71| A Race Against Time

Jessica returned to her office, her mind racing. She had always been wary of Robert Sinclair, but recent events had pushed her suspicion into overdrive.

She had noticed the change in Ethan since he married Sophie. The once obedient son—who never dared to challenge his father—had slowly begun to assert himself.

Sophie had brought out a different side of him. A side that was stronger, more independent. A side willing to stand up for what was right.

Jessica admired that change. But she knew Robert saw it as a threat.

For years, she had sensed that Robert’s ruthlessness would one day lead to something dangerous. She had kept her concerns to herself, knowing that Ethan, despite everything, still respected his father.

But now?

Now, Robert had crossed a line.

Jessica was no longer willing to stay silent.

Determined to uncover the truth, she had placed an informant on Robert, needing to know just how far he was willing to go to control Ethan—and how much danger Sophie was in.

Then, her phone buzzed.

A chilling message sent a wave of shock through her, making her grip the desk for balance.

Her pen slipped from her fingers. Her face went pale.

She didn’t waste a second.

She sprinted out of her office, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she rushed toward Ethan’s office.

No time to knock.

She burst through the door.

"Jessica, what is it?"

Ethan immediately stood up from his desk, alarmed by the panic in her eyes.

Jessica tried to catch her breath. “Ethan… I just received a tip from my informant.” Her voice was unsteady, her hands shaking.

She swallowed hard, then forced herself to say it.

"Your father… he’s paid some gangs to… to get rid of Sophie."

The world tilted.

Ethan went still, his heartbeat pounding in his ears.

For a moment, he couldn't even process her words. His father was ruthless, yes. Manipulative, cold. But this?

This was beyond anything he had imagined.

"Are you sure?" His voice was low, almost dangerous.

Jessica nodded, her expression grim. "I wouldn’t have come to you like this if I wasn’t certain. Ethan, she’s in imminent danger. We have to act fast."

Ethan didn’t waste another second.

He grabbed his car keys and bolted out of the office, Jessica rushing after him.

"Do you want me to call the cops?" she asked urgently.

"Please. Be on standby. I’ll call you if I find anything."

Jessica nodded. "Got it. Just find her, Ethan."

He sprinted to his car. His fingers fumbled as he unlocked the door, his breathing sharp, shallow.

His hands were shaking.

He grabbed his phone, dialing Sophie.

It rang. And rang. And rang.

No answer.

His pulse skyrocketed. He tried again, gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white.

Still nothing.

“Come on, Sophie,” he muttered. “Pick up.”

Panic clawed at his chest.

He tried Lily. No answer.

For a moment, he considered calling Martha but stopped himself. He didn’t want to scare her if he could avoid it.

Mia.

His last hope.

“Mia, thank God.” Ethan barely let her speak before blurting, “Do you know where Sophie is? I can’t reach her.”

Mia hesitated. “I’m not sure, Ethan. I’m not at the shop today—I’ve been feeling sick, so I didn’t open. Is everything okay?”

He tried to steady his voice. “I just… I need to find her. She’s not answering her phone, and I need to make sure she’s safe. I’m heading to the shop now.”

Mia’s concern deepened. “Okay, Ethan. Please, let me know if you find her.”

“I will. Thank you.”

God, he had just been about to drive to her before Jessica called this morning.

Before she had told him the truth—that his father had been behind the loan sharks.

He had already been worried, knowing that the trauma Sophie had gone through was, in the end, his family’s fault. The guilt had eaten away at him the moment he found out.

But even then—he had still wanted to go to her.

Until Jessica gave him this news.

Until she told him something that shattered everything in him.

Now, she wasn’t just hurting. She was in danger.

His chest felt tight, his breathing uneven. If something happened to her…

He wasn’t so sure he would be able to survive it.

He couldn’t lose Sophie—not like this, not ever.

He prayed silently, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.

He needed to get to her before it was too late.

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