Chapter 198

At first, Diana was calm. She sat quietly, her hands folded in her lap, her eyes lowered to the floor as she tried to understand the meaning behind Stone’s words.

Of course, she had prayed every single day that her daughter was safe. Every morning, every night, that was her prayer. She believed in hope. She believed that wishing and praying were the only things keeping her alive up until now.

But the real question was not if Isla was safe.

The real question was where she was.

Stone’s words sounded like faith. Like hope. Like a man telling her to keep believing. And so, she nodded slowly, even though she did not truly understand him.

Her eyes remained downcast.

Stone watched her closely. He could feel her grief sitting heavy in the room. It was thick and suffocating. He knew she didn’t understand what he was trying to say. And honestly, he couldn’t blame her. Who would understand anything clearly when their child had gone missing?

He felt something tighten in his chest.

Diana Ainsworth was a strong woman, but right now, she is broken. And Stone felt a soft spot for her. He respected her pain. He respected her strength. And he wanted to break the truth to her in a way that would not shatter her completely.

“Diana, ma’am,” Stone began gently, “I know you might not want to believe me-”

He stopped abruptly when another voice cut through the room.

“Honey, I am home.”

Charles’ voice echoed through the sitting room.

Stone turned just as Charles walked in. The moment Charles saw Stone, he froze.

Any visit from the Wyndham family these days was never good news.

But after a brief pause, Charles straightened himself.

Whatever it was, he would face it.

“Stone,” Charles said, forcing a small smile as he stepped forward. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

Stone stood up immediately and shook his hand respectfully.

“How are you, Mr Ainsworth?”

“I’m fine,” Charles replied. Then he glanced at Diana. “As fine as we can be, considering everything. Diana is still trying to get over the sudden disappearance of our daughter.””I understand,” Stone replied softly. “And I can tell how deeply she feels.”

“Please, have a seat,” Charles said, gesturing.

Stone sat down across from them.

For a while, they talked about small things. Safe things.

Things that avoided the real pain sitting in the room. A maid came in quietly and placed refreshments on the glass table in front of Stone.

Charles asked about the Wyndham family. He asked about the company. About how they were holding up in such a hard time.

But before Stone could answer, Diana suddenly snapped.

“Why would you ask such silly questions after already knowing the answers?” she shot at Charles.

Charles was caught off guard. He opened his mouth but no words cante out.

Diana wasn’t done. The anger of a mother who had lost her child poured out.

“They’ve already moved on, and you know it!” she cried. ”

They couldn’t even wait for Gabriel to pull himself together. Their empire means more to them than my daughter. More than Gabriel!”

Stone remained silent.”They didn’t just choose another leader,” Diana continued bitterly. “Can you believe that the same woman who tortured my daughter is now marrying Gabriel’s brother?

Carl!”

Charles sighed deeply.

He knew all of this too. But unlike Diana, he understood something she couldn’t see clearly right now.

The Wyndham empire was massive. Projects worth hundreds of billions. Contractors. Investors. Thousands of employees depending on decisions being made every day.

The world wouldn’t stop because Isla was missing.

Even he had to go to work every day. Even he couldn’t sit at home and mourn forever.

Diana’s voice pulled him back.

“I know my daughter is not dead,” she said firmly.

Stone smiled slightly. Not because he was happy-but because he admired her faith.

“And I believe she will come back to me,” Diana continued.

“But what I don’t know is when. And what they are doing to her right now-”

Her voice broke.

She couldn’t finish.Tears poured freely as she sobbed uncontrollably.

Charles immediately wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “Come on,” he said softly. “Please stop. I thought we were trying to stay strong.”

Stone stood up quietly.

He reached into his pocket, brought out his phone, and dialed a number. He pressed the speaker button.

A familiar voice came through.

“Stone? I hope there isn’t any problem over there.”

Diana stiffened instantly.

That voice.

Her heart skipped painfully.

That was Gabriel.

“Mr Wyndharh,” Stone replied calmly, “everything is fine here. But Mr and Mrs Ainsworth are not.”

“I understand,” Gabriel said. “But I thought you would have told them the truth by now, now that we know who the traitor is.”

Charles and Diana looked at each other sharply.

“Traitor?” they both whispered at the same time.

“I tried explaining everything to Mrs Ainsworth, but-“”Gabriel?” Diana cut in suddenly, her voice shaking. “Are you okay? How are you holding up?”

“Diana,” Gabriel replied gently, “I’m fine. And my wife is fine.”

Silence crashed into the room.

“What… what do you mean your wife is fine?” Diana stammered.

There was another pause.

“Stone must have told you-” Gabriel began.

Diana heard another voice whispering in the background.

“Mom?”

Her world stopped for a heartbeat and her breath caught painfully in her throat.

That voice.

She knew it.

“Isla?” Diana whispered desperately. “Is that you, my love?”

“Mom,” the voice came again, soft and emotional, I’m sorry for everything. But it’s me. Isla. Your daughter. And I’m fine.”