“I want cakel”
Her beloved son was right there at the Summit Grand Hotel–of course she wouldn’t miss his birthday party.
“Daddy’s on his way.” Eddy ended the call.
The car sped through the city streets, racing toward downtown.
“You go straight to the hotel. If you see my wife, report to me immediately.” Eddy split off from a few of the bodyguards.
They had searched for so long and still found nothing. A helpless dread pressed heavy on his chest.
He didn’t dare imagine the worst, but the thought was impossible to ignore.
Tonight, his wife would definitely show up in the banquet hall for their son’s birthday.
If she wasn’t there–then something must have happened.
There was only one place she could be: the government building.
The Rolls Royce came to a stop in front of the imposing building, a place only accessible to officials, much less to someone planning to search every floor from top to bottom.
And tonight, the place was crawling with dignitaries from all over the world.
Eddy gave a subtle signal. One of his bodyguards slipped off to trigger the fire alarm.
The building’s sirens blared to life, piercing the night.
Eddy’s people guarded both entrances, checking every frantic person rushing out, searching for a familiar face.
Upstairs, in the middle of a meeting, Ablett issued crisp orders. “Put all documents. in the safe. Everyone, head downstairs in an orderly fashion.”
His aides obeyed without hesitation.
Ablett grabbed his coat from the sofa and stepped into the adjoining lounge.
The blaring alarm jolted Blanche awake. She blinked, still groggy. “Is there a fire?”
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No. Your husband’s come looking for you.”
Ablett’s tone was calm. At his words, Blanche’s whole body tensed, her eyes widening in alarm. As he draped the coat over her shoulders, his hand pressed gently, steadying her. “Just stay here. If you don’t go out, he’ll give up soon enough He paused, studying her. “But he’s much more persistent–and powerful–than 1 expected. He’s done a good job protecting you all these years.”
“Is there really no way you can forgive him?”
His voice was less that of a leader, more like an older brother.
Blanche looked up at Ablett, understanding his concern.
He was afraid: afraid that if she left with him, she’d regret it; afraid that if she gave up halfway, the consequences would be unimaginable.
She’d run away once before, when she was younger and more uncertain. She could understand why Ablett was worried.
The fact that he’d come for her himself spoke volumes about his loyalty.
“Director–General, don’t worry. I won’t let you down again,” Blanche said with conviction.
Ablett withdrew his hand from her shoulder, giving a soft nod.
Downstairs, foreign dignitaries filed out quickly, leaving the grand foyer eerily
empty.
“Sir, we haven’t found Mrs. Collins!” came the report from the back entrance. The front was a dead end too.
Eddy stood by the Rolls, cigarette burning between his fingers, his figure slumped in defeat, half–lost in the shadowy night.
“Sir, Eastborough District is still under lockdown. I’ve sent teams to search every house–no stone unturned. The reward’s been raised to five million. We’ll have news soon!”
The head bodyguard tried to reassure him. “Mrs. Collins seemed in great spirits when she left today, dressed sharp–white shirt, jeans, ponytail… She looked happy, not angry at all. Maybe she’s already back at the party.”
“My wife was wearing a white shirt, jeans, and a ponytail?” Eddy lifted his tired, storm–dark eyes.
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The bodyguard nodded.
In an instant, a storm raged in Eddy’s gaze.
He stripped off his suit jacket, rolled his shirt sleeves up to the elbows, and strode toward the building.
The jeans. The ringtone. The hair tie for a ponytail…
She was inside.
“Search the building!”
“Keep it quiet. Start from the bottom and check every floor–don’t miss a single
corner.
