Chapter 231
The morning light crept in, but Daniel Chen didn't appear as usual. Emily Smith curled up under the blankets, her throat raw as if scraped by sandpaper. Every swallow sent sharp pain through her.
She forced herself up, only to be hit by a sudden cramp in her abdomen. When she pulled back the covers, a dark red stain bloomed across the sheets. Her period had arrived a full week early, worsening her already miserable state.
Painkillers rolled in her palm before she tossed them back. The recording equipment sat untouched on the desk—today's work would have to wait. She sent a leave notice to the studio and grabbed a novel.
Sunlight streamed through the window, yet she shivered. The words on the page blurred as the painkillers dragged her toward sleep. When her phone rang, she nearly tumbled off the couch.
"Big Boss" flashed on the screen. She squinted, sluggish, and swiped to answer.
"Hello?" Her voice was hoarse.
A pause. Then, "Emily?" The familiar tone jolted her awake. She hung up immediately, fingers trembling as she blocked the number again.
William Johnson stared at the ended call, his knuckles whitening. He redialed, only to be met with an automated rejection.
"Find her. Now." He threw his phone aside, his expression dark.
Sam Wilson reported swiftly, "Miss Smith hasn't left Sky City all day."
William grabbed his coat and strode out. The elevator numbers climbed, his frown deepening. The fingerprint lock beeped softly, revealing an unsettling silence inside.
The master bedroom was tidy. The guest room empty. The balcony curtains swayed in the breeze. Not even a cup of warm water waited in the kitchen.
"Emily!" His voice sharpened.
At that moment, Emily sat on the heated bidet, the warm water easing her cramps. She thought she imagined the sound of the door unlocking—until his call pierced through.
She startled to her feet. The water stopped abruptly. Fumbling with her clothes, her fingers shook against the doorknob. The mirror reflected her pale face and trembling lips.
Footsteps drew closer.