Mateo’s eyes were bright—almost dazzling—when he looked at her. “Because… you.“I thought that I would finally be able to move on after a hug from you. But when your body collapsed into my arms, I had a revelation—I can never move on; it’s impossible. At that moment, I felt as though my one true dream had finally come true,” he explained. “I demand more. There is no way I can let you go like this… So, I want to take you with me, to a place where no one knows us, and I will use the rest of my life to make you love me. I’ve already spent so many years bound to you; adding the rest of my life into it is a small feat.”Arianne’s mind was a mess, but as she worked hard to connect the dots, the truth slowly reared its head in her own. “And Geralt Bernard knew about this all along, didn’t he? He helped you fake your death. He then came to save me from your mother when she abducted me, because he was privy to your scheme. The things he said to me—and that time he brought me to that so-called

Geralt took a deep breath. “You’re right. I’ve lost the credibility to remain in this profession, which is why I submitted my resignation letter just yesterday. Even before you attended that funeral, I thought about rattling the truth out to you, yet… I cannot find it in me to betray Teo. For that, I’m truly, deeply sorry,” he explained. “I know your hatred is directed at me just as much as at him, so I won’t denigrate us both by trying to appeal to some sort of favorable impression in your mind. Instead, what do you say about a parley? You’ll begin to eat something, and I’ll help you pass a thing to Mark to let him know that you’re still alive.”Arianne reeled back in shock. Was he not the least bit worried that she might seize this chance to inform him her location?Of course, it did not take her long to realize how impossible it was to relay any useful information—even Arianne herself had no idea where this place was, let alone tell Mark anything concrete. One look outside the win

When Mark spoke, his voice was quaking as much as he was. “M-Must continue searching… T-Tell all of our people that we’ll… We’ll find her no matter how difficult it is, no matter the cost, no matter life or d-d-death… I want her found!”How close to the truth the parcel implied was already beyond his care, for the note and the earring had defeated his mental fortress. It had been days since anxiety became his companion in the dark, denying him his nightly reprieve and forcing him to turn to medication just to emulate some form of emotional stability.Home had become the den of his nightmares. He feared stepping inside the Tremont Estate because being in there, with emptiness surrounding him, forced him into confronting Arianne’s absence. Then there was Smore’s questioning; he feared the boy’s endless pelts of “Where is Mom, Dad? Where is my mom?”Deep down inside, he had become just a mortified man who wanted to run away from everything.Mark had not told Jackson nor Tiffany about

Knowing that Mateo’s plan to whisk her away was nigh, Arianne panicked a little. “No, no! I’m not leaving with you!”Mateo spared her only a brief glance. He did not even give her a word.News of recent development had hit him: Mark’s people had begun watching every airport in the city. He had to move and fast. Even if he could not leave the country, changing the location he housed Arianne was still a must.Yes, he suspected betrayal from his dear pal Ralt. How else could he explain Mark’s obviously-guided focus on airports? The only explanation was if that bastard was somehow tipped into knowing that Mateo was still alive, and that he was the one who’d abducted Arianne!The old woman finished packing all of Arianne’s things. “Everything’s in order, sir.”Mateo nodded. “Wait for us outside. I’ll be with you in a moment.”She gave a confirmatory hum and went out, Arianne’s suitcase lumbering along.The room was left with just Arianne and Mateo. By this point, all of the favorable

Obviously, Mark had had his men keep an eye on this airport as well. However, since it was a smaller sized airport, there were not many men placed there.Before they got out of the car, Mateo put on a pair of sunglasses and a face mask. Of course, he had prepared a set for Arianne as well.Expectedly, Arianned refused to wear it and get out of the car. However, Mateo had already thought about it beforehand and handed over the syringe and drug to the old lady in the front passenger’s seat. “I’m getting off first, bring her with you later. Be careful.”After Mateo got out of the car and entered the airport, the driver took up the syringe after filling it up with the drug, ready to inject it into Arianne. Obviously, she struggled with all her might. “Don’t touch me!”The old lady moved to the back seat and forcefully held Arianne down. “Ms. Wynn, stop struggling. Otherwise, you’re the one who’s going to suffer if I have to stick this needle in you. The drug is only going to put you to