Chapter 283: The Search

Maggie lost consciousness. The man swiftly hoisted her onto his shoulder and carried her to a secluded restroom in the corner. A ceiling panel was already removed. He stepped onto the toilet seat, passed Maggie into waiting hands—every move swift and practiced, as if rehearsed countless times. Meanwhile, Nathael waited in the dimly lit corridor for her return. After ten minutes, he checked his watch, growing increasingly restless.

He lit a cigarette and waited, his restlessness growing. Five more minutes passed without a sign of Maggie. A crease formed between his brows. He called her.

The phone rang unanswered.

Unease gnawed at him, intensifying with each passing moment. Realizing Maggie had been gone too long and the restroom showed no signs of activity, Nathael's demeanor changed.

He extinguished his cigarette and stormed into the restroom, calling out, "Maggie?"

To his dismay, it was empty. His expression turned grim as he forcefully opened several partially closed doors, finding no trace of her.

His eyes narrowed. "Lock down the entire venue! Scrutinize everyone entering and exiting!" Ice-cold fury filled his eyes. He immediately called Nolan.

Recognizing the urgency, Nolan swiftly mobilized his team. The university's piano competition was a high-profile event, and other programs were happening nearby. Securing the area amidst the dense, chaotic crowd posed a significant challenge. "Bring in the military; frame it as a routine security check," Nathael instructed.

While still on the call, he directed Nolan to search the restroom thoroughly. "People don't just vanish from a restroom in ten minutes!"

"Have Henry watch all the conference hall exits. Extend the search beyond the venue, focusing on vehicles and suspicious individuals from three to twelve minutes ago."

"Understood, Mr. Harris."

Nathael's gaze fell to the vanity. A conch pearl earring lay there. His lips tightened as he picked it up, his finger tracing the pearl's surface. His expression grew grimmer; a storm of fury threatened to erupt. He had specially bought it for her that day.

He forced himself to remain calm, clenching the earring so tightly that the post pierced his skin, drawing blood. He seemed oblivious to the pain.

Nolan spoke. "Mr. Harris." He stepped aside as Nathael's piercing gaze fell on him.

Someone had tampered with the ceiling of the furthest cubicle. Nolan had already sent someone to check where it led. Someone had clearly taken Maggie.

Minutes later, Nolan's phone rang. After the call, he reported, "The passage leads to a restroom in an upstairs conference room. There are signs of tampering with a window, and marks outside; no fingerprints."

Nathael's eyes were as dark as night, his face like frost, a hidden bloodlust flickering within. His aura was so intense it felt like a storm was brewing. No one dared speak.

"Find her, even if you have to turn this place upside down!"

"Yes, Mr. Harris."

Maggie awoke on a soft, expansive bed, unbound. The reflection of a stranger's face—a mixed-race man—was unfamiliar.

Who could have abducted me this time?

She scanned the room for clues, considering potential suspects.

It couldn't be Vanessa; there was no recent conflict warranting a kidnapping, nor did she have the resources to hire mercenaries. Sierra? Unlikely. They'd just met. Beth? Joseph? Both had the means, but Joseph lacked motive, while Beth had recently quarreled with her. But why such an elaborate scheme?

Approaching the window, Maggie looked out. Nestled in the mountains, the villa was surrounded by lush greenery. Elite foreign mercenaries patrolled the area—few in number, but lethal. Maggie's heart sank.

It seemed unlikely to be Beth; she was more inclined to inflict misery than provide lavish treatment. Beth, with her animosity and envy, would drag Maggie through the mud.

The refined ambiance of the room—the comfort, the cleanliness—didn't match a vengeful kidnapper.

With Beth ruled out, Maggie considered another suspect. Her heart sank further as she searched for her phone. Nathael must be frantic. The abductor wouldn't leave the phone. Her purse, containing Nathael's birthday gift, was also gone.

As Maggie considered escaping through the window, the door opened.

"Maggie, I'm glad you're awake," Timothy said warmly, his usual harmless demeanor intact.

Maggie's spirits plummeted. It was Timothy! But he seemed different. He wore a perfectly tailored black shirt, a ruby adorning the top button. The shirt accentuated his pale complexion, the ruby adding a touch of darkness to his usually benign appearance. His tall, lean figure seemed somber.

"Where are we?" Maggie asked.

Timothy dropped the pretense. A smile touched his lips. "We're in Alosea."

Maggie was speechless. He hadn't just rendered her unconscious; he'd transported her to another city. Alosea was a little over an hour from Aquapolis by plane, but the distance didn't lessen the severity of her abduction. Timothy was skilled; no wonder Nathael was wary of their interactions.