The Wife They Tried to Replace Is Now Untouchable novel Chapter 491

Chapter 491

Dereck, furious, kicked Brian again, but Jackson intervened. In that split second, Brian plunged back into the river.

Dereck was stunned, then roared, “What are you standing around for? Get him out!” Dereck couldn’t let Brian drown before he could even find Jessica. Despite himself, he felt a grudging respect for Brian’s reckless determination.

One of the guards, who had just come ashore, and Jackson immediately dove in after Brian, fighting the current to reach him. By the time they grabbed him, Brian was half–conscious, relying entirely on them to drag him back to shore,

Dereck assigned two guards to watch over the exhausted Brian while he boarded a rescue boat to join the search.

Less than ten minutes later, Brian staggered to his feet and forced his way back into the search effort. No one could stop

him.

As night fell, more rescuers arrived, but Jessica remained missing. With each passing minute, hope dwindled.

Brian’s eyes were bloodshot, his body and mind pushed to the brink, yet he refused to quit.

Jackson had to physically restrain him.

Just then, a shout cut through the chaos. “We found someone!”

Brian shoved Jackson aside and leaped into the river, swimming desperately toward the rescue boat.

“Mr. Atkinson!” Jackson’s heart nearly stopped until he saw Brian swimming steadily. He turned and yelled at the captain, “Bring the boat there!”

Within moments, Brian reached the boat. His frozen hands gripped the edge as he hauled himself aboard, then sprinted toward the figure lying on the deck. “Jessi!” His voice cracked, then froze.

“It’s you? How could it be you?” He glared at Madeline, who had just been revived by the rescue team.

Brian’s mind reeled. He thought, ‘If Madeline’s here, then where’s Jessi?‘ Without a pause, he turned and dove back into

the river.

“Brian!” Gavin, Brian’s father, watching from another rescue boat, nearly fainted at this scene.

But Brian heard nothing, diving deeper with single–minded focus. He swore inwardly, ‘I have to find Jessi. She’s still

waiting for me. I can’t fail her again.‘

Exhausted, he was finally dragged ashore by Gavin’s guards, alongside the newly revived Madeline.

Jackson tended to Brian, wrapping him in blankets, pressing warm milk into his hands. Finally, some color returned to

Brian’s face.

“Mr. Atkinson, I know you’re worried/but you must take care of yourself. If you collapse, who will lead the search?” Jackson pleaded as Brian stirred, ready to dive back in.

It was the only argument that might work. The Grant family was still searching, and the rescue wouldn’t be stopped.

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12 FTT, ZY AUG

Chapter 491

At these words, Brian hesitated.

Seizing the moment, Jackson added, “What should we do with Madeline? Send her to the hospital?” He gestured to the makeshift stretcher where Madeline lay, hooked to an IV.

Despite her high fever from prolonged immersion, Jackson had arranged basic medical care. Letting her die would be

inhumane.

“Hospital? She doesn’t deserve it.” Brian’s disgust was visceral.

Madeline, feigning sleep, trembled upon hearing this.

“Leave her, then?” Noticing Brian’s anger, Jackson said carefully.

“Too lenient.” Brian’s voice turned glacial. “Send her to the underground trading hub. Don’t sell her. Just let her experience the torment she loves inflicting.”

Jackson knew Madeline was over. That shadowy world was no place for the unprotected. Even unsold, she would suffer horrors within days.

“No! You can’t do this to me!” Madeline could no longer pretend. She tore out her IV and lunged at Brian.

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