Milena! Do you remember the promise you made me yesterday? If you can hear me, respond now!”
No longer concerned with keeping quiet, he raised his voice. Yet, the only response was the echo of his own calls, and the underground remained unsettlingly silent.
Frustrated, Ashton punched the stone wall with his fist.
Milena had been assigned to assist him by his family, and yet he had failed to protect her, allowing her to face such dangers alone.
Just as he was about to be overwhelmed by despair, a faint whisper reached his ears. “Mr. Baldwin… I heard you…”
Hearing Milena’s answer, Ashton’s heart soared with joy, and he swiftly regained his composure.
However, just as he managed to calm down, he found himself ensnared in a dilemma.
Although he could hold his breath to avoid inhaling the poisonous gas, the passage before him was much narrower than anticipated. His body couldn’t possibly squeeze through, let alone allow him to enter and rescue Milena.
At that moment, the only viable option was for Milena to extricate herself from her predicament. Despite his concerns about her current state of health, Ashton could do nothing but helplessly call out, “Milena, please hang in there a little longer and try to climb out. I will take you back to get treated right away!”
“I will…” Milena responded, her voice weary yet determined. Ashton could then faintly hear the soft sounds of Milena’s tentative crawling.
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The wait was excruciatingly long and fraught with anxiety. He had to stay constantly vigilant, watching for any sudden reinforcements from the masked men that might appear behind him, while also paying close attention to every subtle movement Milena made.
Ashton barely made out Milena’s slow progress through the narrow passage. Each movement seemed to sap all her strength, necessitating rest periods before she could continue. His worry deepened as her movements grew more sluggish the closer she got to the exit, her life force flickering dangerously low.
Thankfully, Milena’s will was unyielding. In a final burst of depleted energy, she managed to get within Ashton’s reach. He quickly grasped her ankle and gently drew her out from the confines of the narrow passage.
Even though he had finally reached Milena, joy eluded Ashton. Her condition was dire; her once-beautiful face was now alarmingly red, and her lips turned a dark purple.
Most harrowing were the dense, terrifying red blisters covering her exposed skin, resembling a severe outbreak of herpes. The symptoms Milena exhibited were precisely those described by the team leader of the masked men. It was a clear indication that the poison had permeated her entire body.