Seeing this, Shawn quickly calmed the kids down and got them settled, then started organizing a broader search.
But by the time the sun was coming up, there was still no sign of Ariana.
Everyone stayed by the wrecked car, including Rodney, who hadnt bothered going back to rest.
They made a temporary camp and stayed up all night.
The mood was grim, and everyone felt weighed down by it. Extra search teams combed through the nearby hills and woods, their flashlights cutting through the dark, but they found nothing. Then, it started to rain, which just made things worse, adding to the heavy feeling that weighed down on everyone.
As the sky began to lighten, someone shouted from nearby.
A breathless person from Holdens team came out of the woods, saying, We found one of Miss Edwards shoes and her bag by the lake down the cliff.
Holden ran like a flash when he heard the news, sprinting to the spot. By the edge of the lake, there was a high heel on a rock, with a white handbag sprawled in the dirt beside it.
Holdens expression turned as white as a ghost when he saw Arianas stuff. He quickly instructed, Get every search and rescue team and all the divers from the Fredrick Group here, right now.
Mitchel also instructed his men, Bring in all our people-the boats, the divers, everything.
Soon enough, both families rescue teams showed up. They took turns diving into the lake, scouring the water over and over, but they still couldnt find Ariana.
As they rotated teams, with the first twenty-four hours ticking by after the accident and the rain washing away any clues, the harsh truth started to hit-if Ariana had fallen into the lake, the odds of finding her alive were slim.
Everyone understood what this meant, yet nobody wanted to accept it.
Holden stayed by the Lake. He appeared calm, keeping a close watch on the rescuers as they
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surfaced, coming up empty-handed each time.
But Devin and Shawn saw through Holdens calm facade. They knew it was just an act. They stood by his side because they could tell Holden was breaking apart inside. They didnt leave his side for a second, afraid he would crumble the minute they did.
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Holden hadnt eaten or drunk a thing. Even when he tried, he would throw it all up. After a full day and night without sleep, he was running on fumes, and it was starting to show.
Devin watched Holden and felt a sinking sense of guilt.
From the moment they had found Arianas stuff by the lake, Holden had been in a bad condition. Time kept ticking, and if Ariana had fallen into the lake, she was probably dead.
Devin couldnt help but wonder if things would have been different if he hadnt been so wrapped up in work.
What if he had gone with Ariana to the banquet of the Chadwick family?
Shawn saw Devins somber expression and sighed. Devin, dont blame yourself. You cant control everything.
Devin let out a heavy breath and just shook his head, remaining silent.
At that moment, the police came over. They approached Holden and said, Weve finished investigating. The car lost control because of a brake failure.
Devin was stunned. How could that be? That car was checked just a few days ago, and the brakes were fine. I even inspected them myself before they drove off. Brakes dont just fail like that!