This sparked a thought in Alexander. She was right. If Edward survived and escaped, he would attempt to return to Kingsland. He had his methods; after all, Edward had followed him through countless predicaments. He was agile and intelligent enough to find his way home.

Alexander had become preoccupied. He’d been so focused on his overseas search that he’d neglected the possibility of Edward's return to Kingsland. Could the illness have affected his mental state?

"You're right!" Alexander's spirits lifted. "I'll have someone look for him here immediately!"

Although the search area was vast, the Russells were well-connected, their influence extending throughout the country. Finding someone locally seemed easier than he'd anticipated.

"Okay," Lily nodded. She'd harbored a persistent, unshakeable feeling that Edward was still alive. It wasn't wishful thinking; it was a strong intuition.

Her phone vibrated incessantly in her pocket; she'd silenced it upon arrival. Seeing Olivia's name, she glanced at Alexander before answering.

"Hello, Olivia?" The basement signal was weak, so she moved toward the stairs.

"Lily, where are you?" Olivia asked. "I went to your house, but you weren't there. They said you've been gone for two days."

"Something urgent came up. What's wrong?" Lily lowered her voice, asking calmly.

"Did you go see Mr. Russell?" Olivia asked unexpectedly.

Lily hesitated. She didn't want to lie, but she couldn't explain the situation. She evaded the question: "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Olivia replied after a pause, as if taking a deep breath.

Lily was surprised by her calm demeanor. She'd expected tears and distress, not this unsettling composure.

Lily offered comfort, "Olivia, stop worrying. Edward will be fine. We just need to wait for good news. I believe there will be." This was as much for Olivia as for herself.

"I know," Olivia replied lightly.

To Lily's astonishment, Olivia seemed completely at ease. Just as Lily was about to speak, Olivia said, "By the way, did you hear about the lab?"

"The lab?" Lily glanced at Alexander, engrossed in his computer. "What happened?"

"The police searched it. Someone went missing—I think it was that... Austin guy who was at the studio. His parents called the police." Olivia couldn't quite recall his name, only the man jumping at the studio door earlier.

Lily breathed a sigh of relief. "What happened after that?"

"They didn't find anyone," Olivia replied. "They searched everywhere, checked all the surveillance tapes."

"Including the basement and upper offices?" Lily asked, surprised that the police had searched those areas.

"Yes. His parents are influential; they pressured the police. They used K9 units, checked everything thoroughly. They concluded the lab wasn't involved."

Lily was speechless.