With only two days left before her departure to Livebop, Sylvia needed to follow Renaâs instructions promptly.
She hoped to meet and persuade Melissa to stay within the Fowler Group, believing that Melissaâs reluctance to part with Marcus might motivate her to work there.
Sylvia considered the on-again, off-again nature of young relationships as she dialed Melissaâs number, only to find out that Melissaâs phone was powered off.
The phone was off?
Sylvia stared at her device in confusion.
An hour later, she tried calling Melissa again, but there was no change â the phone remained off.
Repeated attempts yielded the same result, and a sense of unease crept over Sylvia.
She used her network to discover that Melissa had departed Duefron last night, supposedly for Warsew.
Sylvia felt a momentary relief, assuming Melissa needed time to cool down.
However, Sylvia felt compelled to visit Warsew personally.
Before leaving, she contacted the breakfast shopâs proprietress.
The news she received left her phone hanging limply in her hand.
Shock coursed through her.
Melissa hadnât gone back to Warsew.
She had vanished to an unknown destination.
âs BunnyBookery
No one knew Melissaâs whereabouts.
Sylvia stood in the office, lost in thought.
Eventually, she resolved to inform Marcus, despite the potential finality it might bring to his and Melissaâs relationship.
Knocking on the CEOâs office door, she found Marcus immersed in paperwork.
He said without looking up, âCancel all of todayâs appointments.
â
Sylvia remained silent.
After a pause, Marcus glanced up.
âWhat is it?â
Sylviaâs voice was barely above a whisper.
âMr.
Fowler, Melissa⦠sheâs left.
â
Leftâ¦
Marcusâ pen halted briefly before he replied, maintaining his composure.
âShe went back to Warsew, right? Thatâs good.
She has acquaintances there.
â
Sylvia fixed her gaze on Marcus.
After a significant pause, she spoke up again, her voice softer yet heavier with emotion.
âNo, Melissa didnât return to Warsew.
Iâve tried calling her, and itâs clear sheâs not there.
Nobody knows where sheâs gone.
It seems sheâs made a conscious choice to keep her location unknown.
â
Her voice trembled slightly.
âMr.
Fowler, itâs possible you may never see her again.
I donât believe sheâll return.
Iâm not privy to the details of what transpired between you two, but Iâm certain thereâs been some misunderstanding.
Melissa isnât one for schemes⦠and she genuinely cares for you.
â
Marcus remained silent, his face turned away from the light, leaving his expression obscured.
Sylvia couldnât read his thoughts.