Chapter 6

"What happened?" Ben hurried home after receiving a message from Andrew.

"Miss Caroline isn't in her room, sir. We've searched everywhere, but she's nowhere to be found," Andrew reported.

Ben tried to remain calm, but his heart was racing with worry for Caroline. He instructed Andrew to check the CCTV footage, but Andrew had already reviewed it before Ben's arrival.

"Miss Caroline left on her own and didn’t take anything with her. I've been checking the footage since earlier," Andrew explained.

Ben thought for a moment before mobilizing all his subordinate to search for Caroline. His command was clear, and they promptly got into their vehicles to begin the search.

"No one is allowed to return to this house until Caroline is found!" he ordered.

***

For some reason, Ben decided to look for Caroline near Johan's house. He had secretly gathered information about Johan and his whereabouts. Parking his car a bit farther away to avoid being noticed, he observed the area.

What he saw shocked him. Caroline was being thrown out of Johan’s house. A woman, whom Ben recognized as Victoria, was shoving her away.

"What on earth is Caroline doing here?" Ben fumed as he dialed Andrew to meet him near Johan's house.

While waiting for Andrew's arrival, Ben continued to watch Caroline kneel before Victoria, crying as if begging to stay. His grip on the steering wheel tightened in frustration and anger. His concern for Caroline’s well-being overwhelmed him.

"Stupid! How can she kneel like that in front of that woman?" Ben muttered under his breath.

Not long after, Andrew arrived and immediately approached Ben’s car.

"Sir, what are your instructions?" Andrew asked.

"You’re going to fetch Caroline and bring her back. Make sure that woman doesn’t find out about my involvement. Understood?"

"Understood, sir." Andrew quickly ran toward the scene.

Victoria shot Andrew a piercing glare as he approached, while Caroline looked shocked to see him.

"Andrew, why are you here?" Caroline asked, still kneeling before Victoria.

"Let’s go home. You don’t belong here anymore," Andrew said firmly.

His words left Caroline silent. Andrew extended a hand to help her stand, which she took hesitantly. She wiped her tears and glanced at Victoria.

"You're crazy fucking bitch! You’re still married to Johan, yet you’ve already found another man. And what did he just say? 'You don’t belong here anymore'?" Victoria sneered, mocking Andrew's words.

Andrew ignored Victoria’s insults, focused solely on getting Caroline home safely as per Ben’s orders. He guided Caroline back toward the car, despite Victoria’s incessant shouting and insults.

"Don’t be sad anymore. Wipe your tears—Mr. Charles doesn’t like seeing you cry like this," Andrew whispered softly to Caroline.

"Is he here?" she asked in surprise.

"Yes, Mr. Charles is in the car."

Caroline stopped in her tracks momentarily, catching sight of Johan, who had just arrived. Andrew stood protectively beside her as Johan’s gaze scanned him from head to toe.

"So, you’ve found someone else already? A replacement for me?" Johan sneered, laughing dismissively at Caroline.

"That’s none of your business!" Caroline snapped, glaring at him.

"True, it’s no longer my business. But since you came here begging to stay, that makes it mine again," Johan said smugly, grabbing Caroline’s chin roughly.

Andrew immediately swatted Johan’s hand away, stepping between them. Caroline stood frozen, watching the two men confront each other. When Andrew tried to lead her away again, Johan moved to block them.

"Why the rush to leave? Didn’t you come here hoping to stay? Why don’t you tell him the truth?" Johan grinned wickedly at Caroline.

Andrew’s patience wore thin. He knew Ben was waiting in the car and couldn’t let Johan’s provocations delay them any longer.

"Didn’t you wait for me, sweetheart?" Johan teased, pinching Caroline’s chin.

From a distance, Ben clenched his fists in anger. Though Caroline and Johan were still legally married, Ben felt a pang of jealousy seeing them so close. He wanted nothing more than to intervene.

"Andrew, maybe you should just go home," Caroline said softly, her tone urging him to leave.

"You’re asking me to leave, but you want to stay here?" Andrew’s concern deepened.

"Yes, I want to stay with Johan. Please go back home, Andrew. Don’t worry about me," Caroline insisted, patting his shoulder lightly.

Meanwhile, Johan smiled slyly. Caroline still wanted to be with Johan and return to the house. Andrew could not let this happen. He was afraid that Caroline would be physically abused by Johan and Victoria in the house.

"Caroline, don’t be foolish! They’ve discarded you, humiliated you, and thrown you out. Have you forgotten their cruelty?" Andrew tried to reason with her.

"Don’t worry. Maybe we can salvage this marriage and avoid divorce," Caroline replied, trying to reassure Andrew.

Andrew couldn’t accept her decision. He feared for her safety, knowing Johan and Victoria’s abusive tendencies. He pleaded with Caroline to return to Ben’s home, where she would be treated like a queen. But Caroline remained stubborn.

"Didn’t you hear her? Leave!" Johan barked, shoving Andrew’s shoulder.

"I won’t leave without Caroline. I won’t let her be mistreated by you or your heartless mother. You’ve only ever treated her like garbage!" Andrew shouted, his anger boiling over.

"And if she’s with you, you think she’ll be safe forever?" Johan mocked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, I’ll make sure of it!" Andrew growled, grabbing Johan by the collar.

Johan retaliated by slapping Andrew hard across the face. Caroline screamed and backed away, terrified by the escalating violence. Victoria emerged from the house, blaming Caroline for the chaos.

Suddenly, Ben called Andrew, instructing him to return home and leave the situation for now. He had plans to exact revenge on Johan for his treatment of Caroline.

"Caroline, I’m heading back. Stay safe here. If anything happens, call me immediately," Andrew said with a reassuring smile.

Johan noticed something suspicious. From a distance, he spotted a car watching his house before driving away alongside Andrew’s vehicle.

'Whose car was that? I’ve never seen it before. Could it have something to do with Caroline?'