CHAPTER 91

ADRIANOIT DID NOT sound real in his head. It felt like it was another person. He looked around, seeing the worried faces of people gazing at him. Some women clutched their children tighter."I'm sure she must be around here somewhere," Mandy said. Her panic was not well-hidden underneath her voice as she spoke."I'm sure too," Joyce added. "I will organize every tutor. Or maybe she went to another floor."In a few minutes, it was clear that Iris was no longer in this building. She had disappeared."She never passed through the front door," Mandy said. "I have been watching here all day."Soon, all the officials were gathered in the lobby. Some policemen pulled into the parking lot too, but Adriano did not care for any of these procedures as the police men canvassed the surrounding area.He walked into the grand hall, looking around to see if he would see anything that belonged to Iris here. If she had been grabbed against her will, she would not have had the chance to pack her things

Last Updated : 2025-10-10

CHAPTER 92

AVERYAS SOON AS Adriano had called me, I knew something was wrong. I don't know whether it was the tone of his voice or whether it was my imagination that was planning for the worst, but even before he told me the news, I knew something had happened.So when he told me that Iris was missing, it came as a surprise but not a shock."What is it, Avery?" Emily asked.Adriano had ended the call mid-sentence. I knew he did not want me to get involved with anything, and he wanted to deal with it on his own, but I was not having any of that. I loved Iris as a daughter, too."Emily?""Hmm?" She asked, glancing at me briefly as we came to a halt in front of a red light."Can we put a rain check on the designer store?" I asked."What's going on?" She asked."Iris is missing," I sighed."Adriano's daughter?"I nodded, and she gasped, covering her mouth with her hands."How did it happen?" She asked.I shrugged. "I don't know. He did not give me the details before ending the call.""He cut the ca

Last Updated : 2025-10-10

CHAPTER 93

AVERY I KEPT MY HAND on his thighs and he relaxed at my touch. His fingers still drummed nervously on the steering, but his was was relaxed, and he was no longer overspeeding.We drove into a residential area of the city, away from the bustle and noise."How may I help you, sir?" A security guard asked, popping his head from a small window."I am here to see Mr Rossevelt," Adriano said calmly.That was Martin Roosevelt. Clarance's lover. Was Adriano here to see Clarance? I wondered.Perhaps he just wanted to inform her that Iris was missing. After all, she was the mother."Is he expecting you?" The security guard asked.Adriano shook his head.The security guard frowned slightly, but he knew he could not be disrespectful in any way, so he said, "May I have your I.D?"Adriano handed over his card and the guard's head popped back in. He ran some checks on the I.D, then he came out after a few seconds. He handed the card back to Adriano with a small ticket."Thank you, Mr Mancini," he s

Last Updated : 2025-10-11

CHAPTER 94

AVERYADRIANO TOOK IN a deep breath."IT would be a big help," I stepped in. "Thank you."Martin looked at me like he was going to say something, but he swallowed his words after looking at Adriano again. Then he picked up his towel and hung it around his neck as he left the kitchen and went up the stairs.When we were alone, I took Adriano's hand to calm him down. M"Can I offer you anything?" The lady in apron asked in a small voice.I gave her a curt smile and shook my head. "No,"She scurried away without any other word."That bastard might be doing something else," Adriano growled. "Maybe he is calling the police-""We can just give him the benefit of the doubt," I said calmly. "He offered to help us, we should take his word for it." I looked up the stairs, wondering what Martin was doing, and if Adriabo was right and we were about to be arrested for trespassing and assault.After a few tense minutes, Martin came down. He wore some brightly colored shorts that made the red blotch

Last Updated : 2025-10-12

CHAPTER 95

ADRIANO WAS BOILING with anger. His mind was reeling and all he could see was red fury as he advanced on Clarance. For a second, she seemed to shrink back in fear, but she took in a deep breath and tried to sidestep Adriano to gead Iris but the other muscular man propped a hand in her front, keeping her in place."You motherfucking bitch!" He growled, pointing at her. "You dare abduct my child.""She is my child too, in case you have forgotten," she countered. "I carried her in my belly for 9 months. You did not do anything that period except go to work, and throw money on me, like it would cover your offense of trying to ruin my body."Adriano turned to look at Iris to make sure that she was not hearing any of this, and he saw that Avery had covered the child's ears. He nodded gratefully before turning back to Clarance. "And you brought my child here? Of all places?" He looked around.Clarance chuckled and flipped her hair. "You are making my daughter depend on this lowlife bitch."A

Last Updated : 2025-10-13

CHAPTER 96

AVERYI KEPT MY hands firmly around Iris's as we made our way out of the dilapidated bar. The whole area was dark and dim. Between me and Iris, I did not know who was more afraid, but I put on a bold font, held her hand firmly, and walked through the dark street."This way, ma'am," the hefty man who had approached us earlier said. He was suddenly very respectful, but I was still wary of him and his intentions.We got to the car and I unlocked it, making sure Iris was well strapped in the back seat before I turned around. The man was waiting, unsure of what to do.I cleared my throat, observing his body language. It was one of the perks of being a therapist, I often knew someone's mind just from how they stood or moved."I can drive you and the young lady home," he said."What is your name?" I asked."Enzo," he replied.There was no hesitation, and he kept a steady eye contact with me."Enzo," I repeated and he nodded. "I can drive you home while you comfort the young miss," he gestur