Everyone crowded around Elena at once.
Jin Di cradled her tightly in his arms, calling her name again and again as if sheer will could pull her back. Her eyes were closed, yet her brows were faintly furrowed. Soft, broken whimpers escaped her lips, proof that she was still conscious. And yet, no matter how they called to her, she didn't respond.
"Third Brother, calm down," Wang Yingjie said firmly. "Lay her on the couch."
Jin Di obeyed without hesitation.
"All of you, don't crowd so close. Give her space. Let her breathe."
Wang Yingjie took control immediately, his calm authority cutting through the chaos. Everyone backed away a little, though their eyes never left Elena.
Her lips began to move.
At first, they thought she was just mumbling incoherently, her consciousness slipping in and out. No one understood the words except for Lu Zihao, who stood nearby, frozen in place.
She was speaking Russian.
Lu Zihao's eyes darkened the instant he caught her words.
