Anxiety etched deep lines across their faces; after all, finding an individual amidst the sprawling metropolis was akin to searching for a needle in a haystack.
Melonâs cries only added to their sense of urgency.
They couldnât afford to rest, leaving Mitchel behind to provide solace while they rushed out once more in pursuit of answers.
Melon dried his tears and returned to his room after a while.
He sat there, straining to keep the tears at bay.
He took a little mobile phone from his small cabinet and phoned a number he became acquainted with these days.
During a meeting, Holden was surprised to get a call from Melon.
He raised his hand, signaling for a break, and went into a nearby room to take the call.
On the phone, Melonâs voice trembled as he cried out for his father.
Holden was concerned as he suspected that something might have upset the child.
âWhatâs the matter, Melon? Is someone bothering you?â
âs
Through tears, Melon managed to say, âDaddy, Mommy.
.
Mommy is not back yet.
â
Holdenâs concern deepened, but he remained calm and asked, âDonât worry, talk to Daddy.
What happened?â
âMommy hasnât been home since the day before yesterday, and she didnât return yesterday or today.
My godmother and the others are out searching for her, Daddy.
Will Mommy be okay? Am I going to lose her?â
Melonâs emotions overwhelmed him, and he began to cry.
Upon hearing about Arianaâs disappearance, Holdenâs heart raced with anxiety.
He tried to comfort the boy, âMommy will come back, sweetheart.
Stay home and try not to worry.
â
Holden reassured Melon and signaled for the meeting to end.
He called Shawn over and assured Melon that things would be fine.
At the same time, he quickly wrote a note, instructing Shawn to investigate the situation immediately.
Just then, another manâs voice reached Melon through the phone, and the call abruptly ended.
Holden immediately remembered the man he saw with Ariana at the mall the other day.
His presence at Arianaâs house, coupled with his close ties to Melon, sent an unsettling shiver down Holdenâs spine.
Nevertheless, the primary objective was that they had to find Ariana.
Sensing the urgency in his bossâs demeanor, Shawn activated the discreet search network of the Fredrick family.
It didnât take long for them to uncover a lead.
âMr.
Fredrick, the most recent location we have is near an underground bar,â Shawn reported as he placed surveillance photos on Holdenâs desk.
He also shared details about Tomâs recent involvement in a drug scandal.
âThis underground bar has connections to Rollingrock Media.
Our investigation strongly indicates a kidnapping, and Carl appears to be the mastermind behind it all.
He orchestrated the abduction of Miss Edwards and Tom, Our latest information points to a location near this warehouse.
â As he spoke, Shawn marked the warehouseâs position on a digital map for Holden to see.
âSend me where it is located,â Holden demanded, ready to take his leave.
But Shawn caught up to him and expressed his concern.
âMr.
Fredrick, do you intend to go there?â
âAbsolutely.
â Holden responded with a cold tone and grabbed his car keys so he could be on his way.
Shawn blocked Holdenâs path and cautioned, âMr.
Fredrick, it might not be wise for you to personally get involved.
This situation doesnât directly concern us, and your intervention could draw unwanted attention.
Also, we should put Miss Pierreâs situation into consideration.
â
Holden paused for a moment.
He took a moment to compose himself and let go of the door handle.
Shawn had a valid point.
No matter what, he shouldnât personally interfere in this issue.
Acting on impulse and losing control over a woman wasnât the right course of action for him.
Inside the warehouse, Ariana and Tom relied on the faint light to keep track of time.
The man who had taken them gave them no food, and their strength waned.
He had been closely watching them, and it appeared that his next move was approaching.
After checking their restraints, he momentarily left to get himself some food.
Ariana knew they couldnât allow this chance to go to waste.
She signaled to Tom to pick up a sharp shard of debris from the floor, and they commenced cutting each otherâs bindings.
Fortunately, the warehouseâs floor was covered in gravel, and after some strenuous effort, they successfully freed themselves from the ropes.
But they had a single exit â a metal door which was firmly locked.
Ariana looked around the room and pointed to the only window in it.
It was barred with welded bars.
With Tomâs assistance, she climbed up and began to hit the window with a stone.
Ultimately, they managed to break the glass.
Filled with a sense of relief, they readied themselves for their escape.
However, just as they were about to climb out, the metal door swung open.
The man who had been watching them had returned.