Chapter 254

Una said she’d been struck by a sudden inspiration and had gone off to a small mountain village in Quamk, hoping to discover the beauty of traditional costumes and use it in her future designs.
Nora sat curled on the sofa, phone in hand. She called Una, asking why she hadn’t picked up.
Una replied that she’d just landed and would call back once she was settled in.
Nora told her to stay safe.
After that, no more messages came from Una.
Nora stared down at her phone, her fingers tightening around it, lost in thought.
Daniel sat beside her, gently taking her cool hand in his. His voice was slow and low. “Where has Una gone?”
Nora snapped out of her daze, a resigned, bittersweet smile touching her lips. “She went to Quamk.”
“Quamk?”
“Yeah, she said she wanted to find inspiration in traditional clothing, to improve her skills as a designer.”
Daniel’s grip tightened a little. He studied Nora’s pale, delicate features-her eyes were calm and unreadable.
“I see. Still, she should’ve messaged you before she left. Made you worry for nothing.”
“As long as she’s alright, that’s all that matters.” The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the.net
She gently slipped her hand from Daniel’s grasp, her emotions cooling.
Daniel sighed, helpless. He glanced toward the wedding dress hanging by the floor-to-ceiling window-a dress Una had insisted on examining, and which still hadn’t been put away.
The beautiful gown hung there, empty and forlorn.
A housekeeper came to ask Daniel if he’d be staying for dinner.
Daniel looked over at Nora.
She smiled lightly. “Would you like to stay for dinner?”
“Sure.”
Daniel found himself captivated by her smile, too dazzled to notice the coldness in her eyes.
After dinner, Daniel wanted to stay the night.
Nora refused.
She walked him to his car and said goodbye.
Daniel drove away, dejected.
Once his car disappeared down the street, Nora’s expression turned cold under the glow of the streetlamp.
She took out her phone and messaged Louis, asking him to help track down Una’s whereabouts overseas.
She’d always believed Daniel wouldn’t help Hans hide Una for Eleanor’s sake.
But then Una had sent that message, claiming she’d gone to Quamk.
Why would Una go to Quamk?
Una had always adored cutting-edge fashion, not rustic, traditional styles.
She could have gone to Heoa, or Wye, or even to some major city abroad to hunt for the latest trends.
But never Quamk.
Daniel had lied to her.
A chilly autumn breeze stung her eyes.
Mr. Frost was about to accept his final apprentice.
The news spread quickly, drawing perfumers from all over the country to Fairvale.
The Frost family reserved an entire hotel to host the grand event.
Nora invited Louis to accompany her.
Daniel had previously said she shouldn’t attend for the sake of her pregnancy, but there was no way she’d actually miss it.
No matter what, she wanted to witness this moment for her mentor.
The venue buzzed with excitement; perfumers mingled everywhere, and the air
was thick with the mingling scents of countless fragrances.
Nora, mindful of the baby, went upstairs with Louis.
From the second floor, she could take in the whole scene.
Louis stood close by, ever attentive, bringing up Una. “Still no leads so far.”
“But Hans came back to the country today-that might make things easier.”
Nora thanked him, her heart twisting with worry.
For now, she could only force herself to endure it all.
She reminded herself to stay calm.
She couldn’t let Daniel or Hans catch the slightest hint of suspicion.
“Don’t rush,” she murmured to Louis. “We’ll keep looking.”
As long as Una was out there, she’d find her.