He strode into the house to find his grandparents, Dean and Alyssa Howard, sitting in the living room, their faces creased with worry.
âGrandma, Grandpa! Has there been any news about my dad?â
Dean and Alyssa looked up at their grandson, and their faces lit up at his appearance, but they soon fell back into despair as they shook their heads.
âNo.â Alyssa sighed. âWe still havenât been able to contact him.â
Bryan furrowed his brow. âDid you call the police?â
Dean replied, âTheyâve just left. They said they canât file a report until heâs been missing for 48 hours.â
Bryan was visibly anxious. âAnd whereâs my brother, Balfour?â
Alyssa sighed at the mention of their older grandson. âBalfourâs upstairs. Go ask him if heâs found anything.â
Without waiting for a response, Bryan dashed up the stairs.
After knocking on his brotherâs door, he was soon granted entry.
âBalfour, any updates? Did your contacts find anything about Dad?â
Balfour was sprawled on the couch. There was a cloud of smoke surrounding him from the cigarette he was puffing on. The room was thick with the smell of tobacco.
Bryan coughed, unused to the strong scent. âBalfour, you hardly ever smoke. Whatâs going on? Why arenât you answering me? Did they find Dad?â
Balfour looked up at his younger brother. âI didnât send anyone to look for him.â
Bryan was taken aback. âWhat? Why not? The staff have searched every corner of the house. Dadâs definitely not here. We need to find him!â
Balfour took a long drag from his cigarette, blowing out a cloud of smoke before coldly responding, âGo to his room. Thereâs a hidden door in the bookcase. Move the seventh book on the third shelf, and itâll open. Check if heâs in there.â
Bryan was shocked. Heâd never known about any secret doors in the house.
Without any further questions, he went to check.
Left alone, Balfour continued to smoke in silence with a tired look in his eyes.
A few minutes later, Bryanâs voice could be heard from the hallway. âSomeone come! I found Dad! Heâs here!â
Balfour remained unmoved by the commotion. His gaze was fixed on the drawing hanging on his wall.
It was a sketch his mother had drawn before she left.
The house staff, hearing Bryanâs shouts, rushed upstairs.
Dean and Alyssa, shaking with relief and excitement, managed to stand with the help of their attendants and made their way upstairs.
In the hidden room in McNeil Howardâs bedroom, they found him sprawled on the floor, surrounded by empty liquor bottles, completely unconscious.
Upon seeing their son, Dean and Alyssa let out a sigh of relief before quickly attending to him.
âQuick! Someone make him a cup of strong coffee!â
âBryan, carry your father out of here and lay him on the bed. This room is too small. Itâs not well ventilated, so he might suffocate.â
Bryan nodded. âYes, Grandma, Grandpa.â
He hoisted his father up and quickly laid him down on the large bed outside the room.
Once his father was settled, Bryan turned to his grandparents with confusion written all over his face.
âGrandma, Grandpa, why does my dadâs room have a secret room? Iâve never known about it. Did you?â