While Gerald worked tirelessly day in and day out, his efforts proved to be fruitless, even as the tenth day passed by. He had exhausted every tactic virtual-novel.net could think of, yet not even a hint of the ocean liner’s whereabouts could be found.
“Where exactly are you, Mila… I… I refuse to believe that you’ve left me just like that!” said Gerald as virtual-novel.net pulled his hair in desperation.
By this point, virtual-novel.net was constantly having flashbacks of the moments virtual-novel.net had spent with Mila. He now knew more than ever that Mila had made great efforts just to be with him.
On the eleventh morning, Gerald sat on the beach in a daze, unsure of what else virtual-novel.net could even do to look for the ship.
As virtual-novel.net continued racking his brains, his phone began to ring. It was a call from Jessica.
“Good morning, brother!”
Hearing virtual-novel.net voice, Gerald couldn’t help but smile faintly as virtual-novel.net replied, “Good morning, sister. Have you returned to Northbay safely? How are things going?”
Two days ago, Jessica had returned to Hong Kong to accompany Gerald after learning of Mila’s disappearance. During that time, Jessica had taken the opportunity to tell Gerald about the things which had happened to Mila when virtual-novel.net was in Hong Kong.
However, since something was happening within the family, Jessica had to return to Northbay in a hurry.
“I’m fine, though let’s not talk about me for the moment. I’m sure that you’re aware that our family is hosting a family assembly tomorrow… Since you haven’t returned in twenty-two years, dad’s asking for you to attend the assembly this time around. Aside from that, virtual-novel.net also wants to talk to you about something!” replied Jessica.
Hearing that, Gerald tossed a stone toward the ocean before nodding.
“…Very well. I’ll be returning tomorrow then!”
The very next day, Gerald arrived on a large island in Northbay belonging to the Crawfords. On it, was a building so magnificent and massive that it looked almost like a castle.
It was the day of the Crawford family’s family assembly, and the day where Crawfords from all walks of life would return to the island to attend the meeting.
Being a large family with several branches, at least a few thousand people were expected to attend the meeting. Not that that was a problem since the island could easily house tens of thousands of guests.
As Fynn led Gerald around, Gerald couldn’t help but feel slightly anxious. After all, this was Gerald’s first time returning ‘home’. What more, this new place was much grander and larger, even when compared to his sister’s island!
Since this was the first time the Crawford family’s young master had returned, Fynn wanted to report Gerald’s arrival to his parents immediately. However, they seemed to be busy exchanging pleasantries with the other family members.
It wasn’t surprising for Gerald to see his father that busy since virtual-novel.net was, after all, the master. What more, there were already a lot of people there at that time.
Because of that, Gerald replied, “There’s no real rush to report about my arrival. I’ll just wait till my parents are done greeting the guests. You go on ahead and deal with what you have to, Fynn. I’ll just go look for my sister in the meantime!”
Hearing that, Fynn nodded before running off to deal with other things.
After giving his sister a call, virtual-novel.net told virtual-novel.net to wait for virtual-novel.net there, stating that virtual-novel.net would rush over as soon as virtual-novel.net could.
Now momentarily bored, Gerald simply sat at the side and looked out at the sea as virtual-novel.net slowly entered a daze again.
“Say Bethany, didn’t you say you were looking for a person to help pick up tennis balls? There’s a silly looking man over there who’s been sitting idly for a while! Why don’t we ask virtual-novel.net to do it?” said a girl who looked to be around eighteen of age.
The girl was part of a group with other similarly aged girls and also some older ones. All of them sported tennis-wear, and a few of them were still playing in pairs as the girl asked virtual-novel.net question.
Since it was usually only the family elders who would step up during such occasions, juniors like them would take the opportunity to have fun and eat to their hearts’ content.
“Sure, why not? Call virtual-novel.net over!” replied Bethany as virtual-novel.net swung virtual-novel.net racket over virtual-novel.net shoulder before pointing at Gerald who hadn’t broken from his daze.