FLASH MARRIAGE; CHARMED BY THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE CEO - Chapter 426

Chapter 426: Washed Ashore

The frantic search for Henry and Sarah kicked off in full swing after Tim broke into their lodge and discovered that Sarah’s travel documents were missing.

Their mobile phones were strangely abandoned on the neatly laid bed, and every one of their other belongings was intact.

Aside from the CCTV footage of the look-alike impostor that gained access to Henry’s hotel room and left after a few minutes, there were no signs of violence or premeditated abduction.

The female hotel receptionist who interacted with the impostor was arrested and interrogated, while Bamtif Island was turned inside out in search of the couple.

Local authorities, aided by Henry’s film crew and reinforcement units from nearby districts, swept through every corner of the island.

Dozens of speedboats fanned across the surrounding waters, scouring the glimmering expanse of the ocean while helicopters circled above, scanning the coastline and distant reefs.

Neighbouring islands were swept with the same urgency, with uniformed officers barging into shacks and huts, while search teams braved rough tides in hopes of stumbling upon a lead.

Yet the ocean remained cruelly silent, swallowing every trace the abductor might have left behind.

Just when exhaustion and despair began to weigh heavily on the rescue team, a chilling break shattered the tense stillness.

A distress call crackled through the police radio from a weathered fisherman three islands away.

The man’s voice shook as he reported the grim discovery of a male corpse which had washed ashore, tangled in seaweed and battered by the tides.

The news fell like a dreadful hammer on the rescue team as all the helicopters and search boats immediately redirected course, their engines roaring over the dark waters.

“Please God…” Magdalene’s voice trembled with unspoken grief and horror, her eyes reddened from silently shed tears. “…let it not be Henry. He doesn’t deserve to end like this.”

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Blaze sat frozen in his private jet as the sound of Tim’s trembling voice updating him with reports from the island filled the cabin like a curse.

“They’ve pulled the corpse out, Mr Anderson. We can’t say for a fact if it’s Mr Gordon because the fish tore through his face. But we found his signature black diamond ring around his left middle finger.”

“No…”Blaze whispered, his chest tightening with horror.

“And there is more, Sir.” Tim continued in a solemn voice. “His entire body….chest, the back of his head, and his legs are covered with bullet holes. Whoever did this to him made sure he never came out of it alive.”

“No!” Amelia let out a scream, falling to her knees, clutching her chest as if her heart had been ripped from her. “Henry!” She called out his name, wailing, attracting the other members of the family in the other cabin.

Blaze quickly moved to her, wrapping her trembling body in his arms. His own throat burned with a mixture of fury and grief, but he stifled his emotions for the sake of his wife as he spoke in a steady voice.

“Calm down, my love. Let’s not jump to a conclusion yet. It might not be Henry. Someone could have robbed him of his ring and ended up in the sea. We have to stay positive. Henry might still be alive.”

“But who will want to rub him in a peaceful island, and where is Sarah?” Amelia’s voice cracked as she clung to him, weeping, her tears soaking his shirt.

“I….umm…”

“So it’s true.” Michael stepped into the private cabin, his fists tangled in his hair. His face had gone pale like a man who had seen a ghost as he said, “They found Henry’s corpse. He is dead and my sister is missing.”

“Mikky, I never said that.” Blaze was forced to leave his wife as he tried to silence Michael from escalating the news to his parents

“Don’t tell me that,” Michael yelled, stepping backwards. “I heard every word Tim said. Oh god…Henry has been murdered in cold blood and Sarah…”

“What did you say?” Judith shrieked from behind her son.

“Mum…”

“We haven’t confirmed anything yet.” Blaze stepped forward, silencing everyone in a rather harsh tone. “Please… Let’s all keep our fingers crossed and pray for the safety of our loved ones. Yes, they have found a corpse but it might not be Henry. I believe he’s alive.”

“What if you’re wrong?” Judith asked, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks.

“And what if I’m right?” Blaze countered his chest clenching with fear of the unknown.

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Four weeks later…

Thousands of kilometres away from the nightmare of almost a month ago, a frail-looking beauty lay motionless on a soft, cream-colored bed inside a modestly furnished beach house.

The rhythmic hiss of waves striking the shore outside the open windows, and the wailing of the distant seagull filled the room with an almost serene aura.

Yet this tranquil beauty rarely touched her as she continued to stare blankly at the wooden ceiling beams above, wishing it would collapse on her.

Her eyes, once filled with love, happiness, and fulfilment, were glazed and unfocused, as though she had been hollowed out and left behind.

She was looking emaciated from continually starving herself despite her so-called husband’s several attempts at forcing food and fluid into her system.

Sarah blinked once and then twice, her chest heaving slowly. She closed her eyes, wishing she could just die in her sleep.

Henry was gone – taken away from her even before they could be bound as one.

What was the point of living when there was no one to share her life with?

Every breath in her felt like a betrayal.

Each heartbeat felt like a cruel reminder of that tragic night when she lost everything.

She had watched Henry disappear beneath the dark ocean, with nothing but rupturing gunfire crowning his cold grave.

She had mourned him for days. She had cursed her bleak fate. She had tried several times to take her life. But something within her wouldn’t let go.

Sebastian stood in the doorway to their bedroom, arms crossed over his chest, his handsome frame casting a long shadow across the polished floor.

He had watched her like this for days and now weeks, waiting patiently for her to get over her grief. But his patience was beginning to run thin. He had already made her his wife but he couldn’t bring himself to take her forcefully.

As stupid as it sounded, he still wanted her consent to make love to her.

But how long would he have to wait to get this consent?