Ch. 489: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life Chapter 489

Chapter 489

"Reporter White."

A voice pulled Norah back to reality.

She turned and saw a soldier in uniform standing at the door.

"Comrade, are you looking for me?" she asked.

"Yes. The Yi tribe sent a large shipment of supplies, and they need your signature."

"Oh, got it."

For the past five years, no matter where she was, the Yi tribe had consistently sent large amounts of supplies. Others handled the deliveries, and Baimo and Pharaoh never appeared again. Yet, every month, a substantial sum of money was deposited into her account.

The supplies benefited the struggling locals and improved conditions for the soldiers, leaving Norah no reason to refuse them. Besides, she never saw Baimo or Pharaoh anyway.

She gently patted Cooper’s head. "Auntie has to step out. Don't run off."

Cooper nodded.

Seeing his continued silence, Norah felt a heavy weight on her heart. If no one was at the embassy, she would have to contact Jace and ask him to check in.

Children who avoid speaking often exhibit signs of autism. This needed medical attention—diagnosis, treatment, and early intervention.

She followed the soldier to the drop-off site, where she took the inventory list and prepared to sign.

"Norah."

A soft, familiar voice made her look up.

Baimo stood a short distance away, dressed in a white shirt, smiling.

She hadn't seen him in five years, yet he looked just as he had before—calm, refined, and composed.

Baimo now held complete control over the Yi people. The tribe had unified and begun fostering diplomatic relations with Craggaville. The region was finally stable and at peace.

Norah knew all of this. Still, she had never reached out to Baimo, never inquired about his well-being.

Now, with him standing before her, personally delivering supplies, she understood—he was here for a reason.

"What do you need from me?" she asked, cutting straight to the point before he could speak.

She signed her name and handed the slip to the soldier beside her. "Go ahead and verify everything. This is my friend. If you need me, just call."

"Understood, Reporter White."

As the soldier left, Norah approached Baimo.

A flicker of sorrow crossed his eyes. "You look thinner and darker than before."

Norah smiled. "Traveling constantly does that to you."

"Haven't you had enough of this life?"

There were two reasons Norah had been able to become a war correspondent. First, Pharaoh and Kevin had supported her, ensuring her safety. Second, while her press credentials protected her to some extent, Pharaoh had also assigned people to watch over her in secret.

For years, Baimo had arranged for supplies to be sent but had never appeared himself. He had hoped that, eventually, Norah would reach out to him. But she never did.

This time, he wanted to gauge her reaction. Yet, she remained calm, unaffected.

Norah lowered her voice. "I love this job. If possible, I’d do it for the rest of my life."

War correspondents were rare. The risks were high. But for her, it was a way to grow, to help others—just as Kevin once had. At first, she had pursued this path to be closer to him.

"You’ve been in this field long enough to know—Calvin is alive. He was ambitious, manipulated into playing a key role. I need your help."

Baimo took a deep breath, steadying his emotions.

Norah was quiet for a few moments. "With what?"

If Baimo had come all this way, she knew it was something she could help with—otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked.

"Bianca stole your identity back then. Calvin nearly took over the Yi tribe. If you return with me, Calvin will come looking for me." Baimo spoke slowly, watching Norah carefully.

She remained composed, her expression unreadable. Just as Baimo thought she might refuse, she answered softly, "Okay. I’ll go with you."

Back then, when she and Kevin were in the Yi tribe, Bianca had captured her. But Baimo had protected her in secret.

Now, if he needed her help, she had no reason to refuse.

"We leave today," Baimo said urgently.

"Can you wait a few days?"

In the past, Norah would have agreed without hesitation. But now, Cooper was with her. She couldn’t just leave him behind.

Baimo studied her, sensing something was weighing on her. After a brief pause, he asked, "Why the delay?"

Norah should have had no reason to hesitate.

"There’s a child I’m looking after. The embassy asked me to care for him for three days."

She didn’t hide the truth from him. Baimo immediately understood.

In these past five years, Norah hadn’t just been a war correspondent. She had also helped countless children and the elderly. Locals even called her the "Female Bodhisattva."

Baimo nodded. "Alright. I’ll come back in three days."

"Okay."

During those three days, she focused on her reporting while keeping Cooper close. He never cried, never acted up, never spoke. If she hadn’t heard his voice before, she might have thought he was mute.

He was obedient—helping her pour water, water the plants, and dry towels.

But when she took him to the embassy, he resisted. The embassy later called her. "Ms. White, we couldn’t find any records on him. The only option now is to place him in a local welfare home or send him back to one in our country."

Sending such a young child to a welfare home…

After spending just three days with Cooper, Norah already felt a pang of reluctance. His eyes, red-rimmed like a rabbit’s, made her heart ache.

Still, all goodbyes are inevitable.

She knelt beside him, holding his hand gently. "Cooper, Auntie has to go. The embassy couldn’t find your family, so you’ll have to stay at the welfare home for now. But we’ll see each other again."

Cooper said nothing but clung to her hand, his eyes filled with silent hope.

Norah hesitated, about to say more, when suddenly, Cooper’s face went pale. His breathing turned labored.

Her heart pounded. "Cooper? Cooper, what's wrong?!"

She scooped him up. His lips had turned blue, his eyes unfocused.

Panicked, she had no choice.

She rushed him to the military doctor.