Chapter 538 A Kind Soul

Vivian didn't want to witness a death, so she said, "Hey… Let's drop it. He didn't do anything to Jon. Besides, Jon started it by pulling his pants."

She planned to ask Jonathan why he'd done that. Zachary, anxious after hours reviewing surveillance footage, turned to her. "Did you call me? Don't I have a name?"

Vivian flinched at his abrupt shift in demeanor. He massaged his temples and instructed his subordinates, "Just throw him out."

"Yes," they replied.

Relieved, Vivian returned to monitoring the footage. Jonathan had vanished; he wasn't on any of the cameras, inside or outside the hotel. Zachary ordered a complete guest evacuation. "I refuse to believe we can't find one child."

"Okay. We'll do that," the manager replied.

Seeing Zachary's genuine concern, Vivian ceased her criticism. They began the search.

Meanwhile, Nicholas sat at home, engrossed in a book. Cassandra awaited his return to the Evans residence. A call arrived; his pupils constricted at the caller ID. It was Cecilia.

He remained silent until he heard her voice. "Nicholas, can we meet?"

He knew this concerned Nathaniel. Mason was searching for him. Nicholas replied calmly, "Cecilia, why are you calling at this hour? I've already gone to bed."

Cecilia considered Mason's suggestion that Nicholas was somehow involved in Nathaniel's disappearance. But she doubted it; he was always kind, even to stray animals.

"I simply wanted to ask if you've seen Nathaniel. He hasn't returned after the gathering and isn't answering his calls. Mason mentioned you were there."

Nicholas heard the wind in the background. Instead of answering, he asked, "Where are you?"

Cecilia replied, "Not far from the Rainsworth residence." She'd initially planned to go inside but reconsidered, remembering Cassandra's accusations and the lateness of the hour.

Seeing Cecilia was outside, Nicholas glanced out the window at the blizzard. "I'll come out."

"No need. Just tell Nathaniel—"

Before she finished, Nicholas hung up. He grabbed his umbrella and hurried out.

Cecilia stood by her car, the snow and wind biting through her clothes. She rubbed her hands together.

Soon, Nicholas arrived, umbrella in hand. "Why didn't you wait in the car?" he asked, seeing her chilled face.

"I noticed a car parked outside. I was afraid you wouldn't see me," she replied.

Nicholas remembered their childhood; she'd once waited for him in the rain, fearing he wouldn't find her in the crowd.