At this moment, the heavy rain had already stopped.

The ancient town after the rain looked more like an ink painting, with a faint view of the scenery across the river, where the tiered wooden houses clung to the mountains and water, while the distant mountains were shrouded in mist.

On this side of the river, Ian Shelby remained kneeling until the rain ceased, completely soaked, face full of tears, heart shattered.

"President Lane." The bodyguard bent down to take away the large black umbrella Mia Lane had been holding for him.

Mia Lane crouched in front of him, reaching out to hold Ian Shelby’s shoulder.

Even a literary Ph.D. didn’t know how to console at such a moment.

Because any profound words seemed pale and powerless.

"Let’s go back to the inn and take a bath first, okay?" Mia Lane’s tone was very soft, as she negotiated with him, "You’ll catch a cold like this."

Ian Shelby slowly focused his gaze on her, saying painfully, "I didn’t protect her. It’s all my fault."

He felt immensely guilty, guilty towards Jocelyn, and guilty towards the Morgan family as well. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"But you can’t blame yourself for this." Mia Lane felt the urge to cry seeing him like this, "No one wanted this, Vera Ford will receive the punishment she deserves."

Mentioning Vera Ford, hatred sprouted in Ian Shelby’s heart.

"I know you’re in pain, we’re all in pain," Mia Lane told him, "But... but if you go on like this, you’ll ruin your health, whether Jocelyn is still alive or not, if she knew, how distressed she would be? She loves you so much."

Mentioning Jocelyn, Ian Shelby felt such heartache that he could hardly breathe.

She felt deep sympathy for Ian Shelby, almost pleading with him, "Let’s go back to the inn first, okay? They won’t stop searching and will inform you immediately if there’s any news."

At this moment, Ian Shelby seemed to have aged overnight.

He was no longer the radiant, handsome genius doctor; his chin was covered with long, rough stubble, and coupled with the dark circles under his eyes, his entire face appeared dim and lifeless.

Finn Morgan stood behind him, feeling particularly upset seeing him like this.

"Dr. Shelby." He also crouched down, holding his other shoulder, "Let’s go back to the inn and take a bath, even if you fall ill, whatever happens to Jocelyn will still be, regret is useless."

Yes, regret is useless.

But what is useful then?

God, can you tell Dr. Shelby what exactly he should do now to bring his Jocelyn back?

Ian Shelby couldn’t help but cover his face and cry... "I didn’t even have the chance to love her properly... It was always her accommodating me." He truly regretted it deeply.

He really couldn’t help but regret!

If he had been more decisive in handling the issue with Vera Ford, just sent her back to the countryside, would things have been better?

Actually, no, as long as Vera Ford was alive, she would take revenge, her personality was already twisted.

Finn Morgan and Mia Lane exchanged a glance, the two of them forcibly helped the numbed-legged Ian Shelby up and brought him towards the inn.

Justin Kingston stood coolly at the river’s edge, waiting for the rescue team’s results.

After a while, in the small alley paved with bluestone slabs, Mia Lane and the others encountered Trevor and Janelle Mills coming towards them.

Upon seeing each other, everyone stopped their steps and felt a bit surprised.

"Brother?" Mia Lane looked at them, "Are you all okay?" knowing also about the incident where Vera Ford attacked Miss Mills, and Trevor jumped into the river to rescue her.

"We’re okay." Trevor took a few steps to Ian Shelby’s side, shocked and pained seeing him like this, "Here, let me help!"

"Hey, you..." Janelle Mills was anxiously saying, you’re injured too, aren’t you?

But Trevor and Finn Morgan supported Ian Shelby towards the inn, and the worried Janelle Mills stepped aside to let them through, as the alley was really too narrow.