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Chapter 415
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There's No Turning Back Chapter 416
"If Mommy doesn't rush into the fire to protect me, I won't let Daddy blame you either—because you helped me see how heartless Mommy really is toward me!" Beau declared.Ralph still hesitated, so Beau delivered his ultimatum, "If you don't do as I say, I'll fire you on the spot!"Hearing Beau's final warning, Ralph's legs instantly turned to jelly. He couldn't afford to lose such a lucrative position in this tough job market.Besides, he actually did know how to start fires safely. During his previous job at a fire station, he'd been the one responsible for controlled burns during building fire drills.…Meanwhile, Finnegan pulled out his phone and called Theodore. The gala performance had ended, and they were all preparing to leave.Theodore sat in his sports car, watching as Finnegan's off-road vehicle came to an abrupt stop nearby, and Elara suddenly came sprinting out. He was just about to exit his vehicle when his phone rang.Theodore answered the call, and Finnegan's voice
There's No Turning Back Chapter 417
Theodore said, "If Beau went looking for Merida, he's probably on the second floor."The second floor served as the students' backstage changing area.Elara kept the call connected as she slipped her phone into her pants pocket. She removed her backpack and took out the insulated water bottle inside.After soaking a handkerchief with water from the bottle, she asked Theodore, "How long do you think I can stay on the second floor with just this wet cloth over my nose and mouth?""If the fire remains uncontrolled—56 seconds maximum," Theodore replied.He had already calculated that after 56 seconds, the carbon monoxide concentration on the second floor would reach lethal levels. Any longer, and Elara risked losing consciousness from poisoning."Alright, then I'm counting on you to time me!"She entrusted her life completely to Theodore, who remained safely outside the auditorium. Though physically separated, they functioned as one—back-to-back against unseen dangers.With the dam
There's No Turning Back Chapter 418
Beau stared blankly at Elara as she desperately sawed at the ropes binding Xavier. Xavier couldn't possibly escape the closet without cutting them.Xavier began coughing uncontrollably. Elara immediately stripped off her outer layer and poured the remaining water from her thermos onto the fabric.She wrapped the soaked garment around Xavier's head, covering his nose and mouth. The cloth obscured half his face, leaving only his wide, panicked eyes visible as he watched Elara struggle with the ropes."Elara, you need to evacuate now!" Theodore's voice came through the phone's speaker, laced with uncharacteristic agitation.With no cameras in the second-floor rooms, Theodore could only monitor the hallway footage from his car. He pieced together Elara's situation solely through the phone conversation between her and Beau.Even as he spoke, his slender fingers flew across the keyboard. The surveillance system itself remained intact, and the missing footage resulted from someone disabl
There's No Turning Back Chapter 419
Xavier, still collapsed inside the closet, stared wide-eyed at Beau.At that moment, Theodore also heard Beau's words through the phone. With one arm crossed over his chest and the other hand resting on his chin, his icy gaze fixed on the computer screen showing surveillance footage of Beau shoving Xavier into the room.Merida stood behind the driver's seat, her small hands gripping the headrest. Her round eyes trembled, and her dark pupils were shaking with distress."I'll keep both of you alive!"Elara's response didn't satisfy Beau."No! You have to choose just one!" he screamed, grabbing Elara's arm with a look that mixed stubbornness and desperation."Mommy! Xavier will be fine! Just come with me!"Let's leave together and reunite with Daddy! We can be a happy family again!"A sudden thought struck Elara. She turned sideways, rummaged through her backpack, and pulled out a bobby pin. Carefully, she attempted to thread it through the knots of Xavier's bindings.Her focus b
There's No Turning Back Chapter 420
