Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

In the middle of Sophie's screams, a pair of wet arms caught her just in time.

The warm water splashed up as she fell, soaking them both. Instinctively, she clung to his neck. His warm, damp body made her blush and her heart race, but she didn't dare

let go.

"With your current diving skills...." Richard's teasing voice snapped her back to reality. Embarrassed, she tried to pull away, but the pain in her foot made her wince.

Sophie gritted her teeth, moved to the pool's edge, and slid into the water until only her head was above the surface.

Honestly, she wished she could dunk her head too, she was so embarrassed to face Richard.

If Richard hadn't caught her in time, she couldn't imagine how much water she would have swallowed or how pathetic she would have looked.

The more nervous she got, the more she embarrassed herself!

Sophie sneaked a glance at Richard and saw he had resumed his relaxed, eyes-closed posture.

So she mimicked him, closing her eyes. Given her recent embarrassment and the awkward situation of sharing a hot spring with him, it was not the time for conversation.noveldrama

She hoped he would forget her embarrassing moment.

The scenic villa at Cloud Lake Valley was already serene. Now, in the dead of night, the only sounds in the hot spring room were the bubbling water and their breathing.

Meanwhile, at the entrance of Cloud Lake Valley Scenic Area, a newly arrived Lamborghini was stopped by security. "Sorry, but because Skyline International Corporation is holding an event here, the area is closed to the public for a week."

The car window slowly rolled down, revealing a woman with a meticulously made-up face.

"Not even for me?" the woman asked with a gentle smile.

The security guard rubbed his eyes, looked at her carefully, and then became a bit excited. "Are you Ellin?"

Ellin smiled and nodded.

The security guard stammered, blushing, "Ellin, you've always been my favorite actress."

Ellin's slender fingers, adorned with beautiful nails, caressed the steering wheel as she spoke softly, "I'm Ellin, Mr. Windsor's girlfriend from Skyline International Corporation. May I go in?"

The security guard quickly raised the barrier. "Please go ahead."

"Thank you!" Ellin gave him a warm smile and then drove in.

After parking in the scenic area's lot, Ellin had just stepped out of the car when a cheerful female voice called out from the darkness. "Cousin, you got here really fast."

Ellin walked towards her and asked directly, "Where is he staying?"

Hazel leisurely played with her nails, not in a hurry to answer.

"Answer my question!" Ellin urged, getting anxious.

Hazel laughed, "Ellin, I didn't expect you to be so impatient."

Ellin wasn't in the mood for jokes and asked coldly, "You said he brought that woman back?"

Hazel replied, "Yes, he brought her back and took her to his place. Who knows what might happen between them."

Ellin knew she was doing it on purpose and glared at her. "Where is he?"

Hazel grinned, "What's in it for me if I tell you?"

Ellin, trying to be patient, said, "I brought back some of your favorite cosmetics from abroad last month. I'll give them to you when we get back."

Hazel beamed and stopped teasing, pointing to a brightly lit building by the lake.

"That's the scenic villa at Cloud Lake Valley. Richard is staying there, but..." Before Hazel could finish, Ellin was already striding towards the villa.

"Did you tell him you were coming? Won't he be mad at a surprise visit?" Hazel called after her.

Ellin didn't stop.

She couldn't care less if he got mad. She had only one thought: she couldn't give that woman a chance to steal him away.

After soaking for a while, Sophie felt increasingly hot. Unable to bear it, she sat up a bit, letting the water level drop to her waist.

Her already flushed face became even redder from the steam, and her skin turned a translucent red.

Sophie sneaked another glance at Richard, only to find that he had opened his eyes at some point and was staring at her intently, his gaze hotter than the water.

Richard moved closer, his arm reaching over her shoulder. Sophie's nose brushed against his chest, covered in water droplets.

Richard suddenly grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up at him.

Her panic was written all over her face, unaware of how enticing she looked at that moment, blushing and flustered.

