A sly look flashed past Monicaâs eyes before she nodded. âAlright, Iâll tell you.â
She moved closer to Sophia before suddenly holding up a finger. Sophia found herself drawn to the strange design on Monicaâs finger. Then, the finger began to move side to side quickly. Sophia felt her head spinning as her gaze remained locked on the finger. She could not seem to look away no matter how hard she tried. A few seconds later, all thoughts left her mind and she was left standing there dumbly. Her eyes stared off into space, blank and dull.
Monica took in the dazed look on the hypnotized Sophia before her lips quirked into a pleased smirk. âGo tell your bodyguards that youâre coming with me to see Maya and Nina. Send them back home without you.â
Sophia instantly turned around and headed outside. She dutifully repeated her orders to her bodyguards.
âMaâam, youâre asking us to go back first? You really want to go with her all alone?â her bodyguards expressed their concerns.
âYes. Now, return home.â
With that said, Sophia followed after Monica, who had just exited the private room and was walking off.
One of the bodyguards piped up in alarm, âWhy would Maâam suddenly order us back home without her? Didnât she warn us about how that Monica woman was incredibly sly and to be careful before we came?â
âYeah. I got the feeling something was off about Maâam too.â
After a brief discussion, the bodyguards decided to follow the two women. However, when they exited the café, Monica and Sophia were nowhere to be seen.
âWhere are they? They shouldnât be gone so quickly!â
âMaybe theyâre hiding somewhere? Letâs search around!â
The bodyguards spread out to look for the missing women. Unfortunately, there was no sign of Sophia anywhere near the café. Since Evan was not in town, they had no other choice but to call Davin and report to him.
Meanwhile, Davin was seated at the desk in the presidentâs office. A terrible headache pounded at his temples as he stared at the mountain of documents waiting to be reviewed.
âDamn it, Evan! If youâre really going to be gone for seven months, Iâm doomed! To think I had been planning on outshining you while you were gone! Just looking at all these never-ending documents is giving me a headache! You know what, I give up on doing better than you. At this rate, Iâm just hoping I wonât ruin the company in your absence. Iâll never be able to look you in the eyes if that happened!â
Right as he finished muttering to himself, his phone rang loudly.
The moment he accepted the call, a manâs voice blared through the speakers.
âMr. Davin, something bad has happened!â
âWhat is it?â
âMaâamâs missing! We donât know where she went!â
âWhat did you say? Did you just say my Momâs missing? What do you mean?â
The bodyguard truthfully recounted the earlier events. When he finished speaking, Davin cried out in agitation, âHow could something like that happen? Who is this Monica Marston?â
âWe have no idea, Mr. Davin. Our gut instincts are telling us something is wrong here. Weâre worried about Maâam, which is why we decided to inform you. Maybe weâre just overthinking things and sheâll be back home in a while?â
âOkay, I got it! Honestly, you four! My Mom brought you with her to protect her! How could you just stand by and watch her go off with some stranger! What were you thinking!â
âMr. Davin, we werenât sure what was happening then either! Itâs just that we thought that Monica woman had acted a little oddly.â
âUgh, fine! Thereâs no point in continuing this conversation. Let me call my Dad and talk to him first.â
Davin ended the call but did not get a chance to dial Jonathanâs number when his phone chimed again.
Answering the call, he said impatiently, âWhat is it? Hurry up and speak!â
âAre you Davin Seet?â
âYes. Who are you?â
âI have Nina, Maya, and your mother. Do you want to save them?â
âWhat did you say? Who the hell are you?â
Monica chuckled and replied, âGo ask your father; Iâm sure heâll tell you all about me. If you want your nieces and mother to remain safe, youâll have to do as I say.â
âWhat do you want?â
âItâs simple, really. I want you to ruin Seet Group!â
âWhat? Are you insane? Which mental asylum did you escape from, you crazy woman?â
âOh, trust me when I say Iâm even more terrifying than any mental asylum patient! Youâd better do as I say or Iâll make sure they suffer!â The call ended immediately after that.