Chapter 280 - 280: Why She Didnt Come Back? (1/2)

After Team Alpha Cinco escorted Senator Mondragon and his party safely, leaving the RC Convention Center, they returned to the XXX Crime Investigation Headquarters.

They would investigate thoroughly today's incident. Erick asked the team to list down the name of the possible mastermind who had a motive to hurt Senator Mondragon, including his opponents in politics. His team immediately followed his order.

Meanwhile, Bryan noticed that something was off with Erick since they left RC Convention Center. He looked so troubled. Something was bothering him. So Bryan decided to talk to him.

”If you are tired, you can go home first. You might get sick if you will not take care of your health. For these past few months, you were always working overtime.” Bryan said as he looked at Erick worriedly.

However, Erick remained silent in his seat. He seemed that his mind was wandering somewhere and he was not paying attention to Bryan.

Bryan thought Erick didn't like to talk about this so he changed the topic.

”Did you also notice? The incident was quite suspicious. The sniper didn't use a silencer on his gun as if he was intentionally revealing himself. I thought you already saw someone suspicious that's why you were running towards the exit. Anyway, what are your thoughts about this incident?

After saying that, finally Bryan got his attention as Erick fixed his gaze to him.

”I think… Elle didn't die that day.” Erick said to Bryan with certainty in his voice.

Bryan: ”...”

Bryan was rendered speechless. He didn't expect Erick to say that. He thought he was thinking about this afternoon's shooting incident. But he was mistaken. Erick was definitely thinking about Elle.

'But why is he mentioning that out of the blue?' Bryan pondered to himself.

Seeing the confusion in Bryan's eyes, Erick elaborated his assumption or rather his suspicion.

”Her body was not found during the retrieval operation. There was a chance that she survived that day.” Erick said desperately. There was a gleam of hope in his eyes.

”Bryan… Elle is alive. I could feel it. I always believe that she survived. All these years, I am still hoping that one day we will meet again. I-I never truly accepted that she was… gone.”

Bryan was tongue-tied. He was a little bit surprised that Erick was sharing his true feelings with him right now. It's been a long time since Erick opened up to someone.

Since that unfortunate incident two years ago, Erick had been shutting himself off to the world. He learned to build a wall, hiding his true feelings from others.

Since Bryan remained quiet Erick continued speaking.

”I saw her. Bryan… I saw Elle. She was also there in the convention center.” Erick smiled faintly as he remembered what happened this afternoon.

But his smile disappeared in an instant after seeing Bryan's expression.

”What? You didn't believe me, right?” Erick's expression darkened.

He let out a humorless laugh as he clenched his fists.

”Just forget that I have said these things to you.” Erick sounded upset and disappointed due to Bryan's reaction.

Bryan felt alarmed. He didn't mean to make Erick mad. ”Erick… I didn't say that I don't believe you. But… I doubt if that person is Elle. What if they just look alike?”

”But they have the same voice.” Erick justified.

Bryan paused for a moment, contemplating whether to say what's on his mind or just let it be. He didn't want to hurt Erick. He knew he was still hoping. He didn't have the heart to crush again his remaining hope.

As if Erick sensed that Bryan had something in his mind, he urged him to speak up.

”Talk!” He said to him firmly.

Bryan shook his head.

”I said… talk or I'll never talk to you again regarding these things.”

Erick threatened him so Bryan had no choice but to tell him what's on his mind right now.

”Two years had passed. If Elle was alive… then why she didn't come back?” Bryan looked down after saying that.

Bryan's statement was like a dagger piercing his heart.

'If Elle was alive then why she didn't come back?'

Those words kept replaying on Erick's mind and his heart ached once again. He felt limp on his seat.