Chapter 157
Lydia glanced out the window, worry etched on her face. “Ms. Claire, it seems elderly folks are living in those houses. Should we warn them p>
I checked the digital clock in the car and the packed seats around us. All I could manage was, “Crack open the windows and warn about the flood. Someone try calling the local emergency services and let them know to prioritize these seniors p>
In the face of disaster, I realized the limitations of what we could do. My priority was to ensure the safety of those with me first and, if possible, extend help to others after. So, we drove away from those homes.
We finally reached our designated safe spot, which was already full of people. As we emerged from the cars, laden with food and water, eyes turned toward us. Our group, complete with maids and security in uniform, stood out among those who had fled with nothing. “We’ll just keep enough food and water for ourselves. The rest we’ll give to the elderly and the kids p>
I instructed the security team. We settled on a patch of ground, and soon, more people arrived, jostling around, children crying, and some even brought along their livestock.
“Downstream is already flooded, and there’s a power outage. No telling how many couldn’t evacuate in time,” one of the bodyguards muttered, scrolling through his phone.
I took the device from him. “Has Claude not called back p>
I almost forgot that he was busy with engagement preparations. His ambitions always took precedence, and I was merely a distraction.
Eventually, I got through to Richard, who sounded frantic. “Claire? Is that you p>
He seemed to know I was missing.
I replied calmly, “Yes, it’s me. Are you with the rescue team? We’re at the Elmwood Springs Fire Department’s evacuation center.” Richard sounded worried. “God, Claire, why are you in Elmwood Springs? Are you okay? I’ve been looking everywhere for you p>
So, he had been worried after all. In this chaos, he was the constant who cared for my well-being.
“I tried calling you, went to your place, but couldn’t find you. I was about to report you missing,” Richard admitted.
“Please, we need help. There are a lot of people here,” I started, but he cut in, eager to act.
“How did you end up in Elmwood Springs? I’m on my way. Someone’s keeping an eye on you, right? Wait for me!” Richard likely hadn’t caught up with the news on the flood, but his immediate concern was my safety.
“Elmwood Springs is in the flood, but I’m safe for now,” I reassured Richard, catching the maid’s suspicious gaze. “Who are you calling?” she demanded.
“The rescue team,” I replied coldly, ending the call without giving away too much, just our location.
Perhaps, in a twisted way, this
disaster was an opportunity to reveal my situation to Richard. But the thought of those affected by the flood weighed heavily on me. While looking around, I saw children’ quietly resting in their moms arms while others cried for home. I had lost a child myself, and my heart went out to them, and I watched them for a long time.
Suddenly, someone yelled, “The water’s rising! We might need to move further in p>
Panic broke out as everyone scrambled around, but luckily, the water level stabilized at ankle height and didn’t rise any further. We all stood in the murky water, too
frightened to make a move.
With a wound on her ankle, Lydia was at risk from the dirty water. We propped her on a stack of water bottles to keep her wound dry.