Seeing the man ask about his son, Persis realized he must be the father of one of the missing kids. Concern was written all over his face, and his eyes darted around the hall as if he might spot his son at any moment.Persis couldn’t tell which family he belonged to. He had bright blond hair and light brown eyes, someone she hadn’t seen before—perhaps he was only here for the event.Before anyone could answer his question, another man stepped forward. This one had dark hair, but his features mirrored the blond man’s—the same face, the same build, only with different-colored hair.“My son is also missing,” he said, voice steady but strained. “Can you tell me where he is?”A third parent stepped forward, her tone urgent. “Alexander, tell us what’s happening. Don’t keep us in the dark.”Alexander raised a hand for calm, though his expression remained stern. He knew panic was inevitable, but they deserved the truth. Better that they heard it from him than whispered rumors.“Three children

Persis couldn’t believe what Tedmond had just said. Sit and wait? The more she thought about it, the more absurd it sounded. A child left in her care had been kidnapped, and she was supposed to sit back and act like nothing was wrong?She clenched her fists, her voice trembling but firm. “There’s no way I’m going to sit and wait. I need to do something too.”Tedmond’s sharp eyes narrowed on the screen. “Like what?”Persis met his gaze without flinching. “Help me track Bianca. And I’ll go there myself. Whoever took her did it to get to me—so I’ll handle it my way.”His expression hardened instantly. “Absolutely not.” His voice was like steel. “If they took Bianca to reach you, then you’re the target. Walking into their trap would be reckless.”Persis shook her head stubbornly. “If Bianca’s there, then I have to be there too. She’s under my care, Tedmond. You weren’t here—you left her with me. If I don’t take responsibility and do everything in my power to bring her back, I won’t feel l

Dione’s jaw dropped, rage burning as Bianca’s words hung in the air like a challenge. Of all the things she had thought could disrupt her plan, she hadn’t expected the little girl to be one of them.“Shut up!” Dione shrieked, pointing a trembling finger at Bianca. “You can’t give us money! You can’t even talk about tripling it!”Nyssa, Elara, and Thalia echoed her fury, yelling over one another, their voices sharp.“Silence, child!”“You don’t know what you’re saying!”“How are you even going to get the money?”Bianca’s small face remained steady, her eyes flashing with defiance.“I can,” she said simply. “My family is well-off. I can pay.”Dione’s lip curled in disbelief.“We know the Damon family is rich!” one of the kidnappers said cautiously, stepping slightly forward.Bianca tilted her head, voice calm and precise. “I’m not from the Damon family.”The room fell silent. A pause, then one of the men asked, suspicion lacing his tone, “Then… What family are you from? Isn’t your moth

The hospital room was quiet, save for the soft beeping of monitors and the faint rustle of nurses in the hallway. Persis held Bianca gently in her arms, the little girl still alert but clearly exhausted from the ordeal.A doctor, clipboard in hand, approached with a professional yet reassuring smile.“Ms. Damon,” he began, glancing at Persis, “we’ve done a full check. There are no injuries beyond a few minor bruises and scrapes where she was tied. She’s perfectly fine.”Persis’s shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly. She let out a slow, relieved sigh, tightening her hold on Bianca slightly.“Thank goodness,” she whispered, the tension finally leaving her voice.Bianca, sensing the relief, looked up at Persis with wide, trusting eyes. “I’m okay, Persis,” she said softly, echoing the doctor’s words, though her small hand reached up to grasp Persis’s finger.Persis nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “I know, sweetie. I just… wanted to make sure.”The doctor gave another nod. “Sh

In a sleek, high-rise office overlooking the city, Mayor Gideon Theron sat behind his polished desk, his sharp features tense with worry. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and his usually neat hair had loosened strands falling across his forehead.His jacket lay draped over the back of his chair, sleeves rolled up, tie slightly askew, as if he’d been pacing for hours. On the desk in front of him rested a nameplate: Gideon Theron.“Clara,” he called, his voice sharp but strained. “Have you heard anything from my daughter yet? Has she contacted us?”His assistant, standing near the edge of the desk, glanced nervously at him. “Not yet, sir. She hasn’t reached out this morning either. I’ve tried the usual channels—her phone, friends, even security—but…” Her voice trailed off.The mayor’s jaw tightened. “But nothing?” His fingers drummed faster now. “Do you understand how serious this is? My daughter, Dione—is missing. If something happens to her…” He stopped himself, taking a deep breath, b