Rebirth Of The Forgotten Heiress - Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Zachary strode forward with determination, as if trying to prove something, his paper-pale face set in stubborn defiance, teeth clenched tight.
When Quinlyn glanced back, she caught Zachary with his eyes red from the effort. She thought, 'Honestly, he looks kind of pitiful like this. No wonder everyone enjoys teasing him.'
Just then, Yasin coughed weakly and stumbled.
Quinlyn quickly steadied Yale and asked urgently, "What's wrong?"
Yasin quickly steadied himself, fixing his gaze straight ahead as if he hadn't heard a word Quinlyn said.
Quinlyn thought, 'Is he throwing a tantrum now?' She couldn't figure out why Yasin was sulking, but since his fever had reduced him to the mindset of a toddler, she decided to humor him.
"No crab for you right now, but you can have some fish. How about I make you some tonight?" she coaxed.
Seeing that Quinlyn trailing after him, Yasin mumbled an indistinct "Okay."
Quinlyn thought, 'He is just like a kid. His mood clears up as fast as it clouds over.'
With Zachary moving up in the lineup, Xavier, now third from last, ended up standing beside Yalena.
Yalena was his first love. Seeing her like this, Xavier forgot about everything else and instantly turned into a loyal puppy, standing guard over Yalena.
With so many people around, Xavier couldn't say much. He firmly positioned himself in front of Yalena, quietly clearing away overhanging branches in her path.
Whenever they came to a muddy patch, he'd softly warn her, silently playing the role of her devoted guardian all the way.
Quinlyn didn't need gossip; the Narrator in her head had already filled her in on the drama unfolding behind her.
The plot that had already unfolded seemed to require no alteration. However, Quinlyn realized that this storyline appeared to have truly changed.
As she progressed in altering her destiny, the crucial emotional turning points between Zachary and Yalena were gone. She thought, 'At this rate, can they even end up together?'
The Narrator didn't reply.
Quinlyn thought, 'Fine. Play dead if you want.'
The group arrived at the seaside, where the last golden rays of sunset still lingered.
At the horizon, the sea and sun melted into one, as orange-tinted waves rolled in layer upon layer, bringing with them the crisp, fresh air after days of rain.
The whole group was practically bursting with excitement.
These pampered young heirs had all been to the beach countless times. They had practically been to the seaside, done that. But now, things were different.
After being stuck on the island and suffering through days of hell, with freedom finally in sight, of course, they were thrilled.
One said, "I was wondering why my dad sent me here and even promised to buy me my favorite sports car when I got back. So this was his game all along."
A girl chimed in, "Same old trick. My mom promised to get me that limited-edition jewelry I've been eyeing."
With everyone in high spirits, the group started chatting freely. Some had come here with their own goals, while others had been tricked by their elders.
Now that they were about to leave the island and had finally seen the beautiful seaside again, everyone was in an especially good mood.
The conversation grew lively as they even discussed getting together after this, perhaps hosting a big feast, something as extravagant as an imperial dinner.
They thought, 'Who would believe that we nearly came to blows over scraps of food? What a shameful episode! We have to throw the most extravagant feast to erase this embarrassing chapter from memory.'
As the natural leader, Yasin assigned tasks to the group. Even though they were leaving soon, they still needed to get through tonight and tomorrow.
The ten were split into two groups: one team of guys and one team of girls. The guys could go farther out, maybe even swim if they wanted.
The girls were advised to stick to the shoreline and check for anything interesting that had washed up.
Everyone readily agreed. But seeing Zachary barely able to stand, someone kindly suggested he stay behind and rest.
Yasin cast a glance at Zachary and said flatly, "Whatever works." With that, he turned and strode off without another word.
Zachary was sitting on a rock by the shore. The moment he caught that indifferent look from Yasin, he suddenly sprang to his feet and declared, "I can do it."
There was a stubborn edge to his voice, as if he were forcing the words out through clenched teeth.
Zachary was terrible at controlling his expressions, even the group could easily tell something was off with him, without needing any sharp observation.
Kevin walked over and patted Zachary on the shoulder. He said, "Zachary, you're still injured. If your condition gets any worse later, we really won't be able to keep covering for you."
When the group covered for Zachary this time, everyone was hesitant. After all, when it came to the health of the heir of the Fletcher family, none of them dared to take responsibility.
Zachary wasn't unaware of his condition, but his mind kept circling back to that one taunting question: "Are you even up for this?" He insisted to himself, 'I will prove myself.'
He took several forceful steps forward before dizziness overtook him, sending him stumbling. Just then, a steady hand reached out to catch him. He looked up and found it was Yasin.
Yasin's expression remained utterly calm as he helped Zachary up. He said, "The sunset's quite nice today. Why don't you sit here and enjoy it?"
Seeing Zachary about to protest, Yasin leaned in slightly and said, "I know what you're trying to prove. But are you really in any condition to?"
Zachary's fists clenched, yet he said nothing. He knew he couldn't even stand, let alone walk.
A few minutes later, everyone got their assignments. Only Zachary and Yalena remained at the spot. After all, Yalena wasn't in the best shape either.
Zachary and Yalena sat side by side on a large boulder, surrounded by the rhythmic crash of waves and the cries of seagulls, gazing at the dazzling horizon where the sea and sky merged in the distance.
Zachary's tousled hair fluttered in the breeze, his light-colored shirt lending him an air of pristine detachment.
Yalena looked a bit listless, lost in her thoughts, yet her porcelain skin and innocent features still made her a delightful sight.
From afar or up close, the scene was pure romance.
Watching them, Quinlyn thought, 'Those two leads, just put them alone together and it instantly turns into a rom-com scene.'
Then, she suddenly laughed. She realized that no matter what those two leads did, she didn't feel the slightest bit affected. She was in it purely for the spectacle—and the occasional revenge.
Suddenly, Xavier shouted, "Someone's drowning!"
The distance wasn't far, and at the alarm, everyone rushed over, with Quinlyn sprinting ahead of the pack.
Quinlyn thought, 'Did Yasin the robot finally run out of juice and just drop to the ground?' But when she rushed over and saw who was drowning, her expression turned complicated.
On the beach lay Yarden—soaked through, deathly pale, coughing up seawater.