Tom shifted on his feet. “We do not have the full picture yet. We tailed Carrie to her medical appointment, like always. The clinic was packed—pregnant women, families, chaos. We kept our distance to avoid standing out. A bunch of guys loitering near a maternity ward would have raised eyebrows.”

    He paused, swallowing hard. “She went inside for her checkup, so we waited in the hospital courtyard. It was routine. The ce has doctors, guards, cameras. We figured she was safe. But when her maid came outter, Carrie was not with her.”

    Tom, sensing Kelsey’s restraint, continued, “We left one guy at the hospital to keep watch. The maid went straight to the police station, reported Carrie missing—possibly snatched. I knew this was big, so I raced here to tell you. The rest of the team is still at the station, but the Morrison family showed up and mped down on everything. We cannot get another word.”

    Jacob’s brow furrowed, his mind churning. “Who would have the guts to kidnap Carrie?” he asked, his voice low, almost to himself.

    Tom shook his head, his shoulders slumping. “Hard to say. Maybe someone desperate enough to risk it all for a massive payout.”

    Jacob scoffed, his eyes narrowing. “Extort the Morrisons? Nobody is that foolish. They would not live long enough to enjoy the cash.”

    A soft, curious voice drifted from the vi’s staircase, cutting through the tension. “What is going on?” Alethea descended, her silk dress swishing with each step. “Who has been kidnapped and extorted?”

    Alethea had no ns today. She had stayed at home, pretending to be the perfect, obedient daughter, but in reality, she was just watching TV shows in her bedroom.

    Yet, earlier, as her eyes drifted from the screen, she had seen something unusual outside the window. In the garden, a stranger stood, exchanging hushed words with her adoptive parents, Kelsey and Jacob.

    Her brow furrowed. She recognized the man—a low-rung employee from the Hinks familypany, someone who barely warranted a nod from Kelsey, let alone a visit to their home. Suspicion coiled in her gut.

    She quickly slipped off the bed, her bare feet padding across the hardwood floor, and crept downstairs. The front door stood slightly ajar, a sliver of sunlight slicing through the gap. Voices drifted in, faint but sharp, and one word pierced the air: kidnapping. Her breath caught, eyes widening as she hurried forward, heart thumping against her ribs.

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    “Miss Hinks,” the visitor said, dipping his head in a polite nod as she approached.

    Alethea barely acknowledged him, her gaze darting to her parents. She nted herself firmly in front of them.

    Kelsey’s face was ashen, her eyes shadowed with worry. Questions churned in Alethea’s mind, but she swallowed them, forcing a gentle tone. “Mom, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. Do you need a doctor? I have no ns today—I can go with you to the hospital if you want.”

    Kelsey’s guarded expression softened, her shoulders easing at Alethea’s concern. She reached out, her hand trembling slightly. “I am fine, sweetheart. It is just… the rtive I never got to meet. They are missing. Probably kidnapped.”

    Alethea’s mouth parted, feigning shock, though her mind raced. “Kidnapped? Was that rtive not supposed to be dead?” Her eyes were wide with calcted innocence.

    Jacob’s frown deepened, his fingers twitching at his side. He clearly regretted Kelsey’s candor, but with the truth half-spilled, he offered a curt exnation. “The old investigation was sabotaged. The rtive is alive.”

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