The others were worried, too, since the mountain was huge. However, they were at a resort, so they were technically safe.
However, Sarah and Butterfly still couldn't find Ysabelle anywhere.
Sarah was looking a little pale. A misstep in this snowy area may spell one's doom!
“Where's Sophie? Why is she gone as well?” It was then Cecelia realized that Sophie had disappeared, too. I thought we all agreed to meet up back here after an hour.
Butterfly expression turned grim.
“What do we do? There's an avalanche over there. Quick, we need to do a headcount to see if everyone's here.”
“Yeah! Everyone, please do that because a few women were said to be trapped underneath the snow due to the avalanche.”
Butterfly and Cecelia exchanged a glance upon hearing that conversation between two random people. It can't be, can it? Then again, Sophie and Ysabelle are both absent!
While Sarah was also panicking, she was aware she needed to remain calm.
“What do we do now, Sarah?” Cecelia had always been a star, so regardless of what happened, she would always count on her manager to handle matters for her. However, at that moment, she honestly had no idea what to do.
In response, Sarah pulled out her phone and continued to call Sophie and Ysabelle, but neither of them answered.
Consequently, she began grimacing as well.
“Don't panic. Sophie is quite skilled. If Ysabelle's with her, they'll probably be fine.” Butterfly was aware of how scarily adept Sophie was.
As time marched on, she also couldn't help but worry. Sadly, she had no clue what to do next.
“We should split up and find them,” Cecelia suggested.
“It's dangerous here, and you're a star, Cecelia. Many people know you, so you should go back first,” Sarah urged. I can't let her stay here after what happened.
Immediately, Cecelia shook her head. “How can I leave when I don't know what their situation is right now?” I'm not the type who'll abandon my friends!
Butterfly argued, “Listen to Sarah, Cecelia. Someone has already recognized you! You'll only bring chaos if you don't leave this place.”
Aggrievedly, Cecelia refused, “There's no way I can leave at ease without knowing how Sophie's doing right now.” Perhaps others don't understand my friendship with Sophie, but I genuinely can't sit by and watch something terrible happen to her.
“Relax! Nothing bad will happen with Sarah and me around. Also, the rescue team has arrived, so things will be fine,” Butterfly assured.
After Cecelia was sent back to the hotel, she kept checking her phone anxiously for the latest news about the avalanche. However, there was no information about Sophie or Ysabelle.
Additionally, she would call them both every few minutes, but they never answered.
Meanwhile, the rescue team, Sarah, and Butterfly were all busy searching for Ysabelle and Sophie.
However, they still couldn't find any traces of the duo even after sunset.
Butterfly's countenance grew darker. The longer we take to locate them, the less likely we'll find them alive. As capable as Sophie is, she can't just brush off an avalanche.
“What do we do now, Sarah?” she asked. The rescue team members don't seem to be giving their best. If this continues, we may never see the two of them again.
It was then Tristan called Sarah, likely because he had learned the news.
After Sarah answered the call, she spoke in a trembling voice. “Sophie and Ysabelle haven't been located yet. The rescue team has been searching for them. So far, ten bodies have been discovered dead.”
She didn't want to imagine what Sophie and Ysabelle would do if something really happened to them.
Tristan tightened his grip around the phone and pursed his lips straight. “Okay, I got it. Felix and I are on our way. You girls take good care of yourselves.”
Then he hung up the phone.
His words put Sarah at ease a little. While she was his older sister, she still relied heavily on him.
Often, a few words from him would be enough to reassure her.
Meanwhile, Tristan and Felix were already boarding a plane because they immediately arranged for the flight once they learned of the news.
They didn't speak much to each other during the flight, but they were thinking of the same thing. If they knew an avalanche was going to happen, they wouldn't have let the girls leave.
Felix especially was feeling regretful. If I had insisted on going with her that day, perhaps this wouldn't have happened.
As for Tristan, he was staring at the picture of Sophie skiing on his phone. She still looks so alive here. I have to believe she's doing fine.
By the time the men arrived at their destination, it was already past four in the morning, meaning it had been more than ten hours since Sophie and Ysabelle had disappeared.
The possibility of anyone still alive was slim after so much time had passed.
When Sarah saw Tristan and the Jetroinian rescue team he brought with him, she approached him, though she wasn't sure what else to say. “What do we do, Tristan? It's been more than ten hours. With how harsh the weather is, I'm afraid...”
“It's cold here, Sarah. You two should return first since you two can't help out much.” He had arranged for some people to come to pick her and Butterfly up.
“No, I can't leave now! I want to stay and help!” Sarah didn't want to leave. How can I when the people who went missing are two of the most important individuals in my life?
“Go back to the resort, Sarah! You won't be of much help even if you stay. Besides, the experts said there might be another avalanche happening at any moment,” persuaded Tristan.
It was why everyone on the mountain had evacuated except for the rescue team.
Sarah had reached her limits since she hadn't eaten anything over the past ten hours. Thus, she came to realize she really wouldn't be of any help and left the place with Butterfly as Tristan had suggested.
Tristan and Felix scowled as they stared at the white snow everywhere.
The former had already pulled some strings to mobilize Jetroina's national rescue team, hoping to locate Sophie and Ysabelle soon.
“Move faster!” While Felix was directing other people, Tristan stood and watched.
The death count continued to climb.
The only good news was that Sophie and Ysabelle weren't among those who were found dead.
“Mr. Tristan, do you think...” When Felix thought about how much pain the woman he loved might be in, he felt difficulty breathing. I don't know what to do. While I hope she'll be fine, it has been half a day since she disappeared. The chances of her survival are small...
“They'll be fine. Don't worry,” Tristan comforted. We mustn't panic right now. I believe in Sophie. She knows how much I love her. There's no way she'll abandon me and leave this world so soon. That's why we shouldn't panic and just search for them.
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