Theodore tapped his phone screen, hitting the merge call button.When Finnegan answered, Theodore snapped impatiently, "Where the hell are you? Did you stop to solve world hunger first? Even the old man with a walking stick could've made it to the fire by now!""Shut it!" Finnegan's voice sounded muffled, as if coming through a barrier.Theodore guessed he must have already put on his breathing mask."Going in!"After this brief notification, Finnegan hung up.…Clutching Elara's phone on the second floor of the auditorium, Beau ran out of the room. He glanced down at the screen displaying "Theodore" and decisively ended the call.Though he knew this was his orchestrated fire—that Ralph had guaranteed his safety within the auditorium—his body still reacted to the rising temperature. Even through the soaked handkerchief, the acrid smell penetrated his nostrils.Panic rising, Beau dashed down the stairs toward the main entrance. Four fire trucks had surrounded the building outsi
There's No Turning Back Chapter 421
Beau turned his head to look at his assigned assistant. Meanwhile, Ralph stood clutching his own head, staring in horror at the collapsing section of the auditorium.Suddenly, he felt a tug on his suit jacket. As he looked down, he found Beau gripping the fabric. The boy's face was flushed red, slick with a mixture of tears and snot."Will Mommy… die in there?" Beau asked him again.Ralph jumped as if he had been stepped on. He yelped, "How should I know?"Though he'd scouted the auditorium multiple times, he never imagined the upper structure was so dilapidated that his fire would burn through the roof this quickly!"This makes no sense!" Ralph muttered.His research confirmed the rooftop used fireproof materials—that's why he'd chosen it as the ignition point.His original plan assumed the flames would die out naturally after consuming the combustibles. Now a terrifying possibility dawned on him.The auditorium's material reports must have been falsified! Someone had clearly
There's No Turning Back Chapter 422
"What month was Xav born?" Elara asked Leonard.The man responded, "That's confidential."Xavier's origins and birth month were classified secrets.Elara then said, "Merida's always been the younger sister at home. Could you let her be your big sister, Xav? Let Merida take care of you, okay?""Come play with us again next time, Xav.""Xav! Merida and I have been waiting for you!"Elara's warm voice echoed through Xavier's fading consciousness as he lay teary-eyed in the closet. Suddenly, a splintering sound erupted above them. Something was collapsing on the upper floor.Blood oozed from Elara's hands, the sticky fluid making it impossible to grip the bobby pin. Without hesitation, she tore at the ropes with bare hands, wrenching Xavier free.When the boy tumbled into her arms, two hearts—one large, one small—plummeted from suspense into relief.She scooped Xavier up, but as she stood, her vision blurred dangerously. Each breath became a struggle. The exit seemed to recede as
There's No Turning Back Chapter 423
"How did Xavier get trapped in there?" Ralph whispered to Beau."I don't know."When Beau refused to elaborate, Ralph didn't dare press further.One of the Fisher bodyguards suggested, "Mr. Fisher, let us escort you home first. The moment the firefighters rescue Ms. Jones and Mr. Xavier, we'll notify you immediately.""I'm waiting right here!" Harvey's voice could have frozen hell itself. "I'm not leaving until I see them with my own eyes!""Daddy..." Beau spoke up. "Is Mommy hiding inside on purpose? Is she refusing to come out?""What nonsense are you spouting?"Harvey's gaze turned scalpel-sharp, slicing through Beau's small frame. The boy might as well have been nailed to the ground under that stare."Take Beau home." Having issued the order, Harvey dismissed his son entirely."Mr. Beau, let me take you back."Beau stared at Harvey's broad back—the man stood within reach yet felt continents away."Daddy..." His lips moved soundlessly, but Harvey remained statue-still, of
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There's No Turning Back Chapter 478