Seeing the heat in his gaze and hearing his ragged breathing, Sophie felt her heart about to leap out of her chest, as if she knew what was about to happen.

The face she had always been infatuated with loomed larger before her eyes. Sophie nervously turned her head away.

Richard immediately turned her face back.

"What are you hiding from?" His voice sounded a bit angry, but the huskiness betrayed his suppressed desire.

Sophie's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz. "I have a cold. I don't want to infect you, I..."

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The next second, Richard forcefully sealed her lips with his.

Although they had been intimate and even had a child together, that was purely accidental. They had never faced each other honestly while sober.

The moment their lips touched, Sophie's mind went blank.

She had no experience in kissing and could only passively follow his lead.

They gradually lost themselves, completely unaware of the person standing at the hot spring room's entrance.

Ellin had never expected to be greeted by such a scene. Her fingers gripped the door frame so tightly that her nails turned white.

Richard held Sophie's head, kissing her passionately. He had never kissed Ellin like that; she had always been the one to please Richard.

Ellin wanted to rush over and slap Sophie. She also wanted to ask Richard what she lacked compared to her. But she ultimately suppressed the impulse and turned away, leaving in large strides.

Sophie began to feel short of breath, and Richard noticed, finally letting her go.

Sophie gasped for air, completely dazed and disoriented.

Richard found her lack of kissing skills and her breathless state amusing. He reached out and patted her head. "Fool!"

Sophie lowered her head in embarrassment, her heart still pounding.

Was she seeing things? Why did she feel that Richard's gaze and the way he patted her head had a hint of affection?

Didn't he always dislike her? Why did he kiss her?

It must have been an accident, just like last time. Yes, it was just an accident.

Richard, of course, had no idea about her thoughts. He suddenly lifted her out of the

water. "That's enough. Go get some sleep, and your cold should be better by tomorrow."

Richard carried Sophie back to the room. As they reached the door, he suddenly stopped.

Sophie saw his face darken and followed his gaze into the room.

The blanket was thrown back, and Abby was gone.

"Where's Abby?" She panicked.

Richard responded, "Don't worry, I'll find her. She might have woken up and gone out

to look for us."

Richard placed her on the bed, but she couldn't stay put and hobbled out to search.

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complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! They quickly searched the entire scenic villa but found nothing.

Sophie was so anxious that she started crying.

She had been sleeping soundly when they left; how could she have disappeared?

After a moment of silence, Richard said, "Today, besides the people from Skyline International Corporation, only the internal staff of Cloud Lake Valley Scenic Area are here."

He took out his phone and immediately called his assistant, asking her to bring the person in charge of Cloud Lake Valley Scenic Area.

Upon learning of the situation, the person in charge took it very seriously, dispatching everyone to search the area and sending security personnel to check the surveillance footage.

Richard stood in the surveillance room, watching the screen with a grim expression.

"We found something!" the security manager, who had been watching the screen, suddenly spoke.

He rewound the footage from the entrance of the scenic villa, showing a woman entering the villa. About ten minutes later, she walked out quickly, carrying a child. Richard immediately recognized her as Ellin.

He quickly took out his phone to call her, but Ellin didn't answer. Sophie also found the woman in the footage familiar. Seeing the name on Richard's phone, she suddenly realized and grabbed his arm, crying anxiously. "Richard, Abby is still so young. Will she hurt her?" She was completely panicked.

She was losing it, but he couldn't afford to.

Richard remained calm and reassured her, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have forced you to

come to the training. I shouldn't have left her alone in the room." With that, he turned and walked out of the surveillance room.

"Richard, where are you going?" Sophie grabbed his arm.

"I'm going to find her." A sharp look flashed in Richard's eyes.

"I'm coming too." Sophie looked at him pleadingly.

Richard glanced at her, nodded, and carried her to the parking lot.

The security guard at the entrance informed them that Ellin had already driven out of

Cloud Lake Valley Scenic Area.

In the car, Richard continued to call Ellin.

After countless attempts, the call finally connected.