Chapter 4
Ethan said, “We checked the surveillance footage and saw Murphy left on his own. After that, he stayed off surveillance cameras and vanished!”
Benedict turned sharply, his sharp gaze giving way to a flicker of urgency. “When did this happen?”
Ethan’s expression turned grave. “About two hours ago. We thought Murphy wasn’t taken. It looks like he was running away from home.”
Janelle couldn’t suppress a laugh. Apparently, even a kid had his limits when it came to Benedict’s temper. She pressed a hand to her mouth to stifle her laugh when an icy glare cut through her,
Janelle’s face went tense, and she said awkwardly, “Uh, I just… suddenly remembered this hilarious joke I saw online. I swear, I wasn’t laughing at you” Benedict shot her a warning look. Still, Murphy’s safety was his main concern, so he ignored her for now.
Ethan caught the dark look on Benedict’s face and quickly reassured him, “Don’t stress too much, Mr. Fletcher, Murphy’s sharp as a tack. He’ll be just
fine.
Ethan had spent eight years with Benedict, watching
Murphy
grow up. There was no question that Murphy was a tough kid.
Four years back, when Ethan and Benedict got home from a business trip, they found Murphy left inside a cardboard box, dumped outside the Fletcher residence gates.
The second the paternity test proved Murphy was his son, Benedict lost it. Why? He was furious that Murphy’s mother could bring a child into the world and walk away without taking any responsibility.
From that moment on, Benedict did everything he could to give Murphy the best life possible.
No one would have guessed that Benedict–a man whose very name made industry tirans shudder–had secretly practiced holding a doll countless times before he ever cradled Murphy in his arms,
He personally managed every detail of Murphy’s life. That kind of commitment was rare for any father, let alone someone like Benedict, who ran the massive Fletcher Group and barely had a moment to breathe.
Now that Murphy was gone, Benedict was definitely the most desperate. He
He was panicked, sure, but at least he was still holding it together.
“Get everyone moving, now. Deploy drones to sweep the entire city. We need to find Murphy as fast as possible,” Benedict ordered.
He was sure Murphy had gone loolding for his mother. He wouldn’t be this concerned if Murphy were healthy, but the boy had been fragile since birth.
At just three years old, Murphy had suffered a violent episode. His little body couldn’t handle the stress, and he collapsed on the spot.
It took months of careful recovery before his condition finally stabilized for the time being. But ever since then, he’d developed severe autism, and his yeaming for his mother had only gotten worse. Day after day, he begged to find her, leaving Benedict helpless.
Ethan didn’t dare waste any time, not when it involved Murphy. He acknowledged the order and got to work right away
Jenelle’s face gave nothing away as she watched Ethan leave in a hurry. But her eyes held a thoughtful gleam.
Murphy Fletcher?
As far as she knew, Benedict had always kept women at arm’s length. There was no way he had a child. And yet, apparently, he did have a son. But who was the mother?
Meanwhile, Hannah and Tiffany happily munched on glazed donuts as they wall
as they walked down
the busy street
Just then, Tiffany caught sight of a fried chicken nugget stand. Beaming, she wrapped her arms around Hannah’s leg. “I’m really craving those nuggets, Hannah. But my mom doesn’t like it when I eat fried stuff. Can you get some for me and just keep it between us?”
“Say no more. I’ll be right back.”
Hannah had always been a sucker for a pretty face. Seeing Tiffany dressed like a tomboy but spealding so sweetly just made her heart melt.
Even in masculine clothes, Tiffany was effortlessly charming. It had to be genetics working its magic.
Hannah couldn’t help hoping Tiffany might become her daughter–in–law someday. If that didn’t work out, maybe little Bella could be the one. But given Bella’s fragile healta…
The thought made Hannah shake her head with a sigh. Then, she turned and walked away.
Tiffany stood walling, her face full of expectation. Then, out of nowhere, an adult’s hand landed on her shoulder.
By the time Hannah returned with the nuggets, Tiffany was long gone.
The sleek black luxury car r
car rolled smoothly down the road. Ethan shot a look at Tiffany, pinned between bodyguards In the back seat, but instead of relief, his face was right with worry.
“Mr. Fletcher, we’ve got Murphy, but something’s off. His condition’s gotten worse, like he’s disconnected from reality. It almost seems like schizophrenia or something!”
Benedict’s expression shifted in a flash. He listened closely, catching the frantic voice of a child in the background, crying out for help, rambling about a kidnapping and something illegal until the voice started to give out.
Fear for Murphy shot through Benedict. “Hold on. I’m coming!”
Before leaving, Benedict fixed Janelle with an icy glare, his voice edged with warning as he said, “Ms. Moore, I’ll give you extra time to think it over. The house has a landline. Call me when you’ve come to your senses.
Eager to placate him, Janelle nodded quickly and burned in agreement.
Benedict’s eyes flickered with doubt. She was being a little too compliant. But Murphy needed his attention, so he pushed Janelle from his mind. Without another word, he turned and lett
The door had just clicked shut when Janelle’s phone rang
Hannah’s voice on the other end was thick with tears. “Janelle! It’s Tiffany… She’s gone! She wanted chicken nuggets, so I went to get some, but she wasn’t there when I returned!”
Achill shot through Janelle’s chest. “How long has she been missing?”
“Around ten minutes. I already called the police and checked everywhere nearby, but I didn’t want to leave in case she comes back…”
Tiffany’s safety was at risk, and Janelle’s mind was racing. “Okay, focus. Don’t freak out. Send me your location. I’m coming,”
Janelle got the location as soon as she hung up. She glanced at it, tucked her phone away, and started looking for a way out. Her eyes swept the room before landing on the window.
Most people would die jumping from the fourth floor, let alone walk away unharmed. Benedict probably assumed an unarmed woman wouldn’t dare, so he didn’t even bother with the window.
But Janello? That was nothing for her.
About a minute later, the sound of shattering glass echoed from the study. The bodyguards posted outside heard the noise and burst inside, only to find the window smashed and fanelle gone.
Meanwhile, Janelle had already slid down the drainpipe and landed in the bushes, slipping away unseen.
But the Fletcher residence was enormous, and as she hurried through the grounds, she realized she had no idea where she was going. She walked with a grim expression, angrily scuffing pebbles as she went.
, of c
course, she was hopelessly lost.
Who in their right mind needed a house this huge? It was like a damn maze. And now, Janelle weaved through the busy maids, dodging left and right to stay unnoticed, until a pebble struck her back without warning. Her face went pale, and the froze mid–step
She uttered a curse. Benedict had already caught up to her? No chance she was going back with him, not when her poor Tiffany, who couldn’t even find her way out of a paper bag, was still lost out there.
Janelle wavered, unsure whether to bolt now or stall for
She poused before turning her head, her movements tense.
for a better chance, when a cold, youthful voice cut through her thoughts. “Who are you?”
The moment she did, her face lit up “Baby! What are you doing here? Did you hear Mony was here and came looking for me? Oh, my gosh, you should’ve told Hannah you were coming! She was scared half to death!”
Janelle rushed over and wrapped the child in a tight hug. In her excitement, she didn’t notice how the little one had gone stiff in her arms.
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