Chapter 71
“Ms. Habon, I’m a photographer with a fashion magazine, the woman said, flashing a polite smile and holding up her camera. “Your look today is stunning Could I gri a solo shot of you?”
I hesitated for a second, then nodded. It wouldn’t take long, right? I glanced at Aiden and gestured toward the garden. “Wait for me there, I’ll be
Twenty minutes later, the “quick” photo session was finally over, I made my way to the garden, expecting to see Aiden waiting.
But it was entre. Not a single person in sight, Really? He said for would wait
I pulled out in phone and called him, but it went straight to vol email. A minute later, a test popped up (Sorry, Natalia Emergency at the hospital Had to learl
Right. Aiden was chief surgeon now, and emergencies came with the territory. It wasn’t a big deal.
Shnugging it off. I went back inside and spent the rest of the evening mingling with my parents‘ guests
Over the party wrapped up. I headed back to the Smith family’s house for the night. It was my first time staying there, the soft bed, the calming tones — § was perfect 1 slept like a baby,
The next morning, it was back to business. Walking into the Madden Group, I could feel the stares.
Of course, the internet was buzzing with no
news about me being the long–lost Smith family daughter.
When I got to my offer. Raclynn practically jumped out of her chair. Ms. Hinton You’re the Smith daughter? This is like something out of a
I couldn’t help but laugh. “What kind of novel heroine has a life this messy?
She grinned. “Ranbow comes after rain, right? Your happy ending starts now!”
“Okay, okay back to work, I uid, waving her off “Lunch is on me today, though”
True to my word, I treated her to lunch at a trendy spot near the office, by the time we got back, it was prak elevator hour, and the lobby was packed
The elevator beeped as soon as Raelynn and I stepped in. “Over capacity the robotic voice announced.
I was the last one to squeeze in, so I had no choice but to step back and let Raelynn go up without me.
I was left alone, so I scrolled mindlessly on my phone. That was when I felt someone brush past me.
A familiar jasmine scent lingered in the air, making me look up. Quinn. I froze, caught off guard as our eyes met
“Come with me,” he said, his tone low and firm. It took a second for me to realize he was talking to me.
“Mr. Madden, is there something you need? I managed to ask, any voice careful.
His private elevator arrived, the doors opening silently. He stepped in but kept a hand on the door, waiting. I hesitated but eventually followed him.
The doors closed, trapping us in an awkward silence. I shifted on my feet before finally breaking it. This is about the news, isn’t se
If the whole company knew about me being part of the Smith family, there was no way Quinn didn’t, I had been dreading this moment all day.
He turned his head, his expression unreadable. Then he raised an eyebrow and said, “Didn’t you say your personal life had nothing to do with m Ouch. I hadn’t expected him to throw my own words back at me like that.
Before I could think of a response, he lifted his wrist and tapped the face of his watch. “I just care that my staff is back on time.
I glanced at the clock. Two o’clock sharp. Lunch break was officially uver
His sulale jab left me
me speechless. I stood there, stunned, trying to find something to say but coming up empty
The elevator dinged. My floor. I stapped back to reality and forced a polite suule. “Got it. Thanks for the reminder, Mr. Madden”
As I stepped out, his voice stopped me. “Are you planning to leave Madden Group?
I turned, confused. “Excuse the
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Chapter 71
His tone casual but his words pointed. “10 million dollars is nothing to the Smith family”
fr chicked what Quinn was getting at, and I stood my ground
“Our agreemen
(for tuer year.” Loid himly. “There are sti two years left, and 111 keep doing my joh until you decide to end it.”
The Sonith family’s money didnt fall from the sky, and no way was I paying 10 million dollars to break a deal early. I had already toughed it out for
I waust about to play the fool. When I huisdied. Qenn’s lips curved into a smile. A real one
“What’s so fimny! I asked completely thrown off.
Nothing,” he said with a small cough, though the amused look lingered. Then, with a shring, he added, “Congrandations.”
Before I could respond, he nudged me out of
I stood there for a moment, completely baffled. “He’s lost it, I muttered under my breath as the doors closed. Quinn and his mood wing–what
The rest of the afternoon flew by in a blur of work, just as I was packing up to leave, my phone buzzed. It was Aiden’s mother, Els
da” her soft voice sounded unusually tense, “is Aiden with you?”
“No” I said, frowning. “He said he had to go back to the hospital last night”
Her breath lunched. Tcalled the hospital. They said he never came in, and he didn’t show up for work today either. I thought maybe he stayed with
you
A chill ran through me. Aiden was missing. –
to voicemail.
I tried to stay calm, reassuring Elsa while my thoughts raced. As soon as I hung up. I called Aiden, but it went straight to
Next, I reached out to Rose. “Rose, have you heard from Aideo!“
No,” she said, alarm creeping into her voice. “Why! Did something happen!”
I hesitated, not wanting to alarm her. “Im sure it’s fine. Il check with a few others. If you hear from him, let me know right away.”
After that, I made a string of calls–to mutual friends, colleagues, anyone who might’ve seen him. Every answer was the same: no one knew where
When I finally updated Elsa, her voice broke. “Something’s wrong. Aiden wouldn’t just disappear! I’m calling the police.”
Without wasting another second, I grabbed my keys and headed for the police station, my mind a whirlwind of worry and questions.
There, I saw tears streamed down Elsa’s face as she held onto the police officer, pleading. Please, you have to find my son!” Her voice shook with
worry.
Aiden had vanished after attending Ben’s birthday party, and as the last person to see him, the police turned to me for answers.
were going to take a walk in the garden, but
“There was nothing unusual about him that day, I told the officer, trying to remember the details. “We were g by the time I got there, he was already gone”
I pulled out my phone to show him the text Aiden had sent me later. I called him that night, but he didn’t answer. He sent me this text afterward “
The officer took note of everything and then asked, “Did Aiden have any enemies?”
Ethan, looking drained, quickly shook his head. “Aiden is a kind person. He’s never had issues with anyon
anyone. He doesn’t have
enemies”
The officer nodded but turned the question back to me.
A sudden thought striking me. Could Aiden’s disappearance have something to do with the woman whose child was swapped with Benedict?
