Chapter 869

Arianna instinctively moved her phone away from her ear, as if Nathaniel's sniffling were somehow contagious. After waiting for him to finish, she said, "Could you please come to the office? I need to discuss something important."

"What's the emergency?" Nathaniel sneezed, then asked, "I saw the news—aren't you getting married soon? Congratulations! Is this about the wedding?"

"This isn't about my wedding," Arianna frowned. "It's about Damian."

"Didn't he just turn himself in?" Nathaniel replied. "Everyone knows about the perfume incident; the Tanner Corporation made sure of that. Everyone's waiting for the court's decision."

"Yes, but don't you find it strange?" Arianna's brow furrowed. "He disappeared for days, then suddenly surrendered. It doesn't feel right. He'd confront me directly, not the police."

"Maybe he had an epiphany and decided not to compete for the position anymore," Nathaniel remarked dryly.

"Please be serious," Arianna said, her patience wearing thin. "If we don't find out who's behind this, we could lose everything. We need to prepare a counterattack!" She paused. "Do you think it's my uncle?"

"Your uncle? Derrick? He's in the hospital! How could he orchestrate this?" Nathaniel asked, confused.

Arianna was also doubtful, but it was the only explanation she could think of. Derrick was ill, but not unconscious. He'd managed to have his lawyer prepare his will; what would stop him from manipulating Damian? And he had Stephanie. Arianna knew what his seemingly gentle wife was capable of.

Although she'd stationed guards outside Derrick's room for the past two days to prevent Damian's entry, she didn't know what Damian had been doing during his disappearance. He might have slipped into the hospital to see Derrick. The possibility remained.

Since Benedict's death, Derrick and Stephanie's health had deteriorated, creating a need for a successor to the Tanner Corporation. They wouldn't allow an outsider; only Arianna, Joseph, and Damian were candidates.

If Derrick shared Joseph's ambition—or wanted Arianna out of the picture—Damian would be the perfect pawn. A shiver ran down Arianna's spine. If Derrick truly wanted her gone, she was in grave danger.

"Stop staying home! This is crucial! I need you at the office, and I'm going to the hospital!" She hung up.

Arianna left her office and called Eloise. "Mom, I'm going to the hospital to check on Uncle Derrick. Where are you? Let's meet there."

Arriving at the hospital, Arianna found Derrick's room empty. The entire floor was deserted. Even worse, her guards had vanished along with her aunt. They had disappeared without a trace.