Chapter 3

3

Just then, Willow's maid, Juniper, stepped out from the shadows.

"That's right, sir. Even if you wanted to keep my mistress at home, you shouldn't tell such lies!"

She rolled her eyes and smirked.

"If Miss Willow hadn't warned us, the Master would have believed your nonsense!"

"Imagine the embarrassment for the Townsend family! And if Neil found out..."

She realized she had said too much and covered her mouth, but Mr. Townsend heard it.

"Why is she still seeing that unemployed loser?!" he grumbled.

Then, he turned his fury back toward me.

"And you! You're a loser too, can't even keep your own woman in line!"

I gave a bitter smile, but I didn't have time to argue.

I turned to the Mayor and took a deep breath.

"Mr. Mayor, I was an engineer at the Capital's Water Bureau before I was demoted here. I haven't lost my skills."

"I've analyzed the water levels and the dam structure. It's failing as we speak."

Mr. Townsend sneered. "You were an engineer. Now you're just a fired clerk. I heard you were kicked out today."

"You're a nobody. Why should anyone listen to your crazy talk?"

The Mayor's brow furrowed, and his gaze turned cold.

Knowing I was about to be kicked out, I dropped to my knees in front of him.

"Sir! I'm telling the truth. At eleven, a wall of water will smash that dam and bury this town."

"There will be bodies everywhere! I'll bet my life on it."

"How dare you spread such rumors!" Mr. Townsend shouted, his face turning red.

I ignored him and looked at the Mayor with desperation.

"Please, sir, save these people!"

"If the flood hits, thousands will die!"

The Mayor's expression shifted several times before he finally spoke.

"I'll trust you once. But if I evacuate the town and nothing happens, what then?"

I let out a breath of relief and bowed deeply.

"If nothing happens, you can do whatever you want with me. My life is yours."

The Mayor stared at me for a long moment, then nodded and called for the deputies to start the evacuation.

"Mayor! You're actually listening to him? Are you serious?"

Mr. Townsend couldn't stop the Mayor, so he gave me one last hateful look.

"Fine! Let's see what happens when no water comes!"

He stormed out and got into his carriage.

I saw him heading back toward his estate and panicked, following him on my horse.

But when I reached the Townsend gates, the guards blocked my path.

They wouldn't let me in, no matter what I said.

Mr. Townsend even sent a message saying that as soon as Willow got back, the engagement was off.

I had no choice but to ride to the next town to find Willow, hoping she could convince her parents.

"Why are you following us here?"

Neil stood in front of the hotel room door, blocking my way with a smug grin.

I looked at him, trying to suppress the urge to punch him.

"Move. I need to talk to Willow. It's an emergency."

"She just finished her bath and she's sleeping. Tell me whatever it is."

His words were full of dirty implications, but I didn't care about that anymore.

Nothing mattered more than the lives at stake.

"Tell her that her parents are about to die. Does that work for you?"

I glared at him and shouted toward the door.

"Willow! Get out here! Your parents are going to be swept away by the flood!"

"Go to hell! Your parents are the ones who'll be swept away!"

Willow's voice screamed from inside the room, followed by the sound of something shattering.

A heavy ceramic vase came flying through the paper window, hitting me square in the forehead.

The world spun, and I stumbled backward, clutching my head.

The insults from inside the room kept coming.

"You're like a piece of dog crap that won't stop sticking to my shoe! How dare you curse my parents!"

"I'm dumping you the moment I get back! Now get lost!"

I touched my forehead and felt the warm, sticky flow of blood.

Everything turned a dark, blurry red as the blood dripped into my eyes.

"Heh. I heard you got fired from the Town Hall today?"

"No woman, no job... you're just a stray dog now, Logan."

"How do you think you can compete with me?"

"Get out of here before I make things even worse for you!"

Neil's taunts rang in my ears, mixed with the throbbing pain in my skull.

I gave him one last, dark look and turned to my horse.

I had done everything I could for Willow and her family. They chose their fate.

Now, I would leave it to the heavens.

As the clock struck eleven in the distance, a thunderous boom echoed across the valley.

I looked up at the stormy sky and knew.

The flood had finally arrived.