Chapter 438

A jolt went through Emma. She maintained her composure, saw the guest off, and then pulled the guard into the shadows of the garden. “What do you mean, she escaped? What happened p>

She had assigned two men to the kidnapping: the man with the buzz cut and sunglasses, Jason, and the guard standing before her now.

The guard had also been stationed near the factory, but Amara hadn’t seen him.

Emma had called him back early because she needed him to drive her to the factory later.

The guard kept his voice low. “Amara told Jason she had to use the bathroom. When he wasn’t looking, she threw dirt in his eyes and stabbed one of them with a branch. Then she ran p>

“Jason didn’t even have time to go to the hospital. He drove around searching for her with one good eye but couldn’t find her. He thinks she ran into the forest. What are your orders p>

“That conniving little bitch p>

Emma’s hand shot out and snapped a flower from a nearby bush. The crimson petals bled a juice that looked like blood trickling through her fingers in the dark.

“Get into that forest and find her,” she hissed. “I want to see a body, dead or alive p>

At least she’d had the foresight to take Amara’s phone. Lost in the woods with no way to call for help, Amara was trapped.

They just had to corner her. She would be found. Emma repeated the thought to herself like a mantra.

A few minutes later, Emma returned to the villa. Despite her attempts to reassure herself, she was seething, her face a mask of fury that was a stark contrast to the cheerful hostess she had been moments before.

Liliana noticed her mood and walked over, linking her arm with Emma’s. “Mrs. Everly, what’s wrong? Did someone upset you p>

Emma glanced at Finnian, who was standing nearby with a cold, distant expression. *He’s the one who upset me,* she thought bitterly.

If he had just listened to her and married Liliana, none of this would have been necessary.

But she couldn’t say that. “I’m fine,” she said coldly. “Don’t worry about me. You two go on p>

Liliana, ever perceptive, recognized the dismissal. She released Emma’s arm. “Alright,” she said, and walked away.

She rejoined Finnian, about to speak, when a woman burst through the front doors.

She was wearing a hastily thrown-on coat, her hair was a mess, and her face was, etched with panic. She scanned the room, desperately searching for someone..net

Finnian saw her immediately and strode over. “What’s wrong p>

It was Elysia, and Finnian was the person she had been looking for.

She grabbed his arm and pulled toward the door, her voice a low,

urgent whisper. “Amara’s bene

kidnapped You have to help me find her p>

MS

The color drained from Finnian’s face. “What do you mean, kidnapped? When did this happen p>

“She was supposed to be traveling today. She should have landed by now. But a few hours ago, she called me and said she’d been kidnapped and told me to trace her phone and save her. Then she hung up.tried caffing back, but no one answered. A little while later, the phone was turned off p>

Elysia finished her frantic explanation as she pulled open the passenger-side door

and tried to shove Finnian inside.

But he pushed her away and got out. “I’m driving p>