All Too Late

Samuel felt extremely annoyed.

On his way to the park to find Kathleen, he had been pondering. Does Kathleen really not want to spend the rest of her life with me? It can’t be. She loves me. How could she not want to be with me?

Samuel figured he was overthinking.

After all, as long as he did not mention Christopher’s plan, Kathleen would not know a thing.

Kathleen and Federick went to look for Madeline separately.

When Samuel found her, she was shouting, “Madeline? Madeline?”

Even though she knew Madeline would not respond even if the latter heard her, she still could not help but give it a try.

“Kathleen!” Samuel walked over.

Kathleen was stunned momentarily. “Why are you here?”

Then, she shifted her gaze toward the more than twenty bodyguards standing behind Samuel.

So he’s brought his men here.

Walking over, Kathleen took out her phone. “Please add my WhatsApp. I’ll create a group and send the girl’s photo to the group. Her name is Madeline, and she has autism. She hates the crowd, so you can search in places where there are fewer people. Don’t leave any corner unsearched. Update the group once you’re done searching a particular area so that we can sort it out. Understand?”

The men nodded in response.

“Another thing. Don’t touch her after you guys find her. Just make sure that she is safe, and contact me right away. I will go over to wherever you are,” Kathleen uttered again.

“Yes, Mrs. Macari.” The crowd nodded.

Upon hearing that, Kathleen was stunned momentarily.

Lowering her head, she created the group chat on WhatsApp and invited everyone into it, including Federick.

“Invite me in too,” Samuel said.

Kathleen rolled her eyes at him before inviting him in.

Kathleen texted: @Federick Please send Madeline’s photo here and tell everyone what she is wearing today to make it easier for everyone to find her.

Federick did not expect Kathleen would summon so many people.

Without hesitation, he sent the photo in the group chat.

He then texted: Madeline is wearing a red dress with white bottoms, along with a pair of red leather shoes today. Her hair is tied into a ponytail, and she’s holding a doll in her arms.

After that, he sent a photo of the doll as well.

Kathleen texted: All right, everyone. Let’s go find her separately.

After receiving the information, everyone started the search immediately.

texted again:

started searching as well,

“Do you

to say that

Samuel’s tone was cold. “Have you looked

“Yes.” Kathleen nodded.

are we looking around

is

of the scope of activities, she should have been to more places, right?” Samuel

at Samuel. “Do you mean we need to expand the

accompanied by paranoia.” Samuel stared at her. “They

furrowed her brows. “Let me

is today?” Samuel

“Sunday,” Kathleen replied.

was supposed to be her schedule for today?” Samuel

“but because Federick had something to do,

has paranoia. What do you think she

“Let’s go search along the road to the charity home!” She immediately grabbed

tightened his grip

passenger seat, looking out the car

more difficult to search for Madeline even with the

started to worry that Madeline might

a second.” Suddenly, Kathleen stopped

immediately stepped on

the car and approached an old

the river behind,” the

“Sell us

lady’s eyes lit up

her gaze on Samuel as the latter grabbed her hand and led her to

old lady brought them to a river and pointed

old lady, Kathleen

his mouth. “Based on the direction, we

her brows. “Why

and it was getting dark. She wanted to walk home, but she got

that Samuel’s words made

his analyzing ability at all for

finding Madeline’s doll,

darker by then, and the road was not as bright as

Samuel used his phone as a

Kathleen’s hand was cold.

was warm, which gave Kathleen a great sense of

while, they arrived at a

several large cement pipes outside the construction

to have seen something as the light from the phone shone toward the

pointed