Chapter 508
"Lead the way!" Elijah said gruffly.
Elias was concerned for him, however. "But sir, the weather might turn against us any minute, and you're already ..."
"Don't worry about me, I'm fine!"
"Leave this to Elias and me, Mr. Forrest!" Alyssa cried. "I've volunteered as a medic in a warzone before. If this hiker is in any danger, I can come to their aid immediately!"
A look of shock and respect surfaced on Elias' expression.
"Well... alright then." Elijah nodded. He gave Alyssa's hand a firm grab. "We're counting on you, Alice!"
Jasper drove into Crater Mountain Park on his own. He had swapped for a less-showy-looking SUV, so Sean hadn't noticed his arrival outside the park.
He soon parked the car and got out.
"Mr. Forrest? Is that you?" He called, dressed in camo for the hike. He looked just like some special ops team sergeant.
"Mr. Jasper!" Elijah greeted him warmly at the entrance. "The weather is not on our side today. What brings you here out of your busy schedule?"
"It's precisely because I'm only going to be busier that I decided to stop by. I won't be able to for a long time." Jasper sighed. "But you can just call me Jasper, sir. Like you used to."
"That was when you were but an 18-year-old. I can't keep calling you that now that you're the head of your family business. What if you get upset and stop donating to our park?" Elijah said jokingly.
"I would never. I've already allocated a fund in my secretary's name. If something happens to me, he'll continue donating annually to the park on my behalf."
Elijah didn't expect this response. He quickly smacked Jasper's chest,
saying, "Don't talk like that! I was only joking around with you. You're too serious for your own good.
"Ah... What a lucky day it is for me today. Both my favorite youngsters are here visiting me. How blessed I am."
Elijah teared up slightly after saying that. He knew his time would soon be up, so being able to witness a day such as today was a big blessing to him.
"Do you have another visitor?" Jasper asked lightly.
"I do, yes. I wanted to introduce her to you. You two are so alike, joining the patrol and helping hikers and donating to the park every year."
Jasper's curiosity increased upon hearing that. "If they are important to you and share the same passions as I do, I wouldn't mind getting to know them."
"Too bad. Alice has joined the rest of the patrol!"
When "Alice" was mentioned, Jasper was initially puzzled before the realization struck him.
Jasper's heart skipped violently as a surge of electricity swept
through his being, sending him into a peculiar state of numbness and shock.
Seconds later, he held Elijah's arm and asked, "Is her last name White?"
"Oh? Do you know her?" Elijah asked, surprised. "Yes, her family name is White. Alice White is her full name. I've known her for years!