"Miss Sheena, please wait. Mr Yates would like to see you."
Mr Hales hurried after Riley, his tone noticeably more respectful.
Behind her mask, Riley's lips curved into a faint, amused smile. Even her eyes softened with it, bright and striking.
She raised a brow. "Mr Yates? Which one? I'm not interested."
Why should I go just because he asked?
When he told me to leave, I have to leave. Now he wanted to see me, and I have to show up?
Who did he think he is?
Riley let out a quiet scoff, pulling the taxi driver's oversized coat tighter around herself as she walked off without another glance.
Mr Hales stood there, stunned.
For some reason, Miss Sheena… she looks… familiar.
And the way she reacted at the mention of Master Adrian—there was a hint of annoyance, even pride, like she'd been wronged.
Did Master Adrian offend her somehow?
Failing to stop her, Mr Hales quickly went to report back to Adrian.
Hearing this, Adrian frowned slightly. "I haven't offended her."
But after a moment, he figured it out.
Maybe she was called in too suddenly for the surgery. It annoyed her. That irritation just carried over.
Once he reached that conclusion, he let it go and went with Mr Hales to check on Mrs Hales.
Mrs Hales's fever had subsided and her wound was neatly bandaged.
On the tray beside the bed lay a bloodstained nail—the one Riley had removed from her thigh.
Though Mrs Hales's face was still pale, she looked far better than before.
The three doctors stood frozen.
How is this possible…?
She had really done it.
Mr Hales was just as stunned. Looking at Mrs Hales resting peacefully, his eyes reddened with emotion.
His respect for the young Miss Sheena grew even deeper.
Among everyone present, only Adrian remained calm, as if he had expected this outcome all along.
Once he confirmed Mrs Hales was out of danger, he turned to leave.
But the moment he stepped outside, he saw two bodyguards approaching.
Adrian frowned. "You have sent Miss Sheena away already?"
The bodyguards hesitated. "No… Miss Sheena refused an escort. The estate driver took her instead."
Adrian nodded. It didn't matter who drove her.
Besides, these two hadn't encountered her at the foot of the mountain earlier.
The thought made his expression darken slightly as he glanced at them.
The bodyguards stiffened, not daring to breathe too loudly.
"Anything else?" he asked, brows furrowed.
They exchanged a look, swallowed hard, then said—
"Master Adrian… Madam… she's missing."
His gaze snapped toward them, sharp as a blade.
"Missing? What do you mean?" His voice dropped, dangerous. "Didn't I tell you to take her to the café at the foot of the mountain?"
His fingers curled tightly.
A flicker of unease surfaced—he remembered the last time Riley had disappeared.
The bodyguard continued, voice trembling, "Before you called us to pick her up… Madam was already gone. We were fixing the car at the time and didn't notice…"
"Why didn't you report this immediately?!"
His anger surged, barely restrained.
The bodyguards felt a chill crawl up their spines, wishing they could vanish on the spot.
"Then what are you standing here for?" His voice turned icy. "Go find her!"
The words were forced through clenched teeth.
A trace of worry flashed in his eyes.
This part of the mountain is remote. Hardly any cars pass through, and the forest stretches on without end.
How is she supposed to make it out on her own?
What if it gets dark?
What if she runs into stray dogs?
What if she gets hungry?
The thought made his chest tighten with irritation.
Without another word, he ordered Derek to gather his men and begin the search.
From morning to afternoon…
From afternoon until nightfall…
They searched for hours.
And still—
There was no sign of Riley.
Adrian nearly forced himself to stand.
If Derek hadn't stopped him, he would've already kicked his wheelchair aside and gone out on his own.
They had searched every nearby mountainside.
Nothing.
His throat felt raw. His fists clenched tight. A faint red lingered in his eyes—guilt and panic tangled together.
This is my fault.
Why did I lose my temper with Riley?
I know she isn't sharp, that her thoughts are simple. If I'd just been a little more patient… she wouldn't have wandered off.
Now she's somewhere on this mountain.
What if something happens tonight?
The slopes are uneven, branches everywhere. How is she supposed to see where she's going in the dark?
This is on me.
"Master Adrian, it's already dark," Derek said quietly. "Let's head back first. Maybe Madam found her way out and someone has already taken her home. If you don't return soon, Master Arthur will worry."
We've already made enough noise.
If someone with bad intentions catches wind of this, it could turn into trouble.
Even if we can't find her now, we can leave people behind to keep searching.
Adrian understood.
He didn't argue.
He let Derek push him back.
But the first thing he said after returning was, "Call Eamon back."
Far away overseas, Eamon nearly burst into tears when he got the message. He immediately booked the earliest flight home the next morning.
By then, the entire estate had already heard that Riley was missing.
Mr Hales stood waiting at the entrance.
"Sir, have you found Madam?"
Adrian shook his head, his expression cold as frost.
Mr Hales's heart sank.
He had heard what happened—how Riley had been sent away because of Mrs Hales.
If anything really happens to her…
Neither Frances nor I would ever forgive ourselves.
But from the living room came Arthur's dismissive snort.
"She's just a fool. Look at all of you making a fuss. If she's lost, then so be it. Saves us the trouble of sending her back to the Cole family. I'll arrange for Felicia to come instead."
At the mention of Felicia, a flicker of disgust crossed Adrian's face.
He said nothing.
He turned and left.
He didn't even touch dinner.
Arthur slammed his cane against the floor in anger.
Mr Hales followed Adrian back to his room, speaking carefully along the way.
"Sir… Madam saw you were in a bad mood earlier. She prepared some desserts for you. She even said—"
He hesitated, then mimicked her tone softly.
"When you're upset, sweet things make it better."
The more he spoke, the heavier the air became.
Guilt deepened in Adrian's eyes.
So that's why.
She was just trying to cheer me up.
And what did I do?
I drove her out.
Had her sent away.
And now she's missing.
The image surfaced in his mind—Riley sitting there, nibbling on an apple, asking him if he wanted some.
A sharp ache pierced his chest.
"Master Adrian, Master Arthur was just speaking in anger. Please don't take it to heart," Mr Hales added. "I'll continue sending people to search for her. You've had a long day. Please get some rest."
Adrian gave a faint nod.
Back in his room, his gaze landed on the small stuffed bunny Riley had left behind on the bed.
His expression shifted.
He picked it up.
It still carried her scent—a faint, soft fragrance.
On the bedside table sat several delicate desserts, topped with fresh strawberries.
She made them for me.
And I told her to leave.
His gaze darkened.
Outside, the night had fallen completely, the sky deep and empty.
The worry in his chest only grew heavier.
Then suddenly—
His jaw tightened.
Without alerting anyone, Adrian turned and left the room alone.