Chapter 252: Chapter 249: Bad News Arrives
"According to an insider, actor Elliana Lyle encountered a sandstorm while filming ’Interstellar Immigrants’ and is now missing. A large number of rescue teams have been dispatched from Frontier City."
When Joy Lyle saw this news on the marketing account video, the chopsticks in her hand dropped.
She was eating a boxed lunch on set, taking a break to watch some videos, but didn’t expect to see this!
Her heart missed a beat, and she wasn’t sure if the news was true, likely just a rumor by a marketing account.
Thinking like this was just a form of wishful thinking; the best way to confirm this was to call and ask.
She tried several times, but Elliana’s phone was turned off.
The moment her hand, holding the phone, fell by her ear, her heart turned cold as well.
This matter was likely true.
But her rationality told her not to jump to conclusions; when she wanted to call Norman Bennett, she realized she didn’t have his contact information at all.
She had to contact Victor King first; he would surely know Assistant Wu’s contact info, and Assistant Wu would naturally be able to reach Norman.
When the call connected, Victor immediately knew why she was calling, and before she could speak, he regretfully said, "She’s missing, and they haven’t found her yet."
The words were like a bolt from the blue, leaving her in a daze for a long time.
In her heart, she kept praying that nothing would happen... hoping nothing would.
Just then, the phone rang, and she saw it was Phoebe Lyle calling, and she quickly answered, "Sis, you know already, don’t you?"
The other end paused for a moment, then replied with a light "Hmm," the voice was soft yet couldn’t hide the sadness.
"Looks like you know too. Call Uncle and let him know about this."
Although there was no definitive news proving Elliana’s death, a sandstorm was not just any natural disaster; disappearing in the desert was as good as dead.
"Alright, I’ll call right now."
After hanging up, Joy’s eyes could no longer hold back, and as the tears were about to fall, she quickly wiped them away.
She couldn’t cry, definitely not; crying would mean acknowledging Elliana’s death.
She worked hard to hold back her tears, looking up at the sky to barely regain her composure.
Taking a few deep breaths, she looked back at the "Uncle" entry in her phone contacts.
Her fingers hesitated to press the call button.
Thinking of Elliana, her nose tingled, and her eyes felt like something was pressing them, sore and swollen.
After hesitating for a long time, her finger finally pressed down.
As the call connected, she spoke slowly with a slightly hoarse voice, "Hello, is this Uncle?"
It had been a long time since she last called, so she was a bit unsure.
A cheerful male voice came through, puzzled, "Who are you?"
"It’s Joy."
Shawn Lyle realized it, laughing cheerfully, "Oh, Joy, what’s up?"
Listening to Uncle’s laughter made her heart ache, wondering if he’d still be able to laugh after she told him the news.
So she said, "Uncle, Elliana encountered a sandstorm while filming and is now missing. The rescue team is looking for her."
As soon as she finished speaking, there was no more sound.
Shawn held the office phone in a daze for a long time, not knowing how to react.
Though he didn’t like this daughter, even felt disgusted, hearing this news still made his heart jolt.
A gentle smiling face began to appear in his mind, followed by the look of provocation in her eyes when she was at odds with him.
By now, he had regained his composure; this news was good for him, it was like a win he never expected.
Suddenly, a smile appeared on his gaunt face, but remembering someone was still on the other end, he instinctively restrained it.
"Joy, is what you said true?" He asked to confirm the authenticity of the matter.
If it was false, he’d have been happy for nothing.
But he trusted Joy; she wasn’t one to joke about such things with him.
"Uncle, don’t worry. The rescue team is doing their best to find Elliana; she’ll be fine."
"My poor daughter! How did she encounter a sandstorm!"
Shawn wailed for a while before hanging up.
Meanwhile, those close to Elliana were informed of the news; Summer Hue was in Zane Bennett’s arms, crying her heart out.
Her sobs made even breathing difficult.
Zane Bennett was heartbroken seeing this.
He patted her back, resting his chin on her head, comforting, "Don’t cry, they’ll find her, that darn... your sister’s fortunate and will be fine."
"A sandstorm... boohoo... but it’s a sandstorm..."
In Summer’s mind, Elliana was already in a coffin. After all, it was a sandstorm, and the largest globally this year, even affecting South City; how could anyone survive?
She recalled every moment from her childhood till now, and the more she thought, the more she couldn’t hold back her tears, flowing endlessly.
Exhausted from crying, she stared blankly at Zane’s jacket zipper, saying, "I want to go to Frontier City to find my sister."
Zane suddenly helped her up, looking into her eyes, he said, "Why go to Frontier City? You can’t help even if you go."
"I want to find her; perhaps... perhaps I can find her," she didn’t even believe her own words as she spoke.
But she still wanted to believe Elliana had a chance to live; that was the only sister in her heart, although she usually acted impudent and always teased Elliana about her height.
She vowed if they found her, she would never mock Elliana’s height again.
"Listen to me, if we go, we’ll just be in the way; let’s wait here for news, alright?"
Zane tried to reason patiently; although this was hard to accept, the living had to live well.
The most heartbroken person now would surely be his brother, whom he was contemplating calling for comfort.
Yet he didn’t dare to.
"I’d willingly give up fifty years of my life if my sister could come back alive... boohoo..." Summer sobbed until she ran out of tears.
"Silly girl..."
By now, her eyes were swollen like walnuts, and with almost no tears left, she sobbed herself into oxygen deprivation, feeling weak all over, eventually fainting.
It frightened Zane, who quickly held her and rushed to the hospital.
The Bennett family’s old mansion also received the news of Elliana’s disappearance, with old Mrs. Bennett kneeling before the Buddha, trembling as she counted her Buddha Beads.
"Buddha bless, keep my granddaughter safe, Buddha bless..."
Old Mr. Bennett was standing alone by the window, his deep eyes gazing at the distant mountains.
His usually pleasant face now only showed solemnity, looking much older.
Though he hadn’t spent much time with the child, he had already taken her as his granddaughter.
Now, with this news, even for a seasoned veteran like him, it was hard to bear.
...
Frontier City.
Desert Highway.
This is a highway built ten years ago, located on the left side of the desert, two thousand kilometers long, directly leading to the Moss Desert abroad.
In the desert, the concrete highway winds like a long snake; occasional sections get buried by sand, but vehicles can still pass.
At this time, a large iron-red truck was driving on the road.