Chapter 248

Thea was surprised by Emmalie's audacity. Despite the heavy traffic, Emmalie attacked her in public.

"What do you want?" Thea began, but before she could finish, a forceful blow struck from behind. A hand clamped a fragrant handkerchief over Thea's mouth and nose, instantly causing dizziness. She heard a laugh near her ear. "Miss Rowland, leave her to me. Rest assured; Aiden and April have disabled all surveillance cameras along the route. Even if Nicolas intervenes, he can't save her."

Madelyn kicked over Thea's chair. They treated Thea like a rag doll.

Emmalie, usually charming and obedient, was now ferocious and terrifying. "Remember to clean up," she hissed. "Nicolas likes Thea. If he finds any clues, we're finished."

Madelyn nodded. "Miss Rowland, don't forget your promise! I want Thea dead, and I want my life back." She dragged Thea toward the car trunk.

Even unconscious, Thea maintained a proud demeanor. Madelyn's eyes burned with hatred. "What right do you have to enjoy everything I dreamed of? You even dared criticize me! I don't just want you dead; I want to strip you and expose you to the world!"

Thea, nearly unconscious, could barely lift her heavy eyelids. The pain of the rough surface against her skin didn't rouse her, but her eyes remained fixed on Madelyn's face. Though unfamiliar, it overlapped with a dark memory.

"It's you" she whispered.

Joyce waited at the hotel until 10:00 p.m., but Thea hadn't returned. Normally, Thea, no matter how busy, watched the livestream with Joyce every night, even wiping away her drool. Joyce sensed something was wrong. Countless unanswered calls fueled her worry. With her father swayed by Kelly, no one would help find Thea. Joyce could only turn to Nicolas, but lacked his contact information. Remembering Thea's address in Silvercreek, Joyce waited at the gate for three hours.

Chapter 248

Nicolas emerged from the Maybach, accompanied by Stephanie and Oliver. Their apparent happiness contrasted sharply with Joyce's burning anger. Ignoring social niceties, she confronted him. "Mr. Hendrix, you're still married to Thea! She's in danger, and you're here, enjoying yourselves? How shameless! Believing your lies was Thea's and my biggest mistake."

Nicolas cut her off. His brow furrowed. "Thea is missing?"

Stephanie panicked. "Nicolas, you promised Oliver you'd help him bathe. He's excited."

Oliver whined, "Dad, forget that bad woman! You're always busy can't you spend time with me?"

For the first time, Nicolas ignored Oliver's plea. "Miss Maddox," he asked, "when did you last contact Thea? Anything unusual?"

The police wouldn't investigate until after 48 hours. This was Joyce's first glimpse of Nicolas's power. He commanded the police station as if he owned it. Surveillance footage sped across the large screen. While Joyce was overwhelmed, Nicolas instantly spotted his target.

"Zoom in!" he ordered.

The footage showed signs of tampering, yet Nicolas immediately recognized Madelyn's face, even on the tiny screen.

"She learned to alter her appearance? Impressive," he murmured, a chilling half-smile playing on his lips. The room's temperature seemed to plummet; even the staff trembled. Darwin sensed things were escalating; Nicolas's half-smile was far scarier than his stern face.

"Track down that train," he commanded.

The drug's effects faded, leaving Thea weak and bound with hemp rope. Red welts marked her wrists.

"Madelyn," Thea said, "I've always wondered how you endured being with Jake It's because of me. Amelia Collins, long time no see."

Thea remained calm; Amelia's face was cold. Thea's faint smile belied her situation. Amelia, seeing this in the rearview mirror, slammed on the brakes. She stormed to Thea, slapping her hard across the face.

"Casual greeting? Do you know what I've endured because of you? My only family died because of you! I can't even use my real name! Today, you pay in blood!"

The pain jolted Thea back to reality. "Because of me? I've done nothing to you! Why blame me?"

Amelia's hatred seemed genuine. Thea was confused. "I helped you in high school; you were bullied, and I felt sorry for you. Why do this?"

High school was a dark memory Thea preferred to forget – a time when she learned how cruel the world could be.

"I should hate you, Amelia! How dare you yell at me?"

Amelia, consumed by rage, wrapped her hands around Thea's neck. A suffocating pressure enveloped Thea.

"Your arrogance is what I hate most! I want you dead!"