The place was bustling with activity, everyone’s attention focused on Elisa, completely oblivious to a helicopter landing outside.
Inside the helicopter, a tablet displayed the live scene of the international film festival. The image shook as Elisa was jostled, her slender frame engulfed by the crowd, as if about to be swallowed whole.
Her skin, already pale, now appeared sickly due to lack of rest and extreme fatigue, her face turning a bluish hue. Constantly under the flash of cameras, she felt almost translucent. Lowering her head, she could even see the veins throbbing at her neck.
In just a month, Elisa had become so thin, as if she might be crushed and vanish in the surging crowd.
Sharp questions from the live broadcast reached Elisa.
“Elisa, did you kill Louis?”
Louis, holding a megaphone, exclaimed, “Who spread the rumor that I’m dead?”
The voice came from a distance, suddenly appearing, leaving everyone stunned.
Everyone instinctively turned to the entrance, where they saw Louis, said to be on the brink of death, standing there with his back to the light, walking slowly towards them.
He walked slowly, and upon closer observation, one could see his trembling legs. Flanking him were bodyguards, eight in total, all imposing figures. Except for Louis, everyone from the White family had arrived, with Mrs. White subtly supporting him.
Everyone knew how weak Louis was when he had just woken up after being shot. Allowing him to come here was all for Elisa’s sake.
That year, when Louis woke up after being shot, the first thing he wanted to do was find his little weeping bundle, but he was forcibly hypnotized by his family and forgot about it. This time, the same thing happened, but Mrs. and Mr. White did not stop him.
Louis walked slowly, yet his presence was undiminished. Every step seemed to tread on the hearts of the people. Wherever Elisa was, he could always find her at a glance. Everywhere his gaze fell, it was only her solitary figure. It was the rarest kind of true affection in the world. He had crossed mountains and hills to arrive at what she had been hoping for.
“Oh my, isn’t that the actor Louis? Wasn’t he said to be dying in the hospital?”
“Who said Louis was dying? Who said Elisa killed Louis?”
He came alone, dispelling all the rumors and protecting Elisa under his arm.
Louis had truly kept his promise. He said he would always be behind her, and as long as she turned around, she would see him. He also said that if she were afraid, he would help her through it.
The wind blew in, carrying a warmth that made her realize tears were streaming down her face.
When Micah told her about the high risk of Louis’s surgery, she didn’t cry. When Brittany said Louis might not make it through the operation, she didn’t cry. When she stood on stage and announced her withdrawal from the entertainment industry, thinking about Louis barely holding on in the operating room, she didn’t cry. Despite all the people asking if she had caused Louis’s death, she didn’t cry. But now, the noise was overwhelming, “intruding” into her eyes, and she couldn’t help but cry, making Louis’s figure blur as he approached her.
Elisa pushed away the people in front of her and ran towards Louis, her black dress swaying as she moved.
As long as you run to me, I will open my arms and hold you. Louis reached out and steadily embraced Elisa.
“Are you scared?”
Elisa buried her head in his arms and nodded, trembling as she uttered a single word, “Yes.”
This was the first time Louis had heard Elisa say that word. It pained him deeply, as if his heart had been pricked all over with needles. The chaotic world suddenly felt quiet.
Louis held her close. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll take you home, to our home.”
Despite the good weather, it was only 15-16 degrees Celsius. Louis took off his coat and draped it over Elisa, holding her hand tightly and refusing to let go for even a moment.
When the reporters realized what was happening, some bold ones wanted to ask a few questions, but Louis’s gaze was too penetrating, leaving them unable to utter a single word.
“Regarding the slander against my fiancée and me, just wait for the court summons.”
The unexpected yet expected result left them all stunned. Louis’s gaze was sharp; he was not an easy person to get along with. Just as Hamish had said, the White family was not simple. How could Louis have remained so successful inthe entertainment industry without any means? However, he had given all his tenderness and kindness to Elisa alone, as if it were an innate habit.
When everyone finally reacted, Louis had already taken Elisa and left.
The people in the room, dazed, had just experienced these short fifteen minutes, when a voice spoke up.
“Did Louis just say Elisa is his fiancée?”
“The person who was standing next to Louis just now, if I’m not mistaken, should be the chairman of the Mingdu White Group and his wife, right? Louis is their son? He is the heir to the White family?”
Not working hard and just returning home to inherit a multi-billion-dollar fortune was indeed a real possibility for them. It turned out that there are people who would leave behind a multi-billion-dollar inheritance to work in the entertainment industry.
In this way, the long-hidden background of Louis was exposed in that moment.
As they reached the helicopter, Louis’s entire body went limp again. He had persevered with gritted teeth all the way, but now he truly had no strength left. His legs were as weak as noodles, and the cold sweat on his forehead had smeared the makeup he had used to conceal his illness.
As Louis slumped, Elisa, who had been supporting him, agilely wrapped her arms around his waist.
The man who had just been supporting her had now collapsed into her arms like a spineless snake.
“Louis.” Elisa’s hands trembled as she tried to embrace him tightly, but she was too weak to even summon the strength to do so. She could only hold on to him and cry.
There were doctors on the plane, and as soon as they saw Louis panting, they immediately came over and gave him an injection in his right arm.
After the injection took effect for about ten minutes, Louis finally had the strength to open his quivering eyelashes. In his dark, hazy eyes, Elisa’s figure had become blurred.
He reached out and grabbed Elisa’s hand, then followed her arm up to her neck and jaw, feeling the wetness there. “Why are you crying again?”
Louis spoke hoarsely, taking deep breaths, trying to slow down his voice, so as not to let his trembling breath frighten Elisa.
“Do you remember last New Year’s… the wish we made together… I promised… I promised you that from now on… I would be with you every year, so please don’t cry… I’m afraid I won’t have the strength to wipe away your tears…” Louis’s voice choked as he finished speaking.
Elisa grabbed his ice-cold hand, rubbing her face against his palm. “Yes, you promised me… you can’t break your promise. Louis, you owe me a wedding, a wedding dress, and a ring, so… please don’t leave me, okay?”
Louis struggled to keep his eyes open, imprinting Elisa’s image deep in his soul. After a while, he nodded.