Chapter 1869 DemiseBack on the ship, hidden within the shadows, Rochelle was taken aback, witnessing Gareth's leap into
the water.
Driven by an instinct to rescue, she swiftly tossed a lifebuoy into the waves.
The buoy was attached to a rope, giving Rochelle the means to haul Gareth back aboard if she reeled
in the line.
Yet, Gareth was on a mission to save Elisa. He secured the lifebuoy around her just as cramps seized
her unexpectedly.
Taking in the situation, Rochelle paused for a moment. She recalled Paul mentioning Elisa was a
seasoned swimmer, so the plan wasn't to drown her.
Although, there was a part of her that wouldn't have minded if Elisa ended up drowned. Still, Rochelle's
intention was to ensure Elisa's survival – not out of concern but to give her a taste of humiliation and a
much-needed life lesson.
But then, out of the blue, Elisa was hit by a sudden cramp, giving the appearance that she was
struggling to stay afloat.
Rochelle couldn't help but find the situation somewhat amusing, entertaining the thought that fate might
be playing a hand in her favor.
Of course, it was precisely then that Gareth chose to intervene. "Pull!"
Gareth clung to the lifebuoy, hollering towards the ship, his voice a plea for anyone to hear and rescue
them.
Amidst all this, Rochelle was caught in a swirl of emotions, torn between conflicting thoughts and
decisions.
The commotion had attracted a crowd from all corners of the ship.
As the approaching steps grew louder, the urge for vengeance became all-consuming. Consequences
be damned, Rochelle was fixed on making Elisa suffer, no matter what.
She deliberately loosened her grip on the rope, allowing it to slip through her fingers.
The ship distanced itself, carrying Gareth's figure into the horizon.
Rochelle didn't linger; there was no room to relish her vengeful satisfaction.
She swiftly found a hiding spot, fading into the shadows again.
Bella was the first to reach the scene, noticing Elisa's struggle in the water. Her instinctive response
was to dive in and help. However, emerging from the shadows, Rochelle's voice tinged with sorrow and reproach.
"Ms. Wickam, I've never thought you were hiding behind a false front with Ms. Benett. Your pleasant
persona was nothing but a cover. How could you betray her like that? Ms. Benett treated you like
family, yet you heartlessly pushed her into the sea?"
Their relationship could have been taken at face value from an external perspective. Still, Rochelle had
deliberately marred that impression in front of the others.
Rochelle's eyes shimmered with tears as she voiced her words, a genuine hint of sadness etched
across her face.
As Rochelle's words hung in the air, Paul arrived on the deck, stepping into the unfolding situation
alongside the others.
The impact of her words was evident as heated discussions ignited among the onlookers.
"Could it really be Ms. Wickam? Their relationship seemed rock-solid, and Ms. Benett was incredibly
kind to her..."
"Agreed, but Ms. Wickam isn't rushing to clear things up either. What's going on here?"
"I can't believe Ms. Benett had plummeted into the sea. No way. This can't be real!"
Absolutely unbelievable! Elisa was regarded almost like a divine presence, practically worshipped by
everyone, given her reputation. And she just vanished like that, swallowed up by the waves, without a
trace? For the majority, the primary focus remained on rescuing Elisa.
Paul was a little smug and was about to step in and pronounce Bella's guilt when someone shouted,
"We must turn back immediately."
novelbinThe others finally snapped into action, racing to reach the ship's captain. Paul's countenance took a
swift turn for the grim.
Rochelle planned to stretch out the time before rescue attempts, but an unknowing troublemaker
botched her plan.
With a resentful glare, she aimed her frustration at the person who unwittingly screwed up her plan –
funnily enough, the same dude who had invited Elisa to dance earlier.
Her teeth clenched, and she refrained from uttering a word.
Rochelle kept her teeth clenched as the ship got into reverse mode, silently hoping for the sea to
swallow Elisa whole.
Maybe, by some strange quirk, her plea was answered. But she realized the ship was already miles
away as the puzzle pieces clicked.
When they finally got the captain's attention and begged for a course change, all that was on the
horizon was the boundless sea.