Theodore was truly a frightening man! Yet Elara didn't find this off-putting.Wasn't this exactly the sort of thing he would do? She had sensed this man's calculated advances from the moment he began appearing frequently in her life.Soon, Cassie left, and Elara sat in her office chair, moving back slightly."You can come out now," she commanded.Her voice had regained its composure. "You should have recovered by now, right, Mr. Snapp?"Theodore emerged from under the desk, which had been relatively cramped for someone of his size. He blinked at her, his eyes brimming with amusement as he asked, "Was that fun?""I almost fell for you," Elara blurted out, her voice carrying a more teasing tone.The man looked slightly disappointed. "So, you didn't fall for me after all?"Persistent, he leaned forward and lowered his voice to ask, "Did it feel good when you touched me earlier?"Elara's bright eyes sparkled with light as she had to admit, "I didn't expect you'd feel so nice to to
There's No Turning Back Chapter 477
If one word could describe Theodore, it would be "insatiable!"The spasms emanating from Elara's abdomen made her aware of the unusual sensations in her body. In the warm early summer afternoon, even the air in the office seemed to grow heavy and humid.She felt as if an electric current had struck her, sending a tingling sensation up from the base of her spine. Her lips parted slightly, and she couldn't help but feel an intense curiosity about Theodore."Why would someone like you be interested in someone like me?" Elara's voice fell from above him."Hmm? Someone like me? What kind of person am I?"Theodore looked up at her with an expression that seemed completely vulnerable, as if offering himself to be commanded by her.Seated in her office chair, Elara lowered her gaze. As she looked down at this man, a strange and subtle thrill arose in her chest.She finally understood what it meant to gaze down from a position of power. It felt as though butterflies were dancing wildly i
There's No Turning Back Chapter 476
Harvey was annoyed by Ethel's interference in his love life. Elara's decision to divorce him undoubtedly had something to do with Ethel's meddling."I recall that Uncle Leonard has been looking after the Shelton family. Didn't the Sheltons' daughter go abroad to study with Uncle Leonard's letter of recommendation?" Harvey asked."That's ancient history," Ethel replied. "I hear she has done quite well for herself in Melcina. She's returned and taken a position at Quantum Tech under Price Nation."Harvey was about to leave, but he stopped in his tracks when he heard a certain phrase from Ethel."What position does Ms. Shelton hold at Quantum Tech?"Ethel was delighted—Harvey was showing interest in Angie.She described enthusiastically, "I heard she's highly regarded by Priscilla. Since she's joined Quantum Tech, she must be in a top position.""Isn't Elara the one in charge?" Harvey thought. He quickly realized this meant Elara's position at Quantum Tech wasn't secure.Harvey re
There's No Turning Back Chapter 475
Perhaps it was because he had spent recent days shoveling manure for fertilizer, cleaning pigpens, and herding cattle and sheep, but Harvey's germaphobia seemed to have been cured.He crouched down and began searching through the pile of garbage.Seeing Beau standing idly nearby, he sternly commanded, "What are you standing around for? Help me look! If we don't find the stethoscope, you won't be eating dinner!"Beau finally understood the gravity of the situation. With fear and trepidation in his heart, he looked at the garbage scattered on the ground with a miserable expression."Daddy, can I at least have a pair of gloves?""Look!" Harvey roared. "If we don't find it, I'll throw you in the trash can!"For the first time, he had completely lost patience with his son. Flames seemed to shoot from his eyes, and the features of his face were tense and sharp.Beau trembled, held his breath, and crouched down. With a disgusted expression, he began searching through the garbage while
There's No Turning Back Chapter 474
Harvey froze in shock. He pulled back the covers, finding nothing on the bed. He spun around and darted out of his room, leaving a sharp, cold breeze in his wake.Outside his room stood a bodyguard assigned by Leonard. Harvey then grabbed the bodyguard by the collar."Where's my stethoscope? Who told you to touch my stethoscope?" he demanded.The bodyguard was bewildered. He gripped Harvey's hand in displeasure. "Mr. Fisher, please calm down. I don't know what you're talking about."Hostility flashed in Harvey's eyes as he breathed heavily and questioned, "My stethoscope that I put under my pillow—who took it?"The bodyguard thought for a moment. "I did see Mr. Beau playing with a stethoscope this morning. I'm not sure where he got it from."Harvey's pupils constricted sharply. Beau had entered his room and taken his stethoscope?That little brat!Beau, dressed in a gray monk's robe, was surrounded by visitors who had come to the chapel to pray. These past few days, he had been
