26. Hunt

Gerald glanced back at the documents in his hands. This man wasn't a stranger to him. He rubbed his temples. Is the world really this small? Instead of decreasing, the problems seemed to be multiplying.

"Where was the last place she was seen?" he asked his assistant.

"From the toll data, she just exited toward the rural area, Sir," his assistant replied.

Gerald furrowed his brow once again. Where could they possibly have gone? What was in that town? "Instruct everyone to search for her. Whatever it takes. Whatever the cost. She has to be found today," he ordered.

His assistant nodded again and left.

Gerald returned home around eight in the evening. He hoped he could avoid Axel, so he waited until the child's bedtime. His grandmother seemed to be relaxing in the living room with the remote control in her hand, while his mother was engrossed with her tablet, probably shopping online, as was her habit.

"Any news?" Mrs. Rosaline asked, even before Gerald had a chance to set down his