Chapter 128
Chapter 128
Ivy looked around, surprised that her mountain path had led her right next to the sea, which was not even marked on her map. It appeared to be two worlds colliding. The sea’s rolling waves lapped at the shore. Ivy took Brad’s hand in hers and climbed into the boat. The sea had left her somewhat traumatized. Every day on the island, she looked out into the sea and felt hopeless. She didn’t want to remember those dark memories because she nearly died there. Ivy was puzzled as she examined the map. This sea map was simply confusing. Brad laughed heartily from the side, his demeanor devilishly charming. “You don’t need to look at it, Ms. Morgan. A layperson will not understand it.” Ivy stowed it and looked up at him. “Do you know where you’re going?” Brad cocked his brow. “Of course, but we aren’t in the right place right now. You should take a seat.” The speedboat sped away after he said that. Ivy was almost thrown overboard. She clung to the railing beside her. The seawater got into her mouth and nearly killed her! Brad slowed down and looked back at Ivy after she coughed violently. He shook his head. “Didn’t you sit still?” She gave him a strange look. His eyes were clear and devoid of malice. He even looked at her, surprised and concerned. He clearly did not intend to do this. This scene drew the attention of the viewers, who actively commented on it. Brad is such a jerk! Is his appearance the only thing he has going for him? Oh no, my Ivy has finally met a formidable foe. Take precautions, boo! Brad Cooper is an internationally renowned explorer. Has he ever taken part in such a lighthearted adventure variety show? Ivy resisted the curse words on the tip of her tongue. Brad saw the situation and decided to slow down the boat.
They could no longer see the coast from where they were in less than ten minutes. “Vince said you’re competent, Ms. Morgan.” Brad gave her a friendly smile and looked her in the eyes. He had some qualms. ‘Why does she appear frail?’ Ivy gave a hurried smile. “He also said you’re competent, Mr. Cooper.” Brad’s smile widened. “How did you get into exploration?” “I don’t like it. Vince drew me in just to make up the numbers.” Brad raised an eyebrow and muttered. “He said you begged to come here.” Ivy’s lips twitched. “You’ve known Vince for a long time, right?” Brad cast a longing glance into the distance. The vast ocean was churning with waves. The cold wind stung their cheeks. “Yeah, we’ve known each other for a long time. Vince and I have been on various adventures together since my girlfriend’s death, giving our lives to the world.” Ivy was taken aback and stiffened a little. ‘Did I just inadvertently wrest into his secrets?’ She blinked and quickly changed the subject. “Hey, where exactly are we going? Is it in the sea?” If that were the case, the group on the mountain path would never arrive at their destination. Brad reached out and pointed to the sky. “It’s there.” Ivy looked up. A few white clouds dotted the blue sky. She could see a few looming mountain tops when she looked towards the shore. She gave him a doubtful look. Brad pursed his lips sullenly. “There are a few marked sailboats around here. If we look down and see the panoramic view, we’ll know where we’re going.” Ivy pursed her lips in thought. ‘How come it’s so simple yet so difficult? Panoramic view? How are we supposed to get that? We’re in the sea.’
Brad saw through her doubts and pointed to the sea. “This position corresponds to the solar elevation angle and the geographic markers on the map. The tools we require are in the sea.” Ivy suddenly felt suffocated. ‘We have to go under the sea to get to the sky? What kind of stupid show is this? Is it their intention to torture us?!’ she reflected. Brad climbed aboard the speedboat and donned his diving gear. Ivy was astounded. Brad looked at her for a moment, pondering. “Did you want to dive by yourself, Ms. Morgan?” Ivy smiled awkwardly. “I don’t know how to swim.” Brad remained silent for ten seconds as he processed this information. Vince, a professional explorer, had praised Ivy as if she were a god, but it turned out that she couldn’t swim? Ivy sat there, blinking innocently. She was also ashamed. Brad paused in his actions. “Then… Just wait for me up here.” Ivy nodded solemnly. Brad put on his wetsuit and dived into the sea with such grace that he barely made a splash. He truly lived up to his god-like explorer status. There was no movement after three or four minutes. The sea was calm and unusually eerie. Ivy began to feel nervous and apprehensive. ‘Nothing will happen, right?’ Her thoughts were abruptly drawn back to three years ago... Ivy was swimming alone in the pool. The coach she had scheduled an appointment with backed out on her. Instead, a group of ferocious men approached her. Their bodies were completely covered in tattoos. They approached Ivy as soon as they saw her. Their stare was vicious and cold. “You’re the one who saved that soldier, right?!” All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
Ivy immediately recognized these men. They were members of the underground fight club, and they were out for vengeance on her! Although they had spared Ivy and Calum at the time, how could one trust the character of terrorists? When one of the men noticed her silence, he yanked her hair ruthlessly and buried her head in the water. Ivy fought and resisted with all her might. She tried desperately to breathe, but it was pointless. Another man went underwater and tugged on her legs, pulling her deeper and not allowing her to resist. She was completely at the mercy of others. One minute... Two minutes... Seven minutes... She couldn’t remember how much water she had consumed, but she could feel the strength in her body dwindling little by little. Her awareness was becoming increasingly hazy. Her heartbeat became more erratic. She couldn’t hear what the people on the poolside were saying. She felt as if a large sheet was gradually wrapping around every inch of her body like a cocoon, slowly pulling her into the suffocating silence. The water was icy and gloomy. Underwater, her fear of death seemed to grow stronger. She was soon motionless and no longer had the tenacity to survive. The two tattooed men let go of her. She was face down in the water. They eventually left, believing she was dead. Ivy had never felt so cold. The water seemed to have an infinite gravitational pull on her, preventing her from moving even a hair. Just as she was about to say goodbye to this world, a man desperately tried to pull her up. The man’s palm was broad and strong as he began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions. She smelled his familiar scent. It was him. Uncontrollable tears streamed down her cheeks as she realized he had saved her yet again.
‘How could I repay him this time?’ Ivy desired to marry him. Ivy opened her eyes in the hospital and felt a horrible choking sensation. She shuddered for a moment before violently sitting up. When she ran outside, she heard the man’s magnetic and cold voice, which was tinged with panic and helplessness. “She must be saved at all costs!” The doctor in front of the man spoke slowly, “Ms. Perez has lost too much blood. Her RH-null blood type is scarce, and we currently do not have this blood stored in our hospital’s blood bank.” Ivy blinked and walked over. “I can donate blood,” she said. Wyatt Reed looked at Ivy with a frown. He had a strange and cold expression on his face because he did not believe she would have good intentions. Ivy’s heart sank as he failed to recognize her. He didn’t recognize her as the person who almost drowned or as the person he had saved twice. “But you must marry me,” she said solemnly, looking Wyatt in the eyes.