Black Rose in the Abyss Chapter 16

The weather in New York changed on a dime. One moment it was clear skies, the next the radio was broadcasting a hurricane warning.

Bianca was signing a document when she received a tearful call from Maria at the safe house.

"Child, someone brought big machines to bulldoze our houses! They said they want to build some resort. Johnny and the others tried to stop them and almost got beaten. Now the wind is so strong, and the waves are crashing into the houses..."

Bianca's heart tightened. She immediately dropped her pen.

That secluded little fishing village had given her two years of peace away from New York's strife.

It was the harbor where her broken soul had found temporary rest.

"Roxy!" She walked out while grabbing her car keys, giving quick orders. "Take some people to contact the developer who wants to move the village immediately. Find out their background. Negotiate and stall for time as much as possible."

"Bianca, where are you going?"

"I'm going to the island first. I can't let anything happen to the villagers."

"But the hurricane is coming!" Roxy tried to stop her anxiously.

"Because the hurricane is coming, I must go." Bianca's tone brooked no argument. Her figure disappeared into the elevator.

Bianca rushed to the pier at top speed and caught the last ferry before the suspension of services.

On the island, the wind was already howling, and rain poured down. The simple houses swayed in the storm.

Several large excavators and a group of men in raincoats were facing off against the villagers. Conflict was imminent.

"Stop!" Bianca rushed into the crowd, shielding the trembling Maria and the villagers. The rain soaked her instantly.

Her sharp gaze swept over the group. "Don't you understand that forced demolition is illegal? Especially in this weather!"

The lead man spat. "Mind your own business! Our boss bought this land!"

"Buying and selling must follow the rules! With incomplete paperwork, who gave you the power to act?" Bianca didn't yield an inch. While stabilizing the other party, she organized the villagers to reinforce the houses and move the elderly and children.

The eye of the hurricane was approaching. The wind grew stronger. The waves crashed against the embankment as if trying to swallow the entire village.

When Dante heard the news at the company that Bianca had gone to the island alone, his heart nearly stopped.

He had heard how crude the island's defenses were.

"Nero, where are you going?" his subordinate asked urgently, seeing his face change instantly.

"To find the Boss!" Dante didn't look back, his voice scattered by the wind.

Risking being overturned by the wind and waves, he forced his way onto the island.

The island was already in chaos. Water and power were cut, communications down.

Dante struggled through the storm. Rain blurred his vision under the mask. He had only one thought—find her! She had to be okay!

When he stumbled upon the church where the villagers had temporarily gathered, guided by a faint light and voices, he saw this scene—

Bianca was soaked through. Her messy long hair stuck to her cheeks, her pant legs covered in mud. She was standing on an old table, calmly directing the young men to reinforce the doors and windows with sandbags, comforting the terrified elderly and children.

Though she looked bedraggled, her straight spine and calm eyes were like a guiding light in the dark.

Dante's suspended heart slammed back into place. A wave of immense relief washed over him.

Bianca also saw the uninvited guest at the door. He was dripping wet, the silver mask jarring in the flickering candlelight.

She paused, frowning slightly. "Why are you here?"

Dante suppressed the surging emotions and spoke hoarsely. "Hurricane weather. I was worried about the Boss."

He stepped forward and naturally took the heavy sandbag from her hands. "Let me."

For the next few days, the hurricane trapped everyone, but it also gave them a chance to breathe.

The developer's men and machines retreated temporarily in the storm.

Dante felt like he was back in the days when he fought side by side with Bianca years ago.

Relying on his exceptional stamina and organizational skills, he led the villagers to repair damaged roofs.

He distributed the meager food and water.

When villagers fell ill, he risked going out to gather herbs.

Bianca watched his silent but efficient back, watched his gentleness when communicating with the villagers.

During a break, Maria pulled Bianca aside. Watching Dante, who was helping secure the fishing boat ropes nearby, she whispered, "Child, that young man in the mask is a good person. He works hard and is thoughtful."

She paused, as if remembering something. "The two years you first washed ashore, your soul seemed gone. You stared at the sea all day, not speaking or smiling. Now, it's better. You finally have some life in you again."

Dante's movements paused slightly. The sea breeze carried Maria's rambling words clearly to his ears.

"Back then, seeing you like that broke my heart. When I asked if there was someone in New York who broke your heart, you just nodded, and tears fell..."

Bianca remained silent, not stopping Maria's narration. Her gaze fell on the restless sea in the distance.

Dante stood with his back to them. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the cable.

The salty sea breeze blew into his eyes, bringing a wave of unbearable stinging.

It turned out the wound he inflicted on her was far deeper and lasted far longer than he knew.