Chapter 212

The rain lashed against the windshield as Audrey narrowed her eyes, processing Isabella's words. "If what you're suggesting is true, this goes beyond some obsessed fan - this could be payback from enemies Vivian made in Emberglow County!"

With renewed determination, Audrey stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray. Family ties would have to be mended, no matter how painful. Saving Vivian was all that mattered now.

Her fingers had just curled around the gearshift when movement caught her eye through the rain-streaked window. A familiar figure emerged from the downpour.

Dominic had barely walked two blocks when the skies opened up. Cursing his luck, he made a dash for the nearest Blackwood Group building's awning.

"Dominic!" The shout cut through the pounding rain. He spun around, searching for the source. The voice came again, more insistent this time.

Following the sound, his gaze landed on a navy sedan with its window rolled down. Audrey waved frantically from the driver's seat.

Without thinking, he sprinted toward the car, noting the front passenger seat was already occupied. He yanked open the back door and slid inside, dripping onto the leather seats.

Audrey - the woman his cousin never stopped praising for helping her settle abroad. They'd met at that awkward thank-you dinner his cousin insisted on throwing, where he'd been roped into footing the bill. That night had sparked an easy friendship, complete with exchanged contacts.

"Here." Audrey tossed him a plush towel from the glove compartment. The fabric carried her distinctive jasmine perfume as he rubbed it over his soaked hair.

With his trademark smirk, he asked, "Fancy meeting you here. Since my car's in the shop, mind playing chauffeur?" His tone turned serious when he noticed her expression. "What's wrong?"

"No time for jokes! My friend's in serious trouble - we're heading to the precinct now!" Audrey's usual playful demeanor had vanished, replaced by urgent intensity as she explained the situation.

She laid out the terrifying details about Vivian's disappearance with military precision.

Though Isabella didn't know Dominic, the panic in Audrey's voice had her chiming in: "Every second counts! Vivian could be in real danger!"

Vivian... Working with Sebastian on a film...

The pieces clicked together with terrifying clarity. It couldn't be a coincidence.

"What?" Dominic went rigid, his hands freezing mid-motion. His eyes widened as he turned slowly to Audrey, clinging to one last shred of hope. "Did you say Vivian?"

"Yes, Vivian Hartley!" Audrey gestured wildly toward the Blackwood Group skyscraper visible through the rain. "Wife of that ice-cold Adrian Blackwood from the infamous Blackwood family. Don't your families run in the same circles? How could you not know he got married?"

Isabella's jaw dropped even further than Dominic's. "Wait - Adrian Blackwood is married to Vivian?" Her voice cracked with disbelief.