**Blake's POV**

Astrid gripped the wheeI as she weaved through traffic. The speedometer pushed past ninety, tires screeching when she took corners.

"Slow down," I said. "We can't help Audrey if we crash too."

She ignored me, accelerating through a yellow light. The engine roared as we shot forward, the city blurring around us.

After several minutes, Astrid glanced at me, her brow furrowing. ""You knew all along she was planning to leave,didn't you?"

She gave a cold smile. "Audrey's escape plan with Rachel relied on your grandfather's help. If you've been monitoring him, figuring out their plan wouldn't be hard."

"Was the accident connected to you? Did you arrange it?"

"How could you think that?" I stared at her. "I wanted to stop her,yes.But I have countless ways to do that without endangering her life."

"Fair point," Astrid said, "People like you prefer keeping your hands clean."

The riverside was lit up like a stadium when we arrived. Police cars,ambulances, and fire trucks formed a perimeter of flashing lights. Yellow tape cordoned off the water's edge.

I jumped out before Astrid fully stopped. The scene made my blood run cold.

Two vehicles had been hauled from the river. The larger one, a delivery truck, was dented but mostly intact. The smaller one - Felix's black car-was barely recognizable. It had been crushed from the side, metal folded like paper. Both dripped river water onto the pavement.

Near the truck, a white sheet covered what was clearly a body. The truck driver, I assumed. No sign of Felix, Rachel, or Audrey.

Astrid rushed toward the nearest officer. "What happened? Did you find them?"

"Ma'am, please stay behind the line," he said.

"My friend was in that car!" She pointed at the crushed vehicle. "Have you found her?"

The officer sighed. "We're still-searching the water. The impact was severe."

"And?" Astrid pressed.

"Given the state of the vehicle, we're not optimistic."

Astrid's legs gave out. I caught her arm as she swayed.

"But you haven't found them yet," I said, unable to control the slight tremor in my voice. "So there's still a chance."

The officer looked toward the dark river, where search boats cut through the water with spotlights. "We're doing everything we can. But that car took a direct hit at high speed, then plunged into deep water." He shook his head. "We hope to find your friends while they still have a chance, but..

”

He didn't finish. He didn't need to.

Even though I'd prepared myself, hearing that Audrey might not survive made the world tilt beneath my feet.

Astrid regained her strength and pulled away from me. She slapped me hard across the face.

"This is all your fault!" Her voice was raw with anger. "Blake Parker,remember this - Audrey's fate today is all your fault!"

The blow made me stagger backward. I tasted blood but didn't retaliate.

"If anything happens to her tonight," she jabbed a finger at my chest, "I'll make sure you and Laurel both pay!"

"Blake darling!" Laurel's voice cut through the night. She rushed toward us from Michael's car.

She grabbed my arm. "Are you okay?" Her eyes widened at my bloody lip."You're bleeding!"

She turned to Astrid. "You dared to hit him!"

"I did," Astrid said with a cold smile. "And I'm about to hit you too."

She stepped forward. "Tonight's accident - you arranged it. didn't you?"

Laurel backed away. "What?"

"You've always hated Rachel. Your family never properly cared for her.And you've always resented Audrey for marrying Blake when you abandoned him. Tonight Audrey was taking Rachel away - two people you despise. So you arranged this accident, didn't you?"

"You don't understand anything!" Laurel cried, tears springing to her eyes.

"Rachel and I are the closest sisters! How dare you hit me..."

She clutched her chest、′′Blake darling, I can't breathe... 'Take me to the hospital?"

I frowned at her performance, "Michael, take Laurel to the hospital."

"Yes,sir." Michael stepped forward.

He extended his hand to Laurel. "Miss Rose, shall we go?"

Laurel glared at him with hatred, ignoring his outstretched hand.

"Blake darling," she pleaded, "please take me yourself. I feel terrible...Rachel is missing without a trace. I'm afraid my emotions are too overwhelming."

"If you're soconcerned about Rachel," Astrid said coldly, "then you should want Blake to stay here and help search."

"Your sister is missing, and your first instinct is to drag your fiance away?Yet you claim you care about her?"

She turned to me. "And you - don't pretend to care about Audrey now.You deleted her from your life. Stop acting concerned. Take your precious Miss Rose and get out. You're bringing bad luck!"

"Blake darling..." Laurel's eyes filled with fresh tears. "Walt for me..."

I ignored her and walked toward the river. My mind focused on Audrey.

*She grew up by the ocean. She's an excellent swimmer," This thought gave me hope. "When we had that accldent near water, she pulled me out and cared for me all night. Now It's my turn to find her,"

**Astrld's POV*

I sighed watching Blake head to the river with Laurel trailing him like a puppy.My phone rang - Ethan.

"Where are you?" he asked. "I need the accident location."

"Hudson River, near Riverside Park. About half a mile north of the 79th Street Boat Basin."

"Ill be there soon," he promised.

After hanging up, my phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number:

*"I'm Felix. We're all fine, don't worry."*

My heart nearly stopped. I typed back with shaking fingers:

*"Where are you now?"*

*"Near Mayo Clinic. Audrey was worried about William Parker."*

Relief flooded through me.

*"That's amazing!"*

*"Just letting you know we're safe. This is a borrowed phone. Delete these messages."*

I deleted the messages as instructed, my mind racing with questions. How had they escaped? Why fake the accident? But those could wait. They were alive - that's what mattered.

I scanned the riverbank carefully. Blake was talking to the police while taking off his dress shirt. Laurel stood behind him, looking sour.

I watched Blake pualling on his life vest, preparing to join the search. It

was strange seeing Blake Parker, the untouchable CEO,standing among ordinary rescue workers.

Even dressed like everyone else, something in his bearing set him apart.One glance was all anyone needed to identlfy him in the crowd.

*For a man who always places himself above others to go this far... does he actually have genuine feelings for Audrey?*

**Blake's POV**

"Sir!" Michael ran toward me. "Mayo Clinic just called. Mr. William Parker's condition has worsened. They want you there now."

I stood there,stunned.

Laurel grabbed my arm. "Blake darling, we need to go. The police have this under control. William needs you more."

She lowered her voice, eyes glistening. "You're his only grandson. You can t let him die with unfinished business."

I stared at her. "What did you just say?"

I handed the life vest to a nearby worker. "The hospital only said his condition worsened. Now you're talking about him dying?"

"I didn't mean -"she fumbled with her words.三was just worried."

"Worried?" I stepped around her toward Michael.Fyou respected my grandfather. you wouldn't use his life as a bargaining chip."

I stopped for a moment. "You're not the same person I knew."

Walking away, I couldn't shake the thought that the Laurel Rose of today

was completely different from the woman who had supposedly saved me five years ago.

"Wait!" She hurried after me.′′Ijust misspoke. I'm sorry."