Maeve's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"

"Ms. Booth, please come in with us," the police officer said to Karen, stepping out of the car.

Karen stood up and walked past Maeve with a sneer. "The news should be reporting your son's death by now. How pitiful. Because of Byron, your son is gone." Maeve clenched her fists.

She kept telling herself nothing would happen to Will. Trembling, she checked her phone and saw a breaking news alert: A serious accident on Cold Water Highway involved a truck crashing into a van. All van occupants were seriously injured; a child, approximately four or five years old, died at the scene.

A loud bang echoed in Maeve's head. Her ears buzzed incessantly, and the metallic scent of burning rust filled her throat. Impossible. It can't be Will! she thought.

The McDaniel family, the police, and Karen entered the living room. Byron, Jason McDaniel, and Alexis McDaniel—who had been notified beforehand—were already present.

Karen immediately saw Byron sitting on a long sofa. A flicker of infatuation and resentment crossed her eyes. If he'd married me then, she thought, this wouldn't have happened.

Karen subtly adjusted the heart-shaped brooch on her clothing; it was a hidden camera, connected to Neville's subordinate's computer, live-streaming the scene to millions of online viewers.

After explaining their purpose, the police asked, "Our investigation shows your son was picked up from kindergarten by his grandfather today and hasn't returned. Mr. McDaniel denies this, and none of you reported the incident. Is this, as Ms. Karen claims, malicious abandonment?"

The McDaniels' abandonment of their son over twenty years prior was unverifiable. The police investigation focused solely on Will's disappearance. Confirming Will's disappearance, even without Karen proving Jason and Alexis abandoned Byron, would still expose the McDaniel family's alleged wrongdoing.

"No," Jason frowned. "Kidnapping isn't reported until 24 hours after a child goes missing. We've already dispatched search parties."

Byron's thin lips twitched; his expression was cold.

"That's incorrect, Mr. McDaniel," the police officer corrected. "You can report a missing minor immediately."

"Is that so?" Mr. McDaniel's expression remained calm. "Even so, what does it have to do with abandonment?"

Karen smiled. "Jason, you seem unconcerned. Aren't you worried about your only grandson? Could it be that, because he's autistic, you believe he shames the McDaniel family?"

Alexis stared at Karen with a strange gaze. How did the gentle, demure girl I knew become so detestable? she thought.

A police officer approached. "We just received news of a car accident on Cold Water Highway. A child in the van is believed to be Will McDaniel." He handed Byron his phone to verify.

"Will!" Seeing the police photos, Alexis gasped, her eyes instantly reddening.

Byron's face was grim. After a few seconds, his brow relaxed. "That's not my son."

"Of course, Mr. McDaniel wouldn't admit it," Karen said, producing documents. "Officer, this shows financial transactions between Mr. McDaniel's secretary and the kidnappers. Investigate this. Will was kidnapped by his family. I wonder what role Mr. McDaniel played."

Byron's cold gaze locked onto Karen's, sending a chill down her spine.

The police took the information and began an investigation. The livestream erupted in outrage.

Comments included: [This is fucked up! Byron abandoned his own child! How cold-blooded!], [I'm disappointed in the McDaniel Group. How can we trust their products?], [That child is unlucky to be born into that family! They must be punished!], [The car accident is suspicious! They eliminated evidence!], [I despise this family!], [The child is pitiful!], [Who is this adorable child?], and [No way!!]

The comments shifted dramatically with the appearance of a small figure in the doorway. He wore a navy kindergarten uniform, white socks, leather shoes, and a striped cap, looking more like a model than a child just dismissed from school. He held a lollipop larger than his face, sucking on it occasionally.

"I'm back… Why are there so many guests?" Theo tilted his head, confused.

Karen's expression changed; her eyes widened in disbelief. How… how did he…? she thought.

Alexis nearly cried, rushing to hug Theo. "Will, my dear grandson! Where were you? I thought something terrible happened!"

Theo felt uncomfortable but, seeing Alexis' distress, remained still.

"Will," Byron beckoned, his expression dark.

Theo approached, lollipop in hand. "Why are you looking for me?"

"Where did you go?" Byron's brow furrowed, examining Theo for injuries. His expression eased when he saw none.

"I went to the arcade. Did something happen?" Theo asked, knowingly offering the lollipop. "Look, I won this from the claw machine!" (He could only win food from the claw machine.)

Byron took the lollipop. "Why didn't you tell me? Candy confiscated."

Theo glared angrily. "Why are you stealing from a child? Haven't you had lollipops before?"

Byron said, "No, that's why I can't bear to see you eat."

Theo was speechless.