LOGINMarcus ended the call a few seconds after delivering his report to Daniel.Without wasting another moment, Daniel headed straight to the location.He wanted to bring Alina home himself.The black sedan carrying Daniel sped through the city streets, followed by several security vehicles behind it.There were no sirens.No flashing lights.Everything moved silently, like shadows slipping through the city without drawing anyone's attention.Daniel sat in the back seat with a frozen expression.His eyes never left the tablet displaying the map of the apartment complex."How much longer?" he asked flatly."Five minutes, sir," the driver replied.Daniel said nothing else.There was only one possibility occupying his mind.If the report was accurate, then Alina was very close.And they would see each other again very soon.Daniel had missed Alina terribly.He couldn't wait to hold her in his arms again.Meanwhile, inside the hideout apartment, the atmosphere grew even more suffocating.No on
The sun was still high in the sky as the command center on the top floor of Blackwood Enterprises was illuminated by the glow of dozens of monitor screens.Not a single person dared leave their station.Daniel stood in front of the large table with both hands resting firmly on its surface.His cold gaze swept across the city map covered with countless marked locations."We found something," one of the IT team members reported.Daniel raised his head."We found the taxi driver."Daniel's jaw tightened.He glanced at Marcus."Bring him here."Marcus gave a short nod."It's already being arranged."Less than an hour later, a black sedan stopped behind the taxi company's building.A middle-aged man climbed into the vehicle, his face pale.He was the driver who had taken Emma earlier that day.He was brought to Blackwood Enterprises with a black cloth covering his face before being escorted into the building through a secret entrance known only to a handful of people.Daniel was already wa
Richard immediately stepped in front of Alina on instinct. Emma grabbed the small flower vase on the table and gripped it tightly, even though she knew the thing was nearly useless if Daniel's men had truly come.The door opened slowly.A man in a worn hat, with a thin beard, wearing a shabby jacket and carrying a canvas bag, stepped inside without any urgency.No one recognized him."Who are you?" Richard demanded sharply.The man immediately closed the door and locked it from the inside. He raised both hands slowly."Easy."Emma took another step back."Don't move!"The man let out a slow breath, then removed his hat, peeled off his fake beard, and took off the thick-framed glasses that had been covering part of his face."Adrian!"Emma exhaled deeply.Richard lowered his shoulders, which had been tense the whole time."Good grief... I almost attacked you."Adrian smiled faintly."That was the point."He set his bag on the floor."Since midday I've had a feeling I was being watched.
After 24 hours, the search was no longer confined to the city center. The hunt for Alina had now expanded into the outskirts, the connecting roads between districts, even areas Alina had passed through over the last few months. Checkpoints stood at several locations. Blackwood's private security vehicles mixed with police cars conducting quiet inspections. Daniel had no desire to stir up media noise by publicly announcing his wife's disappearance. He simply worked in silence, deploying his trusted people to find one person. Alina. Meanwhile, at the safe house apartment, Emma had just finished getting ready to go out. "I'm going to pick up a few things," she said, pulling on a light jacket. Adrian had already provided basic necessities. Even so, Emma and Alina still needed a few personal items he hadn't thought to include. Richard rose from his chair. "Be careful." Emma nodded. "I'm only going to the convenience store. I won't be long." Alina, sitting on the sofa, looked up at
Elsewhere, Clarissa's phone vibrated just as she finished pouring herself a cup of coffee.She glanced at the screen briefly.A message from Vanessa, one of the women in her socialite circle who had often attended charity events with her."Clarissa, have you heard? Apparently Mrs. Blackwood escaped from the hospital. My husband just got back from the police station. All units are being asked to assist with the search quietly."The cup in Clarissa's hand nearly slipped.Her heart beat hard.She read the message again twice, even three times.Then quickly typed a reply."Seriously?"The response came almost instantly."Yes. Apparently this is an order from above. Alina's name has even been entered into the internal search list. Don't tell anyone, okay."Clarissa didn't reply again. She stood frozen.*"Alina escaped? That woman left the hospital and ran?"*Clarissa's first reaction was shock. But then a smile spread across her face.Clarissa was glad to hear that Alina had fled. That way
Night had not fully fallen when the entire city began to move on a single command.Daniel Blackwood did not know the meaning of surrender.The moment he left the hospital, he returned directly to Blackwood Enterprises headquarters. The top floor of the building transformed into an improvised command center. Dozens of screens lit up simultaneously, displaying city maps, traffic camera footage, vehicle position reports, and digital data refreshed every few seconds.Marcus stood at the large table alongside several members of the security team."We start from the hospital," he said, pointing to one of the screens. "Check every camera facing the exits. Don't miss a single minute.""Yes, sir."Dozens of recordings began playing at once.In the adjacent room, the technology team was tracing the phone signals of Richard, Emma, and Adrian. Every electronic transaction they might have made went directly onto the inspection list.Daniel stood with his back to everyone, his hands resting against
At five in the morning, a soft knock on the door woke Alina from sleep that had never really come.She'd been awake since three. Lying in bed with eyes open, staring at the ceiling, waiting for morning to arrive.Waiting for the chance to see Junior."Mrs. Blackwood?" Mrs. Helen's voice from outsid
At six in the evening, Daniel came home earlier than usual.His Bentley Continental stopped in front of the mansion with smooth precision that somehow felt menacing.He got out with briefcase in hand, posture rigid as always. White shirt still crisp despite it being evening. Tie perfectly knotted.
Three days passed in a blur of careful avoidance.Daniel didn't return to Alina's room, though she heard from Mrs. Helen that he hadn't slept in the master bedroom either. He'd been staying in his study, working late into the night, sleeping on the leather couch when exhaustion finally claimed him.
At eleven o'clock at night, the mansion was already quiet.The staff had returned to their quarters. Daniel was still locked in his study with his laptop and bourbon. Margaret had gone to bed in her own wing. Alina was locked in her room as usual.And Clarissa stood outside Junior's room with her h







