The Crime Boss stared at him for a fraction of a second.He had heard Alexander issue ruthless orders before. He knew that his young master possessed resources and connections most people could not begin to imagine, and he understood that Alexander was capable of mobilizing those resources when circumstances demanded it.Still, there was something different about this command.Alexander was no longer speaking like a man overseeing an investigation. He was speaking like someone who had reached the point where every obstacle between himself and Clara had become intolerable."Yes, Young Master," the Crime Boss replied immediately.He took the phone back long enough to forward the photograph to the Butler, adding a message explaining that Alexander wanted every available resource committed to locating Clara. He then placed a call to confirm that the instructions had been received and that additional men would be dispatched without delay.Alexander did not wait for the conversation to fini

Alexander had barely finished giving the Crime Boss his final instructions when his phone vibrated on the table. He turned toward it immediately, hoping that the Butler had discovered something useful from the photograph of Clara.The image had left him with a thousand unanswered questions, and every minute that passed without a meaningful lead made it harder for him to control the growing fear that something terrible might happen before he reached her.He snatched up the phone and answered without waiting for the second ring. "Speak."The Butler's familiar voice came through the line, serious and measured. "Young Master, we've tried analyzing the image and tracing the IP, but it was sent through a secure system.There is no usable IP address, and the location information appears to have been deliberately crafted. We have no way of identifying the location from the image."Alexander's expression changed. "What do you mean, you have no way of identifying the location?""We've examined

The Crime Boss nodded. "Yes, Young Master."He moved a short distance away and began arranging the communication, speaking quietly as he explained the urgency of the situation. Alexander watched him for a moment before looking back at the photograph on his own phone.Clara's face filled the screen.The cloth covering her mouth seemed to mock his inability to protect her. He could almost imagine the questions she would ask if she were standing beside him: why had someone taken her again, who was responsible, and how long would it take before she could finally return to a place where she felt safe?Alexander had no answers for her.That was what troubled him most.He could fight an enemy he could see. He could confront a threat once he understood its nature. But an unseen opponent who controlled the information available to him could force him to react without knowing whether he was moving toward Clara or walking directly into a trap.He had no intention of allowing that to happen.His

Alexander glanced toward the Crime Boss, who had finished issuing instructions and was now watching him from across the room.Neither man needed to discuss the urgency of the search. Clara remained missing, and the photograph had confirmed that her captor was prepared to use her disappearance to provoke a reaction.Alexander had two problems demanding his attention, but one did not cancel out the other.He could search for Clara with every resource available to him while still ending a marriage that had long since lost its meaning.He had no intention of allowing Aurelia's refusal to hold his future hostage. "Get it done, whatever it takes."The words came without hesitation.On the other end of the line, the lawyer paused briefly, perhaps surprised by how decisively Alexander had answered."Understood. I'll begin preparing the documents and proceed through the appropriate legal channels. I'll keep you informed of any developments and let you know if the court requires anything furthe

His phone vibrated again, but this time it was only a message from one of the men assigned to the search. Alexander opened it, scanned the brief update, and immediately felt his frustration deepen.The team had checked another possible location, but the search had produced nothing useful; he locked the screen and placed the phone on the table."Keep going," he ordered. "We don't stop until we have something solid.""Understood, Young Master."The Crime Boss returned to his calls, coordinating the investigation while Alexander stood in the center of the room, caught between the future he was determined to claim and the danger threatening the woman he loved.The divorce would proceed. He had made that decision, and Aurelia's refusal would no longer be enough to keep him trapped in a marriage he no longer wanted.But the freedom he was fighting for would mean very little if Clara remained missing.Alexander looked once more at her photograph, and his expression hardened with renewed dete