Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Just as Hattie was on the brink of panic, a servant rushed up from the wine cellar and said, "Miss Hattie, the water leak downstairs is getting worse. Do you know what happened?" "Getting worse?"

After hearing this, Hattie's heart skipped a beat.

Could my brother have been right all along?

She struggled to maintain her composure. "Have you moved all the wine upstairs?"

The servant nodded. "Almost everything is upstairs now."

Hattie said, "Then you guys come up and rest for a while. I'm heading upstairs."

After saying that, Hattie hurriedly ran upstairs to discuss the situation with Benson.

Benson finally contacted Hannah.

On the film set, Hannah heard the news and immediately sent someone to contact the real estate manager who had originally sold her the island.

After some interrogation, the truth came out: the island had been artificially expanded.

Hannah was deceived. She felt a surge of regret.

Since several years had passed, the real estate manager now showed his true colours and shrugged off the accusations. "Ms. Leid, how can you say I deceived you? The price for the island was already very low, with a 40% discount. You get what you pay for. I'm sure you understand that as an adult."

Furious, Hannah retorted, "Just wait. I'm taking you to court!"

"That's your right, Ms. Leid, but let me remind you, you won't win," the real estate manager replied.

Hannah was about to explode with anger and ended the call abruptly because she didn't want to speak more with him. She dialled Benson with urgency. "Benson, you all need to leave the island immediately. I just found out from the real estate manager that the island was artificially filled in. We got scammed. With the heavy rain causing leaks, your suspicions were spot on. The island might collapse. Get out now!" Then, she quickly called Benson.

"Benson, hurry up! Leave the island! I just asked the real estate manager, and he informed me that the island had been artificially expanded! I was deceived. Now, it's raining heavily on the sea and it's already leaking. This shows that your guess is correct. The island might be sinking. You must go!"

Hannah's findings matched with the information Benson had already learned from a geologist.

The island was in serious trouble.

He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Mum, where can we go now?

"Hattie has already checked with the yachts, and no one is willing to sail in this weather."

"What? Then what do we do?" Hannah started to panic.

Benson didn't know what to do either. The ocean surface's weather was highly unstable, and the weather forecasts said it would take another week.

The basement was already leaking, and if this continued, things would only get worse.

The geologist had warned him over the phone to leave the island as soon as possible. It was estimated that the island might collapse within a day, or at most, three days.

If it were possible, they would certainly want to leave immediately, but the problem was they couldn't get away right now!

Were they supposed to take a tiny speedboat? That wouldn't be enough to save their lives; a single wave could capsize such a small vessel, leaving it to vanish into the ocean. Hannah lamented, "If we had known this earlier, you would have left with me!"

Just then, Hattie hurried upstairs and saw Benson on the phone with Hannah. She quickly stepped forward and said, "Mum, Liam is on the neighbouring island."

"Liam? Isn't the neighbouring island owned by the White family?" Hannah asked.

When she bought her island, she'd inquired about the neighbouring properties, so she knew the owner was Niall White.

Benson commented, "Liam is vacationing there with Hayden and the others. They're Niall's friends."

Hannah was silent for a moment.

"Benson, Hattie, don't worry. I'll contact them and ask them to come and help you."

Hannah hung up the call and urgently contacted Carl Ridge.

Carl was the head of the Ridge family. He was also Benson and Hattie's biological father.

After hearing about the situation, Carl wasted no time. He immediately called Anton.

Given the life-threatening circumstances and the families' past ties, Anton quickly contacted Niall.

After a series of calls, Niall's phone finally connected.

"Hello, Dad?"

Upon hearing Anton's words, Niall got up from his seat.

"Got it, I'll handle it."

He hung up and instructed his crew to take the White Sunset to the neighbouring island to pick up Hattie and Benson. Once everything was set in motion, Niall walked into the esports room, knocked on the door, and then pushed it open. "Guys, get ready. We're expecting two guests."

"Who?"

"Your younger brother and sister, Liam."

Liam was taken aback. "What?"

Niall explained what happened just now.

"Their father called my father directly. We have to help them."

Violeta asked, "Have they been picked up yet?"

Niall nodded. "Yes, the White Sunset is on its way. It should only take about half an hour for the round trip."

Zoren talked to himself, "So our earlier predictions turned out to be true. Their island is sinking."

Jasper let out a short laugh. "Imagine that, coming for a vacation and the island starts sinking. This could be an intriguing addition to their personal experience. After all these years without any issues, they stay for a month and everything falls apart. Talk about bad luck."