Chapter 2009: Abducted

At five in the evening, Madilyn finished work and descended the stairs, feeling exhausted. Jonathan awaited her, a bouquet of roses in hand. His hurried approach filled her with warmth, melting away her fatigue.

"Dr. Xander, Mr. Queen! You're a couple? Wonderful! You're a perfect match!"

"Congratulations, Dr. Xander! Your wish has come true. Mr. Queen proved himself capable, quite manly, in helping us solve our crisis."

"Wow! Dr. Xander and Mr. Queen? Congratulations, lovebirds! When's the wedding?"

Smiling medical staff, leaving work, greeted them with well-wishes and blessings. Unfazed by the attention, Madilyn took Jonathan's hand, a joyful smile on her lips.

"Let's pick up Mother. We'll have a delicious dinner," Jonathan said, having already reserved a table. He opened the car door for her, a true gentleman.

Holding the roses, Madilyn felt overwhelming happiness. Before he started the engine, she exclaimed, "Come closer!"

Confused, Jonathan obliged, thinking something was wrong with the roses. She kissed his cheek, leaving a faint pink mark.

Taken aback, Jonathan quickly recovered, scratching his head with a silly grin. Madilyn's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"Let's go home and get Mom!" she urged.

Jonathan nodded, started the engine, and drove off. They soon arrived at Madilyn's neighborhood. From a distance, Jonathan noticed the gates stood wide open, a flash of confusion crossing his face.

He sped into the courtyard, a sense of foreboding growing. Getting out of the car, he looked around, but Lorraine was nowhere to be seen.

"Madam Xander? Madam Xander!" he called. He noticed an overturned flowerpot. Madilyn, still unaware, called out, "Mom? Mom! Didn't I ask you to get ready? Are you deciding what to wear again?" (Lorraine had previously spent considerable time choosing an outfit for dinner.)

"Maddy, go upstairs and see what's going on!" Jonathan said, his brows furrowed, noticing peculiar dents in the ground, seemingly made by a walking stick.

Noticing his grave expression, Madilyn hurried upstairs.

They searched the house thoroughly, inside and out, but Lorraine was gone. Shock hit Madilyn. She tried calling Lorraine's phone, but it was still in the living room.

"What happened?" she cried, flustered.

Jonathan remained calm. The mansion, situated in the city with abundant surveillance, was rarely targeted by thieves. He noticed no valuable items were missing; Lorraine's purse remained on the living room coffee table. They ruled out robbery. He decided to check the surveillance footage on the third floor.

Madilyn followed. The footage showed Lorraine arguing with Mildred, after which Norton's bodyguards forcibly took her away.

Madilyn froze. Then, her fury erupted. Her chest heaved as she gasped, "It's that bastard! How dare he abduct my mother? Damn it!"