Grace knelt at the gate and reached through it as she waved at my daughter. “Ava, come here! Ava…”Even my deepest grudges vanished at that moment. After all, Grace was an elderly woman who had a troubled life. Now, she had to face such a thing in her old age. Still, someone had to be responsible for causing this tragedy.I felt a tear in my eye as I turned away and gulped. I noticed Ava retreating while Grace cried, “Ava, please come here. Don’t you want to see your grandma?”She appeared frantic, looking around as if seeking help to get inside. I could no longer bear it and approached the gate. Ava saw me and called out, “Mommy!”She let go of my mom’s hand but didn’t run toward me. Perhaps she was scared, or Grace’s changed appearance made Ava think she was a stranger.When I reached Grace, I reassured her, “Don’t worry. I’ll talk to her first, okay?”Grace looked at me tearfully as I spoke.Meanwhile, my mom softly spoke to Ava, presumably encouraging her to come over. I kne
I looked toward the departing Grace and felt a sense of oppression. We were once a close-knit family who shared everything, but it had come to this. I realized how unpredictable life could be.I recalled Grace angrily defending Melanie at the baby’s full moon party. Looking at Grace now, I understood her life must be far from ideal, given how worn and aged she looked. After getting in the car, I drove to the office feeling gloomy.I dealt with some urgent matters and told Ryan I needed to go to Solaris. After some thought, he said, “Can you postpone it for a day? We can go together tomorrow.”“You want to come?”Ryan smiled at me, saying, “I mentioned wanting to visit a few friends there last time. I can’t leave yet since we have clients from Canta coming to discuss business.”I thought about it and realized postponing the trip wouldn’t make much difference. After all, I felt unsettled after what happened in the morning. I considered Ava, knowing she wouldn’t be happy today, eithe
Bourdamun was a neighboring city to Muborough. However, the former’s economy couldn’t match Muborough. Although close, Bourdamun lacked a coastline, which slowed its development.Matthew hadn’t taken projects in Bourdamun in recent years because of its sluggish development. I hadn't even considered anything in Bourdamun. A client from there visited today, and I was curious to learn about it.Jeremiah smiled sincerely, but his words were doubtful. He said, “Yes, we’re in the development business. I heard Tanum Corporation’s interior design and construction are leading in Foswood. I’ve always wanted to work with you, but the timing was never right.I smiled calmly and responded, “That’s an overstatement, Mr. Jeremiah. Tanum Corporation is just an ordinary company. It’s been a rough year, so I wouldn’t dare claim it’s leading in anything.“We do our best to uphold honesty and quality to satisfy our clients. Do you have any ongoing construction projects?” I didn’t want to stall. Instea
The day was busy from start to end. Just as I thought the work was winding down, Benjamin said the warehouse inventory was done, and we needed a quick meeting.I hurried to the small conference room. I needed to get back soon and surprise my daughter. The morning scene hadn't faded from my mind. I was sure my daughter felt the same. Let them look, I stubbornly decided. I wanted to see how they felt.After all, Ava was a child of the Murphy family.But to my surprise, the meeting ended abruptly. Before it was over, I received a frantic call from my mother, sobbing and wailing. She said Ava was missing.This was a nightmare come true. I didn't even bother to wrap up the meeting and rushed out. How could an obedient child like her just vanish?I descended the stairs, and Carol followed. She took the car keys from my hand, hopped in, and we sped out of the underground parking lot.We made it back to Amethyst Apartments. From a distance, I saw my mother on her knees, gasping between
My mind went blank. I dialed Atlas's number almost frantically as I clenched the phone. I could feel my whole body trembling uncontrollably.He answered quickly, but before he could say a word, I shouted, "Atlas, were you at Amethyst Apartments when you got off work?!"All I could see was Ava standing at the door, looking lost and disappointed as the car pulled in."I haven't been there," His voice came through, sure and steady. "What's wrong? What happened?""That was your car, and it took Ava away! Bring her back to me!" I screamed, my voice breaking upon hearing his denial.I dropped the phone, the impact with the floor almost drowned out by my sobs.Ava must have recognized someone in that car, prompting her to run out and chase after it without a second thought. Only Atlas could make her brave enough to chase after a car alone.As this realization hit me, my heart ached even more. "Ava..."Carol and the others finally returned from checking the area. Their expressions were
We got into the car together, and it sped off. Though I felt a sense of safety, my heart was still racing. Ava had never been separated from someone she knew. Now, she was being taken somewhere unknown. She must be frightened.I felt my heart crush as I trembled uncontrollably. My precious girl! Would she be scared? Would anything happen to her?I prayed silently. My darling, be strong. Mommy will find you, and Uncle Atlas won't let anything happen to you.Atlas's arm wrapped me, holding me close and gently patting my arm. The car raced to the motor vehicle department. We all exited quickly.There were already people waiting there. No one said more than necessary. Dylan communicated with them, checking every car that left Amethyst Apartments during that period.On the large screen in the hall, cars kept flashing by. I was so nervous that it felt like I couldn't breathe. I had no idea which one my daughter was in in this sea of cars.Suddenly, Dylan shouted, "Stop!"We all turn
As the image of that car appeared, everyone in the hall gasped.The license plate appeared to be quickly replaced after the car trunk popped open, with the trunk jumping up and down. The car kept moving slowly, never stopping. This subtle change was hard to notice.Atlas caught onto this clue.A police officer beside Dylan immediately instructed his subordinate, "Zoom in on that license plate and find the owner!" Soon, the information came back. The plate was fake and was registered to a large truck. I stared at the big screen in despair, afraid the car would disappear again.Presumably, they had used this clever trick to swap out the front plate earlier. So, this car seemed to vanish into thin air right before everyone's eyes.We could conclude that our previous speculation about child abduction for ransom was unfounded. This was a premeditated kidnapping.I was stunned by this scene, my mind racing, wondering who could do such a thing. What were their intentions? Why take my
Atlas clasped my hand in his, but neither of us spoke. He simply cradled me in his arms. He looked at me, then gently rested his chin on my forehead. "I promise Ava will be safe."I reached out and hugged him tightly, burying my face in his neck. "Atlas, save her... She's so young and always so well-behaved. She must’ve seen something. Otherwise, she wouldn't have dared to chase after that car.""Don't cry! I understand." Atlas patted my head."That car... Something in it must have attracted her. I thought it was you. She must’ve seen you, that's why she chased after it... This morning, she asked me when you’d return from your business trip. She wanted to travel with you..." I choked on my sobs.I broke down in Atlas's arms, completely losing control."She must’ve felt so lonely. When my mom wanted to see her this morning, she refused and asked if her grandmother would bully me. She's so young, yet she already knows how to protect me. But I couldn't protect her. It's all my faul