Beyond the Divorce

I immediately felt flustered. It seemed like the more I feared, the more it came true. This was what I was worried about the most, and now, it happened.

I clenched the phone and hurried to the beach to find Atlas, urging him to book a flight back to Foswood as soon as possible.

After hearing what happened, Atlas comforted me and discussed it with my dad.

To ensure that Ava could completely forget the kidnapping, my parents would continue to stay on

Celestis Island for some time. Atlas arranged for someone to care for them. He and I flew back to Foswood.

Before boarding the plane, I had Grayson check what had happened to Ivanna. Lauren had urged me to return as soon as possible without explaining the entire story. I had a feeling it wasn't that simple.

On the plane, Atlas reassured me repeatedly, saying he would have Dylan investigate.

We landed in Foswood at 7 p.m. I quickly called Lauren.

She said she was waiting for us at the Vanderberg Palace.

Atlas's driver came to pick us up, and the car went straight to the tarmac, aiming to avoid external disturbances as much as possible. Everything was done secretly, just like when we left.

Dylan. Dylan said they had already dispatched people to investigate

Palace, Lauren

had been lifted

I had been

trouble. I haven't been able to reach

did Jared say?” I asked directly. "He

into it now, but there’s still no

while Atlas furrowed his brows, not

the next day.” Lauren detailed the events, “I heard it was pretty noisy on her end, so I asked if she hadn't gone home yet. She said she

I called her again the next day, her phone was off. I thought, since it was a day off, she might have partied

since it was a day off, she might have partied too hard and was sleeping in. So, I waited until noon and called her again, but even by

and she wouldn't stand me up. That's when

very punctual person. Even if she couldn't make it,

at home, soI called Jared. He said nothing and just hung up. It's been almost

she added, “We can't contact any of her

phone, about to call Jared. Atlas reached out and stopped my hand. “Don't rush!