Chapter 434

Before leaving, Carly and Lucy exchanged a knowing glance. Adam and Perry stood together; Perry checked his watch. “Mr. Alvarez, Dr. C should appear any minute.”

Adam looked at Perry. “Mr. Marshall, how do you know Dr. C?”

Perry didn’t answer directly. “Mr. Alvarez, you know Dr. C, too.”

Adam frowned. Celine had said the same thing. What were Perry and Celine implying? Could Dr. C be someone he knew, someone who had been near him all along?

At that moment, the host announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you’ve all been waiting for has arrived. Please welcome… Dr. C!”

Instantly, all eyes turned to the upstairs balcony. Everyone held their breath. Adam lifted his gaze. Sonia, Tracy, and Lucy moved forward; Sonia trembled with excitement. “She’s coming! Dr. C is finally here!”

But the seconds ticked by, and nothing happened. A hushed murmur rippled through the crowd. “What’s going on? Why isn’t Dr. C coming out?” “Is she even here?” Even the host was uneasy. Dr. C was to appear precisely at this moment.

He quickly reassured the audience, “Please remain calm. I’ll check upstairs. Dr. C will be here shortly.” The host hurried up the stairs.

Tracy frowned. “Could Dr. C not be coming? We’re all here for her.”

Adam turned to Perry. “Mr. Marshall, your Dr. C certainly enjoys keeping people waiting.”

Perry found it odd, too. Celine had arrived; why hadn’t she appeared? Could something have gone wrong? He immediately headed for the stairs.

Adam was about to follow; his curiosity about Dr. C's identity only intensified with each missed encounter. But then, a soft, melodic ringtone cut through the tension. His phone rang.

He answered; Carly’s panicked voice filled his ear. “Adam, help me! Please!”

Adam gripped the phone. “Carly, what happened? Tell me clearly.”

“Adam, I… Ah!” A piercing scream, then silence.

Lucy turned to Adam. “Mr. Alvarez, what happened to Carly?”

Adam’s expression hardened. “Carly’s in trouble.”

“How? She just went to the restroom. We must check immediately!”

Lucy rushed to the women’s restroom. It was a mess; signs of a struggle were everywhere. Carly’s phone lay shattered.

Lucy picked up the broken phone, handing it to Adam. “Mr. Alvarez, look! Do you think she was kidnapped?”

Sonia and Tracy arrived. Sonia paled. “Who would kidnap Carly? Her heart condition is fragile; she can’t handle this stress!”

Tracy urged Adam, “Mr. Alvarez, you must do something! We have to save Carly!”

Adam stared at the broken phone, his face like ice. Then, the soft, melodic ringtone chimed again. Another call.