Chapter 168

"Why did that child ask to use your phone?" Dominic questioned cautiously, his piercing gaze fixed on Julian.

The younger man winced as he touched his bruised face. "She was lost and needed to call her father. Ever since I met her, my life's been nothing but disasters! I swear she put a curse on me!"

Tears streaked down Julian's swollen cheeks, making him look utterly pathetic.

Dominic studied him with thinly veiled disdain. The man was a walking disaster. "Can you describe her?" His voice was clipped, lips pressed into a hard line.

"Of course! She was stunning—that's the only reason I handed over my phone!" Julian sniffled. "She looked exactly like Evelyn!"

At the mention of her name, Dominic's shoulders tensed almost imperceptibly. "Go clean yourself up."

"But Uncle—" Julian winced again. "My phone's been hacked! It sent all my private photos to my blind date and ruined everything! I think it's still compromised!"

He had no idea why he'd been targeted.

Who could possibly hold such a grudge against him?

"Julian, go to your room and let your mother tend to those bruises. I need to speak with your uncle alone," Gregory interjected firmly.

With a defeated sigh, Julian shuffled away.

Once they were alone, Gregory's expression darkened. "This hacker is relentless. First, they infiltrated Julian's phone, stole his data, then breached Willowbrook Academy's systems. This is a coordinated attack. But why kidnap Sophia? It's been twenty-four hours without a single ransom demand."

Dominic's jaw tightened.

Money wasn't the issue—he'd pay any sum.

His only fear was what they might do to her.

"Dominic, do you have any enemies?" Gregory pressed.

"It has to be someone from the academy," Dominic muttered. "A month ago, I had someone audit their personnel files."

Gregory exhaled sharply. "Your security is airtight. Even Mother and I haven't been able to see Sophia in years. For an outsider to get close..." He trailed off, then added bitterly, "If she hadn't wandered off, this never would've happened."

"Don't blame her." Dominic's knuckles whitened. "She was scared. She ran."

"I'm not blaming her. She's just a child." Gregory's eyes glistened. "I just pray she's still alive."

Morning light filtered through the curtains, but Evelyn still hadn't returned.

Lily's eyes were puffy from crying. "Grandma, I don't want to go to school today," she whispered, clutching her stuffed bunny. "I want Mommy."

Clara, equally strained, relented. "Alright, sweetheart. We'll wait until she comes home, okay?"

Henry, ever observant, leaned close to his sister. "Want to see Mom?" he murmured.

Lily's face lit up instantly.

"Grandma, we're going to play outside for a bit," Henry announced, already leading Lily toward the door.

Clara sighed. "Henry, shouldn't you be in school? Never mind—just be careful."

The siblings slipped into a waiting taxi.

Henry gave the driver an address.

"Is Mommy there?" Lily asked in a hushed voice.

Henry nodded.

Evelyn staggered out of the operating theater at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, her vision blurring from exhaustion.

"Mommy!"

Small arms suddenly wrapped around her legs.

Henry stood beside her, his tiny fingers gripping the edge of her coat.

Evelyn blinked in disbelief. "What are you two doing here? Who told you I was here? Where's Grandma?"

Her weariness evaporated at the sight of them.