Chapter 5: The Search Begins
816 Words
Bennett Family Mansion
Henry lowered his head.
"Father... I've searched everywhere."
"I can't find Miriam."
"It's as if she disappeared into thin air."
Victor Bennett's face darkened.
"Impossible."
"No one simply disappears."
Henry clenched his fists.
"I've checked every property connected to her, contacted old friends, and even had people watching the airport."
"Nothing."
"There isn't a single clue."
Margaret Bennett scoffed.
"That ungrateful girl must be hiding from us."
Sitting quietly beside her, Irene lowered her head.
"Mom..."
"Maybe Sister is still angry because we sent her to Harrison Mental Care."
"Perhaps she just isn't ready to come home."
Her voice was soft and concerned.
The perfect image of a caring younger sister.
Margaret immediately took Irene's hand.
"You don't have to defend her."
"She was the one who hurt you."
"If anyone should apologize, it's that ungrateful girl."
Irene bit her lip.
"It's my fault."
"Sister has never liked me."
"Maybe..."
"I should leave."
"If I disappear, perhaps she'll finally come home."
Margaret's expression softened instantly.
"What nonsense."
"This is your home."
"If anyone is leaving the Bennett family..."
"It will be Miriam."
Irene lowered her head.
Hiding the satisfied smile forming at the corner of her lips.
"Enough."
Victor's cold voice silenced the room.
"I don't care what methods you use."
"Find Miriam."
"And bring her back."
"Yes, Father."
Henry answered immediately.
None of them noticed the calculation hidden inside Victor's eyes.
He wasn't worried about Miriam.
He was worried about the Bennett family's reputation.
If word got out that their biological daughter had been locked away in a mental institution for seven years...
The Bennett Group's reputation would suffer a devastating blow.
If they only knew...
I wasn't hiding.
They simply weren't capable of finding me.
With everything Uncle Julian had taught me over the past seven years, disappearing was child's play.
If I wanted to...
I could hide inside Henry's own bedroom for an entire month without him ever noticing.
Finding me?
Not a chance.
Unless...
I wanted to be found.
Besides...
Mom had already collected enough evidence to destroy the Bennett family.
Including the security footage from the neighboring villa.
The recording clearly showed Irene throwing herself down the stairs before framing me.
One piece of evidence...
Was enough to send their perfect little world crashing down.
But not yet.
Revenge was like fine wine.
It tasted better with patience.
For now...
I'd let them enjoy their final days of peace.
One Hour Earlier – Foster Estate
The Foster family stood at the very top of Atlantia City's business world.
Their wealth...
Their influence...
Their power...
No family could compare.
After her husband's death years ago, Hilda Foster single-handedly took control of the Foster Group and expanded it into an empire.
She was also one of Catherine Harrison's closest friends.
Their friendship dated back to their college years.
When Catherine lost her husband and nearly everything she loved, Hilda had stood firmly by her side.
From that day onward...
The two women treated each other like sisters.
Although Hilda remained the chairwoman of Foster Group, most of the company's affairs were managed by the younger generation.
Her eldest son, Xavier Foster, served as CEO.
Her nephew, Ethan Foster, held the position of Vice President.
Her younger son, Lucas Foster...
Well...
He was famous for everything except working seriously.
Despite serving as General Manager, he was better known throughout Atlantia as the city's most notorious playboy.
At that moment...
The atmosphere inside the Foster mansion was unusually heavy.
Catherine Harrison had just finished examining Xavier's medical reports.
She frowned slightly.
"Hilda..."
"I'm still wondering how Xavier managed to slip past such tight security."
"Especially in his current condition."
Hilda sighed helplessly.
"You know how capable he is."
"Even with the mind of a child..."
"He still somehow managed to fool everyone."
Before Catherine could reply—
The doors burst open.
Two tall men hurried inside.
The first wore a perfectly tailored black suit.
His gray eyes were calm and steady, carrying the maturity of someone used to making difficult decisions.
Ethan Foster.
Vice President of Foster Group.
Behind him came another equally handsome man dressed casually in jeans and a leather jacket.
His smile was charming.
His appearance carefree.
Lucas Foster.
The second young master of the Foster family.
"Mom."
Ethan's usually composed voice carried a rare hint of excitement.
"We found him."
Hilda immediately stood.
"Where is Xavier?"
Ethan looked toward her.
"We've traced his location."
"We're certain this time."
Lucas grabbed his car keys.
"Then what are we waiting for?"
"Let's bring Big Brother home."
Catherine Harrison stood as well.
"Since I'm already here..."
"I'll come with you."
"Good."
Hilda nodded firmly.
"Let's go."
Within minutes...
Several luxury cars sped out of the Foster estate.
None of them knew...
The man they had spent days desperately searching for...
Was peacefully staying inside the apartment...
Of Catherine Harrison's adopted daughter.
- Writer
