Maeve was finally discharged from the hospital after a two-day stay. Alexis visited again, still seeking Maeve's help with the previous matter, but her attitude remained unchanged. Gilbert would eventually learn of Maeve and Byron's divorce. Lying to him now held unknown consequences, especially considering Lynn and Byron's child. If Gilbert were angry with Byron, he would likely calm down for the child's sake and accept Lynn.
Maeve again refused Alexis, packed her belongings, and left the sanatorium. It was Friday, and Theo's school let out at noon. Maeve took a taxi to pick him up. As the taxi drove downtown, Maeve put down her phone and looked out the window. A passing car revealed an unconscious child in the backseat—Theo!
Maeve's heart sank. She urgently told the driver, "Sir, please follow the black car ahead. My son appears to have been kidnapped!" Recent news reports of kindergarten child abductions had been frequent, but Maeve never expected Islaton Private International Kindergarten's security to be compromised. The driver, seemingly inspired by chase movies, declared, "Don't worry. I've been driving for over thirty years. No one escapes me. Sit tight!" He then accelerated.
He completely disregarded the fact that they were in the downtown area. Maeve gripped her seat, her heart pounding, eyes fixed on the black car, teeth biting her lip until it turned blue. The black car proceeded into increasingly desolate areas. After another half hour, it stopped before a building. The taxi parked a short distance away to avoid detection.
Maeve instructed the driver to call the police, then followed the car. She overheard the kidnappers:
"Getting the kid out of that well-guarded manor was tough. You guys need to hurry." "Boss, Mr. McDaniel isn't coming after us, is he?" "What are you afraid of? Doesn't someone in the McDaniel family want us to get rid of the kid? Wealthy families have their secrets. Let's not overthink it."
Crouching behind reeds, Maeve's eyes widened. Someone in the McDaniel family kidnapped Theo? How is this possible? How do they know Canzi's identity? she thought. Before she could process this, the men carried "Theo" from the car toward the building. Maeve anxiously watched, afraid to alert them, and could only wait.
Soon, the men emerged and returned to the car.
"How long will the medicine last?" the scar-faced leader asked. "Boss, six hours—enough to get him out of the province." "Alright, let's go."
The black car sped away. Maeve rushed to the building and read the sign: Sunshine Welfare Institute. They're going to sell Theo; this is a transit point! Damn bastards! she thought, her eyes hardening.
Fortunately, the police, alerted by the driver, arrived and sealed off the Institute. Besides Theo, over ten unconscious children were found inside, several in expensive clothing, indicating wealthy families. The dean and teachers were arrested. Other children were rescued, and the police contacted their parents. Seeing Theo unconscious in the courtyard, Maeve's eyes welled up. She held him close, her fear nearly overwhelming.
Will stirred, smelling a familiar scent. "Mom," he murmured, then fell back asleep. Maeve's heart ached. "It's all my fault for not protecting you well. I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she choked out. I should have picked him up earlier, she thought.
The kidnapping's malicious nature and connection to the Institute's business dealings prompted a serious police investigation. Maeve, the first witness, was taken to the station. The other children's parents arrived, expressing deep gratitude. Maeve, holding sleeping Will, answered them absently.
Leaving the station with a stack of business cards from grateful parents, Maeve hailed a taxi to the hospital to check on Will. Suspecting the kidnappers had given Will sleeping pills, a check confirmed her fears. Fortunately, the pills hadn't been ingested for long, and the doctor was able to induce vomiting, minimizing the damage.
Will's pallor and weakness shocked Maeve; he'd rarely been ill. "Mom... I feel sick," Will whispered, his eyelids drooping. Maeve soothed him, then took him home. She coaxed him to eat some mashed potatoes. He ate half, regaining some energy.
"Mommy, what's wrong with me?" Will asked, his voice hoarse.
Maeve touched his head, coldness in her eyes. "You were given sleeping pills and taken away. They wanted to send you out of the province. Fortunately, you're okay. Otherwise..." She trailed off, unable to imagine the alternative.
Will frowned. He'd escaped through the garden's dog hole, but the kidnappers seemed to have been waiting. The timing was too coincidental. It's like... there's a mole, he thought.
Maeve's mood was even graver. Someone in the McDaniel family discovered Theo and planned to sell him. We can't stay in Kleymond anymore, she realized.
Back at the apartment, Maeve noticed Will wasn't wearing his kindergarten uniform but a designer outfit, and his usual bear slippers were missing. Then, a small figure bounded into the room. "Mommy, where were you? I'm starving!" Theo exclaimed. His cheerful demeanor contrasted sharply with the events of the day.