There's No Turning Back Chapter 473
This time, Harvey very clearly saw Elara's face deepen from a light pink to a rich, blooming rose—visibly, and in real time.Her beauty blossomed like a peony in full bloom. Her long lashes trembled several times, and her dark eyes shimmered as if brimming with tears.She looked as if… She was lovestruck. The moment that phrase crossed Harvey's mind, he was so stunned that his eyes widened in disbelief.Was Elara suddenly getting shy because of him?A strange flutter rippled through his chest. He sat at his desk, staring at the high-definition monitor in front of him, where every detail of Elara's face—even each individual eyelash—was crystal clear.He shifted his gaze to the upper-left corner of the screen to glance at the small preview of himself.After Leonard had driven him up to the mountains, the priest at Atkina Church had given him a haircut. Since he was neither a monk nor formally ordained, it was just a close-cropped cut, not a full shaving of the head.He looked at h
There's No Turning Back Chapter 472
Theodore's eyes gleamed like sunlight shimmering over a lake. He looked like a large dog trapped in a cage, gazing at Elara with unwavering intensity. If he had a tail, it would have been wagging wildly like a windmill spinning at full speed.Elara screamed internally. This had gone a little too far! Her eyes then dropped to the tip of her own shoe. The place she had kicked… had grown!"Oh!" She quickly jerked her foot back, only to feel her body tip backward uncontrollably.Just as she was about to fall, Theodore reached out and grabbed her ankle.The moment his fingers touched her skin, her heart skipped a beat. Theodore pulled her back toward the desk.Elara froze in place like a statue. Her entire body was tense, her eyes were wide, and her pupils were unfocused."Elara, what's wrong?"Harvey had seen her suddenly lose her balance and fall backward. It startled him so badly, he looked as if he wanted to jump through the screen.A wave of helplessness washed over him. Luckil
There's No Turning Back Chapter 471
Elara looked under the desk. What on earth was going on?Meanwhile, Harvey observed Elara in her formal women's suit on the computer screen—an attire he'd never seen her wear before.Her hair was pulled back into a bun secured by a simple ebony hairpin. A few strands, gilded by sunlight, curled against her porcelain cheeks.Though she appeared to be looking down at something, Harvey's gaze and thoughts remained completely captivated by her face. Only months had passed since their divorce, yet seeing her now felt like encountering someone from another lifetime.Had time stretched endlessly during his days at Atkina Church?"El—" Harvey's throat tightened as if stuffed with paper.But he quickly regained his usual composed tone. "Elara—no, I should address you as Ms. Jones now. Had Sam not called me, I wouldn't have known you'd assumed Quantum Tech's CEO position."His voice carried that innate condescension of the privileged, laced with unmistakable mockery."Why are you hiding
There's No Turning Back Chapter 470
Elara stood still as she gazed at the tall, distinguished man before her. Meanwhile, Theodore looked up and smiled at her against the light."Why are you so far away?"Elara stepped toward him, teasing lightly, "I wanted a good look at you.""Then you'll need to come closer." Theodore leaned forward, closing the distance between them.Though she stopped a step away, their faces nearly touched. Elara instinctively held her breath as her eyes locked on him."Can you see clearly now?" Theodore asked."Mm," Elara replied."And?""So handsome." Elara praised him sincerely. "You're one of the most attractive men I've ever seen!"She truly meant it. Theodore chuckled through his nose. She'd seen plenty of handsome men in her life—Finnegan, Harvey, and Leonard. Especially Leonard, whose looks even made Theodore feel somewhat threatened."My face is the least remarkable part of me." He declared confidently.Images of those shirtless photos Theodore had sent flashed through Elara's mi
