Phoebe had been missing for a week, and despite Theodore’s exhaustive efforts, he couldn’t find her. She either hid well or something bad happened, and Theodore feared the worst. Ruby was worried Vanessa might have already found someone to harm Phoebe.

“If I could predict the future, I would’ve had someone waiting to kill her the moment she was alone,” Vanessa said, wiping her neck.

That day in the hospital lobby, she deliberately provoked Phoebe. If Phoebe had stayed indifferent despite losing the company and the engagement ring, Vanessa would’ve respected her toughness. But Phoebe had desires and cared about things, proving she wasn’t invincible.

Ruby quietly sighed in relief.

“Vanessa, don’t do anything rash. We live in a society with laws, and murder is illegal,” Ruby advised. “We don’t need to stress over Phoebe.”

Vanessa glanced at her and asked, “Ruby, what’s up with you lately? Didn’t you used to wish Phoebe would disappear?”

Ruby was taken aback, worried Vanessa might notice something. She said, “Yes, I do wish she’d disappear, but I don’t want you to ruin your future over her.”

Vanessa squinted at Ruby for a long time until Ruby felt uncomfortable. Then, she looked away and said, “Of course, I won’t. Even though I want Phoebe dead, I wouldn’t do it myself.” ‘Who wouldn’t use someone else’s hand to kill?’

Ruby’s heart, which had settled, was on edge again. She called, “Vanessa.”

“Look at you, so scared your face is pale. I’m joking. Don’t worry. I don’t hate her enough to want her dead,” Vanessa said, waving her hand.

Ruby felt uneasy. Ever since their falling out and reconciliation, Vanessa had become harder to read, more unpredictable.

Taylor hadn’t seen Phoebe at the hospital for days. Feeling a bit better, and with Theodore visiting, she said, “Take me out for a walk. Staying in the ward every day is driving me crazy.” Theodore nodded, brought a down jacket for Taylor, zipped it up, and wrapped a scarf around her before they went out.

Taylor laughed, “When did you become so considerate? By the way, where’s Phoebe? Has she been busy? She hasn’t visited me for days.”

Theodore pressed his lips together and pushed the wheelchair out the door.

Taylor didn’t hear his answer. She turned to see Theodore’s cold expression and frowned, “Did you have another fight?”

Theodore replied, “Mom, Phoebe is missing.”

“What?” Taylor was shocked. “When did this happen?”

Theodore licked his lips, his voice hoarse, “It’s been several days. No one can reach her. Mom, I can’t find her.”

Taylor’s heart ached, and she quickly comforted Theodore, “Theodore, don’t worry. She might have gone out to clear her mind. Once she figures things out, she’ll come back.” Theodore closed his eyes, “She won’t come back.”

Phoebe left decisively without contacting anyone, making it clear she didn’t want him to find her. Phoebe hated him, avoiding him like the plague.

Taylor opened her mouth, and after a long while, she found her voice, “How could that be? She’s your wife. If she doesn’t come back, where else would she go? Don’t talk nonsense.” Theodore couldn’t answer. He had no idea where Phoebe would go. In over three years of marriage, he realized he never truly understood her.

He knew her family and close friends, but beyond that, he was clueless about where she’d go when upset.

“Mom, do you know where she might go?” Theodore’s voice trembled, as if Taylor was his last hope.

“Let me think. Don’t worry.” Taylor racked her brain, but Phoebe had always kept to herself.

When Phoebe was with the Reynolds family, she stayed on the periphery, never really integrating, as if always ready to leave.

Phoebe rarely talked about herself; she would just quietly listen.

Taylor suddenly remembered Phoebe mentioning her childhood a few times.

“I remember now. She said that during summer vacations, Evelyn would send her to her grandparents’ house. After her grandparents passed away, she never went back. Do you think she might have gone there?” Taylor asked. Theodore’s eyes lit up. “I know where to find her.”

Taylor looked back in surprise, only to see Theodore leaning in to hug her. He said, “Mom, thank you. I’ll bring her back.”

Before Taylor could feel the warmth of the hug, Theodore had already let go, leaving her with a sense of loss.

Since Theodore started elementary school, he had acted like an adult, refusing kisses and hugs. Now, being hugged so suddenly, her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Taylor reminded, “Yes, bring her back and treat her well. Don’t lose her again.”

Theodore was overjoyed, eager to fly to Phoebe and hold her in his arms. He wouldn’t let her leave him again, even if he had to lock her up!

Not far behind, Vanessa sat in a wheelchair, listening to Theodore and Taylor’s conversation. She was so angry she almost ground her teeth to dust. Vanessa turned and quietly left. Back in her ward, she retrieved Edward’s number from the blocklist and called him.

After a while, the call connected, and Edward’s indifferent voice came through, “Miss Fitzroy, I told you not to call me again. I won’t conspire with you.” Vanessa’s laugh was sharp. She asked, “Mr. Vanderbilt, don’t you want to know where Phoebe is? You’ve already lost to Theodore. Don’t you want to find her before he does?” Edward knew Phoebe was missing. Theodore’s actions were so noticeable that it was hard to keep them from everyone in Kedora.

Edward asked, “How do you know?”

“It doesn’t matter. Find her before Theodore does.” Vanessa paused. “She went to her grandparents’ old house. There’s no need to thank…” Before she could finish, Edward had already ended the call, almost making Vanessa faint with anger. She gripped her phone tightly. ‘Edward, don’t let me down!’ she thought.

Edward ended the call and immediately grabbed his coat and car keys, heading downstairs. The whole family was in the living room. Delilah Hill saw him wearing his coat and looking hurried and quickly called out to him, “Edward, are you going out this late?” Edward didn’t stop and walked straight to the door.

Delilah was ignored again, and she was furious. She asked, “Edward, didn’t you hear me? How long are you going to keep ignoring me?”

Edward paused, turned around, and looked at Delilah coldly. He replied, “When you stop sending women to my bed, I’ll start acknowledging you.”

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