Filed To Story: Watch Out! She's a Mastermind Heiress (Isabella Patton) Book PDF Free
Howard found a corner and collapsed to the ground, gently easing Milly off his back.
He brushed his hand against her cheek, the touch tender but powerless. Despite the blistering heat, her face remained cold and pale, a haunting reminder of the torment she’d suffered. Howard whispered, his voice barely audible, “I’m sorry I couldn’t get you out.”
He pulled Milly closer, holding her tight as he braced for the inevitable end.
The waves of searing heat battered him relentlessly, but he refused to let go, his body shielding Milly from the flames. The base was a nightmare, crumbling and burning, as if the very world were coming apart at the seams.
Howard closed his eyes, a single tear tracing a line down his cheek. His heart ached with the regret of not being able to repay his parents for their years of worry, and his sister…
He felt he’d failed as a brother.
Howard, who had never allowed himself to cry, was overwhelmed with emotion.
As the explosion drew nearer, he steeled himself to face death.
“Come on, everyone, push harder!” From beyond the wreckage, a voice rang out. The debris shifted, and a small gap began to form. Bricks tumbled away, and a rope ladder was flung through the opening.
“Howard!” Isabella’s voice called urgently from the helicopter above.
Howard was jolted out of his daze, a spark of hope igniting in his eyes. He scrambled up the rope ladder with Milly, but his strength was fading fast, and he struggled to carry her. Andrew quickly descended, his voice firm, “I’ll take her. You go up first.”
Howard nodded gratefully and climbed up.
Andrew carefully lifted Milly onto his back, then grabbed the ladder and began his ascent. Just as the helicopter pulled away, a massive explosion ripped through the base, turning it to rubble and ash.
The crowd at the entrance was now safely at a distance.
They gazed at Howard with gratitude.
“Mr. Patton, thank you!” someone called out.
Many of them were from Lorpond, familiar with Howard’s reputation.
They knew their escape had been made possible because of him, and their gratitude was palpable.
Howard watched as the last of them climbed into the police cars and drove off. A deep sigh of relief escaped him, but his gaze soon shifted to Milly, who lay on the sofa. Isabella was by her side, carefully checking on her.
“Her vital signs are weak, but she’s still breathing. Thank goodness,” Isabella said. “I’ll start treating her now. Let’s move her to the bedroom.”
Andrew gave a quick nod, and together, they gently placed Milly onto the bed. Once she was settled, Andrew and Howard moved to the living room to wait.
Howard turned to Andrew, his voice laced with gratitude. “Thank you.”
“You’re in bad shape,” Andrew noted, taking in the sight of bloodstains on his clothes.
Howard, usually the picture of composure, now appeared completely battered. Without a word, Andrew retrieved a medical kit and began tending to Howard’s wounds.
Howard didn’t resist; he was far too drained, and within moments, he slipped into a deep sleep on the sofa.
When he awoke, Howard found himself in a bedroom. He pushed himself to his feet, disoriented, and made his way to the living room. There, he saw Isabella and Andrew sitting together.
“Where are we?” he asked.
“A hotel,” Isabella answered. “You were completely wiped out, Howard. You slept for twelve hours.”
Howard, not a martial arts expert, had clearly reached his breaking point.
“Where is Milly?” he inquired.
“Don’t worry, Milly’s resting. She’s slowly getting better and should wake up today,” Isabella reassured, her tone calm. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a crumpled banknote. “I found this tucked in her clothes, right over her heart. There’s something written on it—it seems to mean a lot to her.”
Howard took the note, his eyes scanning the familiar scrawl. It read, ‘Keep going.’
His breath hitched. That handwriting… it was his, rough and a bit childish, likely scribbled down years ago.
Howard was stunned.
This banknote… had he given it to Milly?
A flood of memories hit him, and he found himself recalling his childhood days spent helping Elaine with charity work. He had met so many people—faces he could no longer place—but this note pulled him back to one in particular. A young girl from the slums, dirty and ragged, yet with eyes that burned with fierce, icy defiance.
Could it be… Milly was that girl?
So… Milly must have recognized him from the start, while he had been completely unaware.
Howard gripped the banknote tightly, tears slipping down and dampening the worn paper.
Isabella’s voice was gentle as she said, “It looks like you and Milly have a bond that runs deep, Howard. Years ago, you helped her, and now, you’ve saved her from the organization’s grip.”
But Howard shook his head, his voice thick with emotion. “No… she’s helped me just as much.”
It was Milly who had made him forget the bitterness of old betrayals, restoring his faith in people, in hope.
“Milly hasn’t woken up yet. She’s resting in there.” Isabella pointed to a nearby room. Howard walked into the bedroom.
There, Milly lay, peaceful in the soft, golden light that streamed through the window. But despite the serene scene, Howard knew the weight of the burdens she carried. He sat by the bed, gently holding Milly’s hand.
Her skin was soft and fair, yet her palm bore the roughness of someone who had endured much.
“Milly,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Memories of his past actions washed over him—how he had lashed out at her, those sharp words he had thrown her way, and the petty games he played with Nalani just to make her appear.
Only now did it hit him how foolish, how immature, he had been. Milly had stayed with him because she cared for him… and left for the very same reason.
In his desperate attempts to make her reappear, he had only deepened the hurt.
Tears welled up in his eyes and spilled over.
Suddenly, a soft hand brushed against his cheek.
“Why are you crying?” Milly’s voice, cool and light like the first breeze of winter, carried a hint of confusion.
Howard turned, startled to see her awake, her beautiful eyes gazing at him with quiet concern.
Without thinking, he pulled her into a tight embrace.
“You’re awake,” he choked out, his tears soaking through her shirt.
Milly’s voice was steady, soothing. “I’m awake. Don’t worry.”
“Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?” Howard asked softly as he let her go, his concern evident.
Milly gave a faint smile. “No.”
“That’s good… Why were you locked up?” Howard asked.
Milly’s gaze shifted away, avoiding his eyes. “It has nothing to do with you.”
She tried to get out of bed.
“Where are you going?” Howard grabbed her hand, his grip firm, his anxiety clear.
“I need to leave, to return to where I belong,” Milly answered softly, her eyes meeting his. “You must know by now, I’m not an ordinary person. Staying with you will only drag you into trouble.”
Milly lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry for deceiving you before. I should have been honest about who I was from the beginning.”
Guilt tugged at her.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.