With things having reached this point, the government had no choice but to step in.

The authorities first posted online to reassure the public, then sent teams to work together with Aerospace Corp to investigate what happened.

Of all those involved, Joshua needed help from Aerospace Corp the most.

The two sides met at the offices of Aerospace Corp.

Joshua made his request clear, asking the Aerospace Corp to check all recent flight routes to see if any nes had departed for Daltonia.

The police looked over and asked Joshua why he was asking about flights to Daltonia.

Joshua replied in a cool, detached voice, calmlyying out his reasons.

“My fiancée has gone missing,” Joshua said. “Early investigations suggest she was kidnapped by my enemies. Yesterday, she was supposed to be on the flight that crashed.”

The police officer raised an eyebrow. “How can you be sure she didn’t board that flight? The staff says she checked in and actually got on the ne.”

Joshua didn’t bother giving any more exnation.

“Just do as I say,” Joshua said coldly. “Check the flight routes from Jupiton to Daltonia, and investigate Richard in Daltonia.”

The police still weren’t fully convinced by his words, but Joshua didn’t care.

He got the flight information he needed, and now he was almost certain that Xylia had been kidnapped by Richard and taken to Daltonia.

Without wasting a second, Joshua booked a flight to Daltonia.

He also touched base with Graham in Daltonia, asking him to help with the search there.

Aaron didn’tment on Joshua’s decision. Joshua had already cleaned up nearly all the trouble in Jupiton, so Aaron just had to stick around and wrap up whatever was left.

Eliza was so worried after hearing about Richard kidnapping Xylia and Joshua heading off to Daltonia that she couldn’t eat or sleep.

Aaron said, “Don’t worry. Joshua’s not a kid anymore.”

“How could I not worry?” Eliza said, rubbing her forehead, looking exhausted.

“Joshua almost lost his life overseas when he was fifteen. Richard’s just as vicious as his dad. I’m terrified something might happen to Joshua… I just…” The words caught in Eliza’s throat, her anxiety clear as day.

b9:19 /bbThu/bb, /bbOct /bb2 /b

Eliza couldn’t get the words out, anxiety twisting in her chest, leaving her shaken and breathless.

Aaron pulled her close, his voice steady and reassuring. “Really, there’s nothing to worry about Joshua’s bnot /bba /bfifteen–year–old kid anymore he knows how to protect himself, and he’s bringing Xylia home safe?

Every time I think about Xylia, I can’t help but worry even more, Eliza thought, the anxiety wing at her heart.

If it weren’t for all this mess with the Garcia family, she never would’ve caught the attention of someone like Richard. It’s all our fault she’s in danger,’ she told herself bitterly.

‘We really let her down…‘ Eliza sighed inwardly, guilt weighing heavily on her chest.

Aaron gently patted Eliza’s back infort.

When Noelle stepped into the living room, she immediately felt the suffocating tension weighing over

everyone.

Seeing Aaron and Eliza sitting together on the couch, with tears still clinging to Eliza’sshes, Noelle understood instantly–Eliza was sick with worry about Xylia:

Noelle clenched her fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms.

Forcing a weak smile, she walked over to them.

“Dad, Mom, don’t worry too much about Joshua,” Noelle said softly, trying to sound reassuring. “I know he’ll bring Xylia back safe and sound.” fn8b61 Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n Find~Novel/fn8b61

Hearing Noelle’s words, Eliza finally lifted her head from Aaron’s shoulder.

Noelle plopped herself down next to Eliza, snuggling up and clinging to her arm, acting all cute to cheer her olliup. /li/ol

“Mom, Joshua’s really smart and super capable—you don’t have to worry about him at all! Look at your eyes, they’re all red from crying. It honestly makes me feel so bad,” Noelle said with a yful pout, trying her best tofort her.

On any other day, Eliza would have foundfort in her daughter’s yful attempts to cheer her up.

But not today.

The real reason Xylia was kidnapped was Noelle–the very person Eliza had always treated like her own daughter.

Her heart ached as she quietly loosened Noelle’s grip on her arm.

“I’m a bit tired. I think I’ll rest in my room for a while.”

Aaron gave Eliza a gentle pat on the head, his voice low and warm as he spoke to her.

“Go get some rest,” he said softly.

b9:19 /bbThu/bb, /bbOct /bb2 /b

Eliza stood up and quietly made her way upstairs.

She didn’t spare Noelle a single nce after that.

? 4910

55 vouchers

Noelle pulled her hands back, nervously gripping the hem of her skirt so hard that her fingertips turned pale. Her whole chest tightened with panic.

