A Second Chance at Forever ( Eleanor Shultz )
A Second Chance at Forever Chapter 1403

Chapter 1403

Seeing Bernard in such a state, Aidyn and Scott exchanged a knowing glance. They simultaneously pushed their car doors open and rushed toward him. “Mr. Laurence!”

“Sir!”

The sight of two burly men, their eyes brimming with tears, lunging toward him, touched Bernard’s heart. Yet instinctively, his legs took a step back.

As Aidyn and Scott noticed Bernard retreating, a moment of understanding passed between them-‘Back off, man!

Respecting his space, they stopped in their tracks, still looking at Bernard with eyes full of unshed tears. The man stood before them, bathed in the light, looking so radiant it almost seemed he shone.

“Mr. Laurence, you’re finally back, thank God! We were worried sick!”

After a few seconds of intense gaze, Bernard lifted his slender fingers and patted Aidyn and Scott on their shoulders.

“Sorry for worrying you guys.”

His voice was as calm as ever, and the touch on their shoulders inexplicably brought a sense of security to Aidyn and Scott. It felt as if with Mr. Laurence’s return, any problem could be resolved.

The public area was too crowded for conversation, so Aidyn and Scott led Bernard to a sleek black car, held the door open for him, and once he was inside, they got into the vehicle and drove off.

In the car, Aidyn and Scott each shared their distress about not replaceing Bernard for the past six months. The conversation quickly turned competitive, as they argued over who was more worried.

“It was definitely me who was more freaked out about Mr. Laurence!”

“Bullshit, I was the one who was most concerned!”

Watching them bicker endlessly, Bernard, seated in the back, allowed a slight smile to curve his lips. It seemed at that moment he really felt alive. But his smile faded as quickly as it appeared, darkening at the memory of Eleanor’s words, “After this breakup, won’t look back.” It was like a specter dragging him into an abyss.

What was life without her worth? The thought made Bernard’s heart clench, and his fingers tightened into a fist on his thigh.

Catching the subtle change in Bernard’s expression through the rearview mirror, Aidyn ceased the bickering and, after much hesitation, broached the topic he shouldn’t have.

“Mr. Laurence, did you see Mrs. Laurence in Area Opaca? Why didn’t she return with you?”

Normally, a couple would be inseparable after a reunion. There must be a significant reason for Mr. Laurence to return alone.

Bernard remained silent, his brooding gaze revealing the conflict that must have led to their parting.

Sensing a connection to Area Opaca, Aidyn didn’t press further. Instead, he asked about what happened there. Bernard briefly touched on the topic before falling silent again.

Seeing the boss unwilling to elaborate, Scott dropped the subject. But after a long silence, he suddenly turned and looked at the icy visage of Bernard.

“Sir, is it true… that Caleb is gone?”

Scott had grown up with Caleb and couldn’t accept his death, especially by something as trivial as a snakebite.

Caleb had always said a man should die on the battlefield or doing something meaningful, not from a snake bite. How could Scott reconcile with that?

Mentioning Caleb was like firing a bullet into Bernard’s already wounded heart. The visceral image of blood and pain clenched his chest so tightly he could hardly breathe.

“Caleb… he died saving me.”

Hearing the confirmation, Scott’s eyes reddened, and tears streamed down his face. He quickly turned to look out the window, fearing that his tears would only deepen his boss’ guilt.

The mood in the car shifted from light-hearted to somber. Everyone fell silent, lost in memories of their time with Caleb.

After an eternity, a voice filled with guilt broke the silence. “It’s my fault… I didn’t protect him.”

Aidyn lifted his gaze to the man in the mirror, looking at the frosty profile framed by the window. Bernard was no longer the man who held both coldness and softness in his demeanor. Now, he seemed consumed by hatred, a testament to the horrors they faced in Area Opaca.

In an attempt to comfort Bernard, Aidyn spoke from Caleb’s perspective. “Mr. Laurence, you didn’t fail to protect Caleb. He chose to protect you, even if it meant risking everything. That shows how much you mattered to him.”

Bernard remained silent as the twilight cast a golden glow on his frosted lashes, concealing the redness in his eyes.

Finally, Bernard composed himself and shared the events of Area Opaca, Caleb’s death, and why he was trapped there, instructing Scott that upon their return, they were to rally the Siren Organization-he was determined to strike back.

Even if Bernard hadn’t ordered it, Scott would have sought vengeance for Caleb. Now, with Bernard’s blessing, his first act upon landing would be to gather the troops. Aidyn, as Bernard’s right-hand man, naturally followed him back to their headquarters at Fiord Roundabout.