Chapter 94

Some were tricked into coming; others were dragged in against their will. It was as inevitable as the sun setting. Every day, life and death played out their relentless dance.

As sunlight touched my skin, I felt a strange sensation, as if my body was becoming slightly more translucent. Was this a sign I was disappearing? Could I possibly escape this nightmare? Relief and worry warred within me. As much as I longed for freedom, I couldn't dismiss my family's fate.

Nicole's actions extended far beyond targeting me. After her attack on Grandma, it was clear she was aiming for the entire Kennedy clan. First, she drove a wedge between me and my loved ones; then she abducted me, harming Grandma in the process. Who would be next? My brothers? My parents? What was her ultimate goal?

I abandoned my preoccupation with Chase, focusing entirely on my family's safety. While we were lost in our thoughts, the manager returned hurriedly, flicking away his cigarette and wiping sweat from his brow.

"How'd it go?" Chase asked immediately.

Still catching his breath, the manager replied, "I checked everywhere. She hasn't entered any of the parks."

Disbelief etched itself onto Chase's face. "Are you sure? Could something have slipped through the cracks?"

The manager chuckled dryly. "You're underestimating us. Our network is incredibly tight. Not even an ant goes unnoticed. Besides, with her looks, alive or dead, she'd stand out."

Taking a sip of his tea, he added, "If it weren't for this fancy Rolex, I wouldn't have bothered."

Chase recoiled. He had braced himself for finding me in one of the parks—even injured, but alive. Finding no trace of me meant she was still missing, perhaps gone forever.

That thought darkened Chase's expression.

My father, though shaken, remained more composed than Chase. He licked his dry lips. "Young man, since you're here, could you help us? My daughter has been missing for over twenty days. I know you have connections. If you help us find her, you'll be handsomely rewarded."

The manager frowned. "Twenty days? If she's your daughter, why the delay in searching? No offense, but with her looks, she'll be in serious trouble if she's fallen into the wrong hands. There are dangerous parks here and overseas."

His words struck me like a wake-up call. If they'd searched sooner, perhaps I wouldn't have vanished without a trace.

"Alright, I've taken your money and I'll do what I can. I'll keep you posted. You came to collect someone and haven't found her, but you'll still need to pay the ransom and take one girl back with you. My guys don't work for free, right?"

"Got it," my father nodded. A sudden thought struck him. He spotted a familiar face in the crowd.

"I know who to take back!" he exclaimed, returning to the room and pointing to a bewildered Ann. "I know this girl. She was close to Amanda. Maybe she knows where Amanda is."