‘What the hell is going on?‘ Noelle thought, anxiety shooting through her.

‘Why is Eliza suddenly acting so distant?‘ Noelle asked herself, confusion and dread swirling in her mind.

‘Did I do something wrong? Why is she so cold to me?‘ she worried, desperately searching for an answer.

Eliza’s love was all Noelle had left. If she lost even that, she’d really have nothing left in this world.

Aaron caught the anxiety written all over Noelle’s face.

He stood up–gone was the gentle look he’d had with Eliza. His face hardened, and there was a real authority about him.

Noelle always felt a bit intimidated by Aaron.

She got to her feet, her voice a little shaky: “Dad… I’m just going upstairs now.”

But before she could make it to the stairs, Aaron’s voice stopped her cold.

“Noelle, yourst chance is gone,” Aaron said, his voice cold and final.

With those words, he walked out of the vi, leaving Noelle alone in the living room.

The air conditioning kept the ce perfectlyfortable, but Noelle felt ice creeping over her skin.

It was already deep into the night by the time Joshua touched down in Daltonia.

Stepping out of the airport, he caught sight of Graham waiting for him.

Graham was the very image of a full–blooded Daltonian–blonde hair always immactely styled, striking green eyes, and features so sculpted he could’ve been straight out of a magazine.

He still sounded pretty awkward, but he gave it a try.

“Joshua, wee to Daltonia,” Graham greeted, shing his usual warm smile.

Graham moved to give him a hug, but Joshua stepped back, dodging the gesture.

Graham rubbed his nose awkwardly. “You still don’t get how these things work.”

“Still the same old Joshua–zero sense of romance.”

Joshua kept heading out, dragging his suitcase as he walked. “So, did you find out anything for me?”

9:19 Thu, Oct 2

Graham instantly sedered up, dropping the yfulness.

Richards definitely backi? /iGraham said. “He owns a private estate up in the Odell State mountains. Word is ever since he got back, he hasn’t been seen in public–I bet he’s still hiding out in that ce

“And Xylia? Joshua asked, his voice low and tente.

Graham understood exactly who Joshua meant. He dropped his gaze, clearly downcast.

Tve had people searching everywhere, but nobody’s been able to find Xylia, Graham admitted, frustration heavy in his voice. “Honestly… I’m pretty sure she’s still somewhere inside Richard’s estate.”

Joshua’s expression stayed icy and grim, with a chilling darkness in his eyes,

He hurled his suitcase into Graham’s car, his movements sharp and impatient as they both got in.

“Odell State. Take me there,” Joshua ordered, his tone cold as steel.

Graham looked at him in surprise. “You just got off a long flight. Are you sure you don’t want to get some rest

first?

“I’m in no mood to rest,” Joshua replied, his voice cold.

‘I can’t rx. Not when Xylia’s still with Richard. Every second she’s with that bastard, she’s in danger. How the hell could I even think about resting? Joshua thought, his jaw set tight as he stared out the window.

Graham caught the tired, bloodshot look in Joshua’s eyes and could only shake his head helplessly.

“Why don’t you try to rest a bit? I’ll wake you when we get there,” Graham said, his tone soft for once.

Joshua didn’t argue–he just silently closed his eyes, exhaustion taking over as he sat back in his seat.

The ck Lincoln sped down the empty highway, tearing through the darkness like an apostle breaking every seal–a relentless force on a mission, never wavering as it raced toward its target.

Xylia had been locked up for two days now.

Richard hadn’t mistreated her–he’d unlocked the handcuffs and made sure every meal was delivered right to her door.

But he never let her even crack open the heavy curtains. She hadn’t seen a sliver of sunlight since she was brought here.

All this time cooped up was suffocating, and the anxiety just kept gnawing at her for no reason.

She slumped onto the soft carpet in the middle of the bedroom,pletely drained.

Suddenly, the sound of someone at the door caught Xylia’s attention.

Holt came in with a tray of food.

b9:19 /bThub, /bbOct /bb2 /b

Same as always–hamburgers and Coke.

Nylia was already tired of even looking at it.

She had no appetite, but after Holt put the tray down, he didn’t leave.

“How much longer are you going to keep me locked up here?” Xylia snapped, her voice sharp with frustration.

She was expecting Holt to give her the same vague answer he always did, but instead, he just smiled–a cold, unsettling smile.

“Not much longer,” Holt said, his voice low and chilling. “You’ll be out of this room soon enough.”

bAD /b