Chapter 213

"You had no idea?" Audrey's perfectly arched eyebrows shot up as she studied Isabella with growing bewilderment. "Then what made you go searching for him at Blackwood Group?"

Isabella's fingers twisted nervously around her purse strap. "When Vivian got into trouble back in Emberglow County, Mr. Blackwood appeared at the hospital too. I just assumed they were..."

She hesitated, biting her lower lip. "Casual acquaintances."

Dominic didn't have time to marvel at the tangled web of connections. His voice turned urgent. "This is critical. We need to locate Adrian immediately!"

Audrey let out a derisive snort, tossing her caramel highlights over one shoulder. "Isabella just tried contacting him and got booted out because of his precious 'true love'! He's clearly waiting for Vivian to disappear so that snake Serena can take her place!"

Dominic shook his head vehemently. "That doesn't make sense! If Adrian really wanted that, he would've signed those divorce papers without hesitation. Why prolong things?"

"Oh please," Audrey rolled her emerald green eyes dramatically. "Then explain why Isabella got thrown out of Blackwood Group headquarters?"

"There must be some misunderstanding," Dominic insisted, already pulling out his phone with trembling fingers. "Adrian, it's about Vivian—"

The icy voice that answered could've frozen lava. "Since when do you involve yourself in her business?"

Before Dominic could stutter a response, Serena's saccharine voice floated through the line. "Dominic was just sharing some juicy industry gossip."

Seizing the lifeline, Dominic nodded vigorously. "Exactly! It's about Vivian, she's—"

Adrian's voice turned lethal. "If she's so resourceful, why involve me? Don't bring her problems to me again." The line went dead with finality.

Every word echoed through the car's premium sound system, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Audrey crossed her arms, her manicured nails tapping impatiently against her leather seat. "Well? Are you helping or should I drop you at the nearest curb?"

"Of course I'm helping!" Dominic ran a frustrated hand through his tousled brown hair, still reeling from Adrian's callous dismissal.

He straightened suddenly, determination hardening his features. "We're going to the police station. Now."

At the precinct, they recounted Vivian's disappearance to a weary-looking officer.

The cop glanced at his watch before scribbling halfheartedly. "It's barely been six hours. Without concrete evidence of foul play, she probably just turned her phone off. Go home, wait for contact, and if you get a ransom demand, we'll take it from there."

The outcome was precisely what Harrison had predicted.