Chapter 1698

"Is that permission to ransack the house? Since you refused to hand her over, we had to get her ourselves!" Elijah waved his hand, and his men surged forward. Fabian's face fell. "Hey! Are you harassing our family?!" he shouted sharply. The Moores' own henchmen immediately blocked the doorway, creating a tense standoff.

Maria frowned and quietly retreated to make a phone call. 'Rhea mustn't return,' she thought. 'Who knows what's wrong with the Fikes that they're behaving like this? Rhea would be in danger.' She dialed Rhea's number, but only the dial tone answered. Her worry intensified, and she began to sweat.

Michelle, observing the Moores, understood Maria's intentions the moment she saw the phone. "Mrs. Moore!" Michelle grabbed Maria's wrist, twisting it forcefully. "What are you doing?!" Maria, caught off guard, froze before struggling desperately. "Let go of me!" she cried. "Are you trying to call your daughter so she can escape? It won't be that easy!" Michelle sneered, tightening her grip and snatching the phone. A brawl erupted.

"Elijah Fike!" Fabian yelled, unable to bear his wife's mistreatment. "Don't go overboard!" "Who's going overboard?!" Elijah retorted, stepping forward unflinchingly. "Since you won't admit it, call your daughter down here to explain. Then we'll know the truth!" "I told you, Rhea isn't here!" Fabian roared, clenching his fists. "Don't blame me for suing you for frivolous litigation!" "Go ahead! I'm not scared of you!" Elijah shot back.

Suddenly, a group of people appeared and rushed to Elijah's side. "She's nowhere to be found," one reported. Fabian stared, dumbfounded. 'When did they get here?' he wondered. Elijah was equally startled. "She's not?!" he exclaimed. 'Someone said Rhea returned; how could she be gone? Did she grow wings?' "Have you searched thoroughly?" he demanded. "I'll go look for her myself! I'll find her, even if I have to dig six feet under!"