Rylie agreed, then asked, “Are you still tied up with the metal mines? Is it proving difficult to settle?”

Felix, concerned that Rylie might overthink and try to step in, explained in a straightforward tone, “I have faced many difficulties in my efforts to develop innovations that move us beyond our country’s dependence on imported technology, which remains highly restrictive. I want to change that, but it is far from easy, and it is not something you should be troubled about. We are here to take care of everything, so just focus on being happy and try not to dwell on it, alright?”

Rylie lowered her gaze, her eyes soft with concern. “Alright, then I will prepare some nutritional supplements for your health. You can steep them in your cup when you are away on business trips. They will strengthen your body and help guard against exhaustion.”

Felix felt his heart nearly melt at her thoughtfulness. Those detestable members of the Kirk family had never known how to value her. In retrospect, allowing the Kirk family to continue existing had been far too merciful. “Thank you, Rylie.”

After he ended the call, Felix’s expression darkened, and he addressed Alistair in a cold tone. “Is everything settled with Brad?”

Alistair gave a firm nod. “Everything is ready. Zaylee’s birth mother, along with the actress she hired to play the role, are already on their way to the venue. Once they arrive, the truth will surface, and every false accusation against Miss Owen will be turned back on them.”

Felix’s nod was slow, his voice laced with the merciless edge of a seasoned businessman. “That girl will pay twice over for what she’s done to Rylie.”

Alistair lowered his gaze respectfully. “I’ll see to it, sir. You have my word.”

The next morning, the surgery hour had arrived, yet Zander was nowhere to be seen. Rylie dialed his number. The first call connected, but no one picked up. When she tried again, his phone had already been switched off.

Rory glanced at her. “Do you think he backed out at the last moment?”

Rylie shook her head. “No. His voice is everything to him. He would never pass up this chance to restore it.”

The anesthetist standing nearby looked perplexed. “Then where is he? What could have happened? Surely he hasn’t been kidnapped, has he?”

Rylie’s eyes lingered on him in silence, her expression deep in thought. Flustered, the anesthetist quickly added, “I’m kidding. Who would even think to abduct him?”

“I’m heading out for a while.” Rylie quickly shrugged off her white coat and set it over the back of a chair, revealing a plain dark ensemble beneath. Without a pause, she turned to leave, offering only a single directive. “Keep the surgical instruments ready.”

She made her way to her private lounge, drew open the desk drawer, and powered on a spare laptop. Her fingers raced over the keyboard, lines of intricate code cascading down the screen in fluid motion.

Even with Zander’s phone switched off, the initial call had left behind a traceable signal.

Rylie tapped into the hospital’s surveillance system, using it as a gateway to slip past the city’s network firewall without detection. A rapid stream of camera feeds from across the city flickered on her screen, each discarded in swift succession. At last, one image froze in place, the data locking onto it with precision, and a specific location appeared alongside it.

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