Chapter 215. Stranded in 1


    <b>Chapter </b>215: Stranded in the <b>Storm </b>


    Chapter 215: Stranded in the Storm


    (Olivia’s POV)


    I stared at Rachel’s phone in my hand, realizing how helpless I felt without my own device. The truth was embarrassing – I had never bothered memorizing anyone’s phone number.


    Everything was stored in my Waterlogged Smartphone’s address book. Connor’s number, Reba’s, Lily’s,


    even my father’s – I had reliedpletely on technology to remember these vital connections.


    Even if I could borrow Rachel’s phone right now, I wouldn’t know who to call. The numbers that connected me


    to my pack, my friends, my entire world were trapped in a device that would never work again.


    “I’m so sorry, Liv,” Rachel said, wringing her hands. “This is all my fault. I should never have asked you to


    She paced around the small living room, her guilt evident in every step. “James and I should have made the


    trip to Riverdale instead. Then you wouldn’t be stuck in this mess.”


    I shook my head firmly. “Rachel, stop ming yourself. You have a two–year–old son to take care of. You


    couldn’t just leave him behind.”


    “But we could have figured something out,” she insisted, her voice breaking slightly.


    “How?” I asked gently. “You told me your inws passed away years ago. And your mother can’t help with childcare anymore.”


    Rachel’s shoulders sagged. “That’s exactly why I needed you toe. I had no other choice.”


    I reached out and squeezed her arm. “This isn’t anyone’s fault. Natural disasters happen. We can’t control the


    weather.”


    “But your phone, your work, everything-”


    “I managed to contact my father,” I interrupted. “He knows I’m safe. Being out of touch for one day won’t kill


    anyone.”


    Rachel looked unconvinced, but she nodded reluctantly.


    The weather had been perfect when I arrived – sunny skies and a forecast promising three more beautiful


    days. No one could have predicted this sudden, violent storm that had turned our world upside down.


    By five in the afternoon, Rachel was already preparing dinner. Without electricity, everything took longer. The


    rain had finally slowed to a steady drizzle, and the water level inside the house had receded somewhat.


    “Here, take these,” Rachel said, handing me a pair of worn rain boots. “I’m sorry I don’t have another pair for


    Emma.”


    Emma Thompson waved dismissively, walking barefoot through the remaining puddles. “I don’t mind. It’s just


    water.”


    I frowned, watching her ssh around without any protection. “Emma, you’re going to catch a cold. Why don’t you go upstairs and rest? We can bring your dinner up.”


    Chapter 215 Stranded in


    “I’m fine,” Emma replied curtly, her usual aloof expression firmly in ce.


    In the kitchen, I helped Rachel wash vegetables for dinner. The simple task felt oddlyforting after days of uncertainty.


    “So tell me about your life these past two years,” Rachel said, scrubbing a head of lettuce. “How have you been?”


    I focused on the vegetables in my hands. “It’s been fine.”


    Rachel didn’t know about my prestigious pack background. To her, I was just an ordinarywyer trying to make a living.


    “Are you used to working at thew firm back home? Is the sry in Riverdale decent?”


    “It’s simr to Harbor City,” I replied vaguely.


    Rachel’s next question made me pause. “Have you dated anyone since breaking up with Ethan Grey?”


    My hands stilled on the lettuce. I lowered my eyes, feeling the familiar ache in my chest.


    “I did date someone,” I admitted quietly. “But we broke up.”


    Rachel must have sensed my difort because she quickly changed the subject. “Would you like me to cook braised chicken with chestnuts and braised pork for dinner?”


    “That sounds perfect,” I said, grateful for the distraction.


    James Morrison sat behind the wood–burning stove, feeding logs into the fire. The warm glow cast dancing shadows on the walls.


    Emma was on the floor, ying with Rachel’s two–year–old son, Xiaohai. I turned to watch them, surprised by


    the scene.


    “Emma, I can’t believe you actually like children,” I said with a smile.


    Emma usually maintained such a cold, aloof demeanor. She seemed like thest person who would enjoy ying with kids.


    Emma held up an Ultraman toy, making it dance for the giggling toddler. Her expression remainedpletely deadpan.


    “The little thing is quite interesting,” she said matter–of–factly.


    The room fell silent. Rachel, James, and I exchanged bewildered nces.


    After an awkward moment, Iughed nervously. “I’m sorry, Rachel. My assistant has low emotional intelligence and doesn’t know how to express herself properly. Don’t take it personally. She doesn’t mean that.


    She’s praising Xiaohai for being cute.”


    Rachel’s mouth twitched. “Your assistant is quite… special.”


    “She doesn’t usuallye into contact with children,” I exined. “She finds it refreshing.”


    After dinner was ready, we gathered around the small round table. The simple meal felt like a feast after our


    ordeal.


    Just as we were about to eat, Rachel’s phone rang. She nced at the screen, then looked at me with


    surprise.


    < Chapter 215 Stranded in t


    “It’s a Riverdale number. Could it be for you?”


    My heart skipped. “I don’t know. Answer it and see.”


    Rachel picked up. “Hello, what do you need?”


    She listened for a moment, then raised her eyes to meet mine. “Yes, she’s at my house.”


    She handed me the phone. “It’s for you. Says it’s your friend.”


    I took the device with trembling hands. “Hello?”


    The person on the other end seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Then a familiar male voice came through, low and maic.


    “Livvy, are you okay? I can’t reach you.”


    Before I could respond, Connor Rivers continued, his words tumbling out in a rush. “I called you more than a


    hundred times today, and none of them went through. I didn’t get any replies to my messages. I was going


    crazy with worry.”


    My chest tightened at the desperation in his voice.


    “I called Reba Frost and Lily Chen and asked them. They all said they didn’t know where you went. Then I


    went to yourw firm, and they told me you went to Harbor City to find someone named Rachel Morrison.”


    His tone grew more urgent. “I saw the news about the floods in Harbor City and was very worried about you,


    Livvy. Why can’t I get through to your phone? Did something happen?”


    I was stunned, pursing my lips. “I’m fine. It’s just that my phone identally fell into the water.”


    Connor was silent for a while, then said in a muffled voice, “You couldn’t even borrow someone else’s phone


    to call me back. I was worried sick.”


    I felt a stab of guilt. “My phone fell into the waterst night. It’s only been a day, less than twenty–four hours. How would I know you would contact me? And I…


    I paused, then admitted with shame, “I don’t remember your phone number either.”


    Another silence stretched between us. Then Connor’s voice came through, quiet but determined.


    “Harbor City flights have been dyed, and the high–speed train is also out of service. After I left thew firm


    this afternoon, I drove directly over here. I just arrived in Cloudmere and will probably be in Harbor City


    around one in the morning.”


    “You drove here?” I asked in disbelief.


    Connor hummed in agreement.


    I subconsciously raised my voice, panic flooding through me. “Riverdale is more than 900 kilometers away from here. You drove here alone? There have been heavy rainstorms for days here, and there are floods


    everywhere. What are you doinging to Harbor City? Go back!”


    6


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