Chapter 649
“Is there any point? Declan, I’ve swallowed my pride, made every concession to atone, and restrained all my possessiveness.
But it feels like no matter what I do, I can’t take a single step closer to her.
Is it true that from the moment I hurt her, no matter what else I do, it’s already too late p>
He stared at the tightly shut window. Every word was as light as a sigh, yet heavy enough to crush all his remaining pride.
In that moment.
He finally understood completely.
The woman he had hurt so deeply no longer needed any of his reparations.
She had made a graceful exit, leaving him all alone, trapped in an endless cycle of regret and self-doubt with nowhere to run.
Over the next two days.
Jarred mobilized his entire network, while Sienna, with Silas Draken’s help, deployed private investigation teams.
They assisted the police in hunting for every possible clue regarding Maloney’s private plane crash.
Everyone’s initial assumption leaned toward an accidental crash caused by extreme weather at high altitudes.
It wasn’t until this morning that the rescue team finally relayed an update.
Jarred received Declan’s call right as he was processing transfer applications.
“Mr. Sterling, suspected remains of the victims, along with aircraft debris, were discovered in Cormorant Cove, near the Northport border.
The bodies have been preliminarily identified as the captain and two flight attendants. The official in charge requested that you and the family representatives come to identify them as soon as possible p>
Jarred’s grip on the phone tightened. He remained silent for two seconds before asking darkly, “Was Sienna notified p>
“The moment Sienna received the news, she headed straight there with Ms. Stanton,” Declan replied.
“Get the car ready p>
Jarred immediately stood up, grabbed his jacket off the back of the chair, and strode out the door.
At the same time, Sienna’s car had already arrived in Northport.
Fortunately, their destination wasn’t far from the Capital.
As they drove into the cordoned-off area, the yellow tape stretched along the road rustled in the wind.
Rescue workers, police, and a team of technical experts were all focused on their respective duties, quietly discussing the forensic data.
An inescapable heaviness hung in the air.
Sienna pushed the door open and stepped out, spotting two rescue helicopters and a forensic vehicle parked on a nearby landing pad.
Thea stayed close by her side.
Just as they approached the perimeter, they noticed a group of technicians in professional gear gathered together.
Standing in the center was an exceptionally striking, tall figure.
The man was tall and straight, his relaxed posture radiating an intimidating aura belonging to someone long accustomed to power.
He seemed completely out of place among the serious, tense workers.
Sunlight filtered through the scattered leaves, casting a dappled glow across his form and tracing the flawless, elegant lines of his shoulders and neck.
From afar, his profile was sharp and refined, possessing a kind of handsome, aloof arrogance.
Sienna initially assumed he was a superior sent to supervise the case, so she didn’t pay him much mind.
It wasn’t until she drew closer and saw his full profile that she suddenly froze.
It was Marcus Sterling.
A technician was crouching next to the largest piece of wing debris.
He held up a piece of melted metal and explained it to the man beside him.
“Mr. Sterling… the melting pattern on this fracture isn’t normal.
During a typical aviation fuel fire, the temperature curve should spread evenly from the center outward.
But look here p>
The tech tapped the tip of his pen against a charred edge.
“The instant temperature peak in this spot far exceeded the upper limit for a formal fire it doesnt look like an exploding fuel tank caused it
It looks more like… a pre-installed explosive device was triggered before impact p>
Marcus lowered his gaze to the forensic data the technician handed him, his long lashes dropping to conceal the subtle shift in his eyes.
His aura remained relaxed and indifferent, quite unlike Jarred’s dark gloom upon learning the truth and devoid of the panic an ordinary person might show when facing a family member’s demise.