Chapter 216

Sebastian went completely silent.

Evelyn was unpacking teacups from the cabinet when she paused. "Mr. Whitmore? Are you still there?"

One minute ticked by. Then two.

No response came from the other end.

Outside, the rest of the team had woken up. Julian was watering the plants in the courtyard, chatting loudly. "Weather forecast says temperatures will drop starting Wednesday. These pots need to come inside. Anyone want to take two? Otherwise I'm keeping them all in my room."

The noise made it impossible for Evelyn to hear anything through the phone.

After three full minutes, she decided to hang up. Either the connection was bad or Sebastian had gotten busy with work.

Then his voice came through crystal clear. "Apologies, Ms. Sinclair. We had some signal issues earlier."

"That's what I figured. I was about to end the call." Evelyn handed the dishes to another colleague.

The woman carried them toward the communal table.

"Could you repeat what you said before? I missed it." Sebastian had heard perfectly but wanted confirmation.

Evelyn's concern about potential emotional neglect resurfaced. "I said... I'm worried he might take his frustrations out on the children."

Sebastian wondered why Evelyn cared so deeply about his boss's kids.

That was between Dominic and his woman. He was just an assistant following orders. "Honestly Ms. Sinclair, I can't say whether Mr. Blackwood lost his temper after returning to A City. But I did hear..."

He hesitated.

"What?" Evelyn's pulse spiked.

"Yesterday after returning, the boss attended a dinner engagement. He left Alexander and Isabella alone in the penthouse with no supervision. Around dinnertime, Alexander took his sister downstairs with some cash to buy food. The building security saw them leave but didn't intervene. They haven't been seen since..."

"What?" Evelyn's voice shook. How could children just disappear?

"I only learned about it this morning. The boss drank heavily last night and we haven't been able to reach him at his hotel."

The line went dead.

Evelyn raced back to A City immediately. She only told team leader Julian, "Family emergency. I have to go."

Julian nodded understandingly.

No one would deny leave for a family crisis.

On the high-speed train, she repeatedly called Dominic's number.

His phone remained off.

Meanwhile, across town...

The Prescott estate's front lawn blazed with autumn colors - golden yellows and fiery reds creating a breathtaking display. Three identical luxury cars approached, the center vehicle slightly more distinguished. Inside sat Jonathan Prescott, returning from the capital.

Genevieve descended the stairs with their daughter upon receiving the call.

Lillian stepped forward to take her father's briefcase. "It's getting colder, Dad. How was the capital? You should take better care of yourself when traveling."

Jonathan nodded. "Have you two eaten?"

"We waited for you," Genevieve said, handing his coat to a maid.

The maid hung it neatly while another served steaming porridge.

Jonathan's breakfast always included the morning paper. All Prescott men shared this habit.

Noticing her father's fatigue, Lillian stood. "I'm full. You two continue."

"You barely ate. Don't starve yourself," Genevieve fretted, suspecting her daughter's weight concerns.

"I snuck a bun from the kitchen earlier," Lillian admitted sheepishly.

"You naughty girl," Genevieve chided.

"Let me read the paper for you, Dad." Lillian took the newspaper. "By the time I finish, you can rest."

Genevieve appreciated her daughter's thoughtfulness.

Lillian knew exactly which sections interested her father after years in the Prescott household. She saved the financial news for last, having already previewed today's edition.

She'd specifically chosen to read today because of Dominic's coverage.

"With suburban development underway, A City's eastern property values hit record highs, boosting the local economy."

Lillian lingered on this section, anticipating her parents' discussion.

A black-and-white photo accompanied the article - a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Dominic stood among town officials and politicians, his commanding presence making him the group's standout figure in his tailored suit and polished shoes.

Lillian's fingers traced his imposing form in the photo.

"Lillian?" Genevieve noticed her daughter's prolonged attention to the page.

As a woman who'd once been young, she understood.

"Nothing... I'm done. I'll go rehearse my script upstairs." Blushing, Lillian hurried away.

Jonathan, ever the oblivious patriarch, looked puzzled at his wife.

Genevieve sighed. "Our daughter has feelings for Beatrice Lockwood's son."

Understanding dawned. Jonathan glanced at the paper. "Simple enough. I'll make some calls. She's got excellent taste," he approved.

Back in A City, Evelyn first retrieved the penthouse key from Sebastian.

During the ride over, his words replayed in her mind:

"Frankly, I have no complaints about Mr. Blackwood's professional conduct. But raising children? That's another matter."

Inserting the key, she wondered what clues the children might have left - perhaps a note.

The door opened to reveal the man who was supposedly passed out drunk in a hotel, now asleep on the couch with a deep frown.

He held Isabella tightly against him, her tiny mouth slightly open with drool.

Meanwhile, Alexander sprawled like a starfish across the other half of the sofa...