Theo came over and placed a comforting arm around Ellinorâs shoulders, gently patting her. He led her inside the house, along with Balfour.
After making a few phone calls, Balfour returned to the living room and addressed both of them. âItâs true that sheâs been out for a month now, but she hasnât been home. The latest we know is that she had been working a few jobs in Greenhaven and resigned the day before yesterday. Nobody knows where she is now.â
Ellinor couldnât remain seated. She stood up and yelled, âIt must be her! Sheâs the one who took Baber!
What is she planning to do?â
Balfour looked helplessly at his sister. He understood her anxiety about her child but had no useful information to offer her. âEllinor, Iâve sent people to find her. Please be patient. If Patricia did take Baber, at least he is relatively safe. Baber was once a child she adopted.â
This only fueled Ellinorâs anxiety. âBalfour, do you truly not understand your sister? Do you not know why she adopted Baber in the first place? You know how she treated Baber! I hope Baber was abducted by someone else! They would only want money. Your sister probably wants Baberâs life!â
Tears welled up in Ellinorâs eyes as she spoke.
When she didnât have a child, she could face any adversity with a calm and composed demeanor. But now that she had children, they had become her greatest vulnerability. She could no longer remain as cool-headed as before.
Balfour remained silent. He couldnât refute Ellinorâs statement.
If Patricia had indeed abducted Baber, it would be impossible to guess her motives.
Meanwhile, upstairs, Byran was on the phone with Ida when he heard the commotion from the living room. He furrowed his brows and listened closely.
Ida noticed his change in demeanor. âWhatâs wrong?â
âI think I hear my sisterâs voice downstairs.â
Ida sounded surprised. âEllinor? What is she doing at your place this late?â
As Byran got up to put on his shoes, he said, âI donât know. Iâll go check and call you back later.â
âOkay.â
After hanging up, Byran quickly put on a bathrobe and rushed downstairs.
Sure enough, when he reached the bottom of the stairs, he saw Theo and Ellinor in the living room.
But everyoneâs faces were filled with tension. It looked like something bad had happened.
âBro, sis, Theo, what are you guys talking about this late at night?â Byran walked over and asked curiously.
Only after asking did he notice the tears on Ellinorâs face. âSis, why⦠why are you crying?â
He had never seen Ellinor cry like this before, so he was quite shocked.
Ellinor didnât have the energy to explain. She felt helpless. She didnât know how to contact the kidnapper, where Baber had been taken, or where Patricia was.
She was worried about Baber, worried he might be hurt, and worried he might be scared.
Theo cradled Ellinor in his arms and softly stroked her hair as he whispered comforting words.
Byran was more confused than ever. He turned to his brother and asked, âBro, what happened to sis?â
Balfour looked solemn as he asked Byran, âHave you seen Patricia recently?â