Chapter 6
Benedict moved closer and crouched before Tiffany, keeping his voice calm. “I promise to find your mom, but you’ve got to promise me something, too.
No more tantrums.”
Tiffany pressed her lips together, scowling as she sank deeper into the corner. “I don’t believe you. You’re a bad guy, and bad guys always lie!!!
Janelle had warned her not to fall for a lidnapper’s nice words. It was all just a trick to mess with her head.
Benedict’s chest tightened with restrained anger. He narrowed his eyes at Tiffany, his voice low and edged with warning when he said, “I’ve already gone easy on you. Don’t push me.
Fear shot through Tiffany in an instant. “I–I’m sorry! I know I was wrong! I’ll behave–no crying and no tantrums! I believe you’ll help me find my mom
Benedict was terrifying, and she couldn’t hold out any longer. But her surrender was just an act.
den faster than anyone
After all, Janelle was a genius hacker who effortlessly racked up awards. If Tiffany could survive this, Janelle would track her down t expected.
“There we go. That’s better.” Benedict’s expression softened as Tiffany finally settled down. He reached out and ruffled her hair, offering silent reassurance, But the weight in his chest only grew.
Murphy had always lived with severe autism. Most days, he barely managed to say a few words, but now, he just wouldn’t stop talking. It felt unsettling. Benedict looked at the tense Tiffany before him, his expression soft. “I could get you some new toys today. What would you like?”
Tittany blinked up at him, her big eyes wide with surprise. She hadn’t expected that.
After a brief pause, she asked hesitantly, “Can I have snacks instead? I want fries, custard tarts, hot dogs, chicken skewers, chips, glazed donuts, and ice- cream!
Benedict’s face fell. “Junk food isn’t good for you. Someone’s bringing you a real meal soon.”
Tiffany felt a twinge of disappointment. But after a moment, she perked up again. “Then, what about dolls? I want a Princess Alyssa doll with all her dresses! Oh, and the storybook, too! And someone to read it to me!”
Playing with a doll while listening to a story? Tiffany decided that being kidnapped might not be so bad after all. She happily got lost in the idea, not noticing that Benedict had already hit his breaking point.
To him, it was obvious that she was just trying to annoy him on purpose.
Benedict’s frown deepened, his face as cold as a sharpened blade. “No. You’re not leaving this room if you keep talking nonsense!”
Tiffany’s expression darkened the moment he refused. Her eyes flashed with anger. Since when was she spouting nonsense?
“You jerk! I knew you were lying to me! You never planned to buy me a toy. You’re awful—a total monster! You’re unbelievable! Ethan watched them face off from the sidelines, breaking into a cold sweat.
Murphy had only
ly been gone for a short while. How did he suddenly know the names of so many junk foods? And now, he was into dolls? The kind girls loved? Was he possessed or what?
Concerned, Ethan shot a wary glance at Benedict. Just as he’d feared, Benedict wasn’t just displeased. He was furious, his face darkening and his jaw clenching as he struggled to hold back his anger.
“Get the word out–Murph stays under close guard. Another escape, and you know what’ll happen.”
Ethan dipped his head. “Understood, Mr. Fletcher. We’ll keep Murph under close watch.”
Benedict turned and strode off.
Tiffany’s furious shouts still echoed through the r room, relentless.
Downstairs in the living room, a bodyguard stood frozen, too nervous to wipe the sweat trickling down his face. His anxiety only got worse when Benedict came downstairs.
“M–Mr. Fletcher…he stammered. “Ms. Moore She’s gonel”
Benedict shot him an icy glare.
The bodyguard shuddered. He was so scared that he wanted to bury his face in the ground. “It’s just… Ms. Moore had to have had training. After we heard the window break, we rushed downstairs to look for her. But she was gone, like she just disappeared into thin air.”
Jumping from the window? His study was on the fourth floor. Apparently, she was more capable than he’d thought.
Benedict kopt the cold gleam in his eyes hidden as he ordered, “Send someone after her. I want her back as soon as possible.”
Unless she’d vanished from Valoria entirely, she wouldn’t escape him.
The bodyguard nodded and left, leaving Benedict to withdraw into his study.
He lit a cigarette inside and studied the shattered window across the room, his eyes narrowed in thought. He stayed still until Ethan pushed the door open and walked in
Cluster f
“Mr. Fletcher, we’ve taken care of things with Murphy. He won’t be sneaking off again.”
Benedict said nothing, and Ethan was too afraid to move. The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating, until Benedict stubbed out his cigarette His words came out deco and quiet. “Have you found the woman from that night tive years ago?”
