Chapter 93: Elena Ward Returned to the Village in Surprisingly Good Condition

Elena Ward returned to the village in surprisingly good condition. Her recovery was so swift that even Adrian Stone was secretly astonished. Compared to her last episode, this time she had regained her composure in mere moments.

Elena herself noticed something unusual. When Adrian held her, a warm current flowed into her body, dispelling the bone-chilling cold. The comfort was so immediate that she didn’t even shiver before returning to normal. She couldn’t help but glance at Adrian a few more times.

Was there something special about him that could counteract the side effects of her healing force?

But neither of them had time to dwell on it now. Besides, it was a private matter—who would bother keeping it in mind?

Meanwhile, the Clark household was in chaos. When the military jeep brought Emily Reed back, she was carried inside on a stretcher. Helen Reed, who had been lying in bed with a high fever, sprang up the moment she heard her daughter had returned, showing no trace of illness.

Mayor Martin Reed had already instructed Paul Mercer and the others to stick to the story that Emily had fallen off a cliff and been rescued. This matter had to be kept secret, or Emily’s reputation would be ruined. The people from Shilipu would surely keep quiet too—after all, spreading such news would benefit no one.

Villagers who heard about the mayor’s daughter falling down the mountain came by to check on her. Seeing that she was fine, they went back home to sleep. It was the middle of the night, and since it wasn’t their own family’s business, their concern only went so far.

Once the crowd dispersed, Emily was carried into her room. Helen and Elena stayed by her bedside while the others waited in the main room. Now that she was back, everyone could finally relax.

"Elena, is she really alright?" Helen whispered, her eyes fixed on her daughter’s pale face. When she heard about Emily’s severe blood loss, she had nearly fainted. An unmarried girl suffering lasting damage—how could that be?

"Don’t worry, Auntie. Physically, she’s fine. She just needs to replenish her blood—eat more red dates and liver. The real issue is her mental state..." Before Elena could finish, Emily suddenly opened her eyes.

"Mom, why are you crying?" Emily murmured groggily.

Helen immediately grabbed her daughter’s hand. "Emily! You’re finally awake! Do you feel any discomfort? Let Elena check you—"

Then Emily remembered her foolish actions. Her gaze shifted to Elena standing beside her—the same Elena she had always looked down on, the meek and timid Elena.

"What are you doing here?" Emily snapped.

Elena couldn’t be bothered to argue. "Auntie, I’ll head back now. I’ll visit Emily another day." She had been exhausted all day, and tomorrow she planned to visit her eldest sister.

Helen wanted to see her out but couldn’t bear to leave her daughter. "Martin, Elena’s leaving—get her a flashlight!"

Adrian stood up. "Mayor, rest easy. I’ll walk Elena home—it’s on my way."

Everyone in the village knew about their relationship. Martin nodded. "Then we’ll trouble you, Captain Stone."

The night was pitch-black, without even a single streetlamp in the village. Adrian walked ahead with the flashlight while Elena followed silently. When they reached her home, the gate was tightly locked.

"Key," Adrian turned and held out his hand.

Flustered, Elena fished the key from her pocket and handed it to him.

Not only did Adrian unlock the gate, but he also helped tidy up inside. Before leaving, he reminded her, "Lock the door. If anything happens, come find me anytime. I’m your fiancé—if the sky falls, I’ll hold it up for you."

Elena froze. Their engagement...

"Um..."

"Tomorrow I’ll bring you money and food stamps. You’ll need to prepare a lot for school. I’ll buy your train ticket—when do you plan to leave?" Adrian continued without waiting for her response.

"That’s not necessary. I’m visiting my sister tomorrow..." Elena quickly refused. She didn’t want to owe him anything—after all, she had no intention of actually marrying him.

Adrian paused mid-step. "I’ll bring the money at noon tomorrow. If you’re not here, I’ll leave it with the mayor." Then he stood outside the door, unmoving.

Elena blinked in confusion.

"Close the door," the flashlight beam flickered across her face.

"Oh..." Elena hurriedly shut the door. So he had been waiting to make sure she locked it before leaving.

This Adrian—he was considerate, but also incredibly stubborn. Her earlier refusal might as well have been spoken to the wind.

Shaking her head, Elena washed up briefly and lay down. It seemed she wouldn’t be visiting her sister tomorrow after all. She’d go the day after.

The memory of her sister falling off a cliff while searching for her in her past life still made her heart ache like a knife twisting inside.