Chapter 284

Thea ignored the turmoil in Aiden's eyes. Her work was done; now came personal matters. Leaving the venue, contract in hand, she spotted her Porsche. "It's done!" she exclaimed, eager to share her triumph with Nicolas.

He rarely saw her so elated. "This time, you're on your own," he said, genuinely pleased. "Thea, you exceeded my expectations."

Thea raised her chin. "And that's the woman beside Mr. Hendrix," she murmured, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

Before she could avert her gaze, Nicolas gently cupped her face. "You're the best." A compliment rarely forthcoming from him.

Earlier, Thea and Nicolas had discussed moving. His eagerness was evident; he clearly wanted to proceed. However, Thea preferred to discuss it with Joyce first. Their apartment wasn't large. Finding Joyce absent, she knocked on Jamie's door on the eighteenth floor.

Jamie opened the door, looking stunned. He wasn't close to Thea, and she usually respected boundaries. Though their relationship remained unconfirmed, Thea wouldn't normally seek him out directly. "Is Joyce with you?" she asked.

Peering inside, she saw a simple, clean, bright apartment—typical Jamie. But Joyce was nowhere in sight.

Jamie was confused. "She hasn't left her room today. Is she missing?"

Joyce, unfamiliar with Silvercreek, had stayed with Thea mainly to avoid her family. She was not a social butterfly; why would she go out alone? Thea panicked.

Nicolas, ever calm, reassured her. "Maybe she's just out for dinner. Try calling her again."

Thea's hands trembled as she dialed. The call went unanswered.

Jamie, recognizing the gravity of the situation, his cheerful demeanor replaced by solemnity, said, "I'll do everything I can to find her."

Thea, legs weak, nodded. "Thank you. Don't worry, I won't sit idle." She immediately contacted Joyce's mutual friends. They hadn't known each other long, but their bond was strong. If Joyce left, she would have contacted Thea.

"It's my duty…" Jamie began, "And I want Joyce to be safe."

Jamie accompanied them to the police station. Only Nicolas remained composed. Jamie, using his authority, accessed security footage. It showed a group of men in black forcing their way into Joyce's apartment, binding her, and abducting her. Thea recognized their leader instantly: Kelly.

"She's Joyce's mother. What does she want?" Thea saw tears in Joyce's eyes in the footage, her own heart twisting with pain.

Nicolas handed her a phone. "Look at this. It might help."

It was a photoshopped image of Joyce and Corey, adorned with pink hearts and bubbles. The headline proclaimed a "perfect match" between the Maddox and Xander families.

Thea gasped. "Joyce wouldn't do this. They're forcing her!" She looked at Jamie, who, despite his youthful appearance, displayed remarkable focus and seriousness. "Are you sure? She doesn't want this, right?" he asked.

Corey's haste stemmed partly from hatred—revenge against Thea for implicating Joyce. "As long as she's unwilling, I have to save her," Jamie declared resolutely.

Thea was touched by her friend's loyalty and Jamie's unwavering resolve. She wouldn't let Joyce marry someone she didn't love. Nicolas drove them to Bangolware. "Thea, have a nap," he urged.

Thea, tense and exhausted, couldn't rest. A demanding day followed by her best friend's abduction—yet she persevered.

Nicolas's gentle words, "You have me, rest easy… Mr. Maddox and I are friends. He'll listen to me," finally calmed her enough to close her eyes.

Jamie sat silently, his determination hardening. He remembered Joyce, emerging from the balcony in bedsheets, her disheveled yet vibrant face capturing his heart. Before he could confess, he learned of her impending marriage. The journey to Bangolware was agonizing. He wouldn't let it happen.

Their car arrived at the Maddox estate. Thea awoke.

"Jamie, wait in the car. We need to assess the situation before acting," Thea instructed, fearing Jamie's presence might aggravate Kelly. Joyce was their hostage; a direct confrontation was unwise.

Nicolas opened the car door, taking Thea's hand. "With me, nothing will happen." His presence was always reassuring.

Inside, Kelly and Lily waited, laughing. Joyce was nowhere to be seen. The intimacy between mother and daughter—a stark contrast to Kelly's scheming behavior towards Joyce—saddened Thea.

"Mrs. Maddox," Thea said coldly, "I'm here to take Joyce home."

Kelly's smile vanished. Seeing Nicolas, she forced a smile. "This is Joyce's home. Where do you think you're taking her? She's staying here until the wedding. I won't allow her to run around with scoundrels. A mother's duty, wouldn't you say?"