Chapter 4: The Vanishing Car
The black SUV disappeared beyond the iron gates before Adrian even reached the driveway.
For a few seconds, he just stood there.
Frozen.
Like his mind refused to accept what his eyes had seen.
Then he moved.
Fast.
"Call the police," he ordered.
I grabbed my phone immediately.
But before I could dial, Adrian stopped me.
"No.""
I looked at him.
"No?""
His jaw tightened.
"Not yet.""
My heart sank.
"What do you mean, not yet? Lily was taken.""
"I know.""
"Then why are we standing here?""
Adrian looked back at the mansion.
At the cameras.
At the empty driveway.
"Because whoever took her knew exactly what they were doing.""
I didn't understand.
"Explain.""
He walked toward the security room.
"They disabled the front gate camera for exactly thirty-seven seconds.""
I followed him.
"How do you know that?""
"Because I installed the system myself.""
The security room was hidden behind a wooden panel near the office.
Inside were dozens of screens showing every corner of the estate.
Adrian pulled up the footage.
The timeline jumped.
The camera went black.
Then came back.
Thirty-seven seconds later.
In that time, the SUV appeared.
My stomach twisted.
"Someone inside helped them.""
Adrian didn't answer.
Because he knew I was right.
The mansion was full of employees.
The gardener.
The chef.
The drivers.
The assistants.
Someone had opened the door.
Someone had handed Lily over.
A sound came from the hallway.
We both turned.
The elderly house manager, Mrs. Bell, stood there.
Her face was pale.
"Mr. Oleso...""
Adrian immediately walked toward her.
"Where is Lily?""
Mrs. Bell looked down.
"I don't know.""
"Don't lie to me.""
The woman flinched.
"I swear, I don't know.""
Adrian lowered his voice.
"Then tell me what you do know.""
Mrs. Bell's hands trembled.
"I saw Mrs. Whitmore leave this morning.""
My eyes widened.
"Victoria?""
Mrs. Bell nodded.
"She came back around eight.""
Adrian stared at her.
"Victoria was supposed to be gone.""
"She was.""
Mrs. Bell looked toward the security screens.
"She came through the servant entrance.""
A cold feeling crawled up my spine.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?""
Mrs. Bell looked ashamed.
"Because she threatened me.""
Adrian went silent.
"What did she threaten you with?""
The older woman's eyes filled with tears.
"My grandson.""
The room became quiet.
I understood then.
Victoria didn't control people with kindness.
She controlled them with fear.
Adrian walked closer.
"What did she say?""
Mrs. Bell swallowed.
"She said if I ever betrayed her, she would make sure my grandson lost everything.""
Adrian looked furious.
"Where is she now?""
"I don't know.""
Mrs. Bell hesitated.
Then reached into her pocket.
"I found this.""
She handed him a small envelope.
Adrian opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
It showed Victoria standing beside the black SUV.
And beside her...
Was a man I had never seen before.
Adrian's expression changed instantly.
"Who is he?""
I asked.
Adrian stared at the picture.
"My brother's old business partner.""
"Why would he take Lily?""
Adrian didn't answer.
Instead, he flipped the photo over.
There was writing on the back.
A location.
And a time.
Tonight.
7:00 PM.
Adrian looked at the clock.
"We have three hours.""
I stared at him.
"You're going after them?""
He looked surprised.
"Of course.""
"What if it's a trap?""
"It is.""
The confidence in his voice scared me.
"Then why go?""
Adrian looked toward the stairs where Lily used to sleep.
"Because that little girl has spent years being afraid.""
He picked up his jacket.
"I'm not letting her be afraid of me too.""
I followed him.
"I’m coming with you.""
He stopped.
"No.""
"Why?""
"Because this could be dangerous.""
I looked at him.
"She trusted me enough to call her uncle.""
He didn't respond.
I continued.
"She trusted me enough to tell me she was hungry.""
Adrian looked away.
For a moment, I thought he would refuse.
Then he handed me a second phone.
"If anything happens, call this number.""
I took it.
"What is this?""
"My emergency line.""
I looked at him.
"You said I shouldn't come.""
"I changed my mind.""
"Why?""
His eyes met mine.
"Because Victoria was right about one thing.""
I frowned.
"What?""
"She knew you cared about Lily.""
A strange silence filled the room.
Then Adrian added:
"And that means Victoria sees you as a threat.""
The words sent a chill through me.
Because I realized something.
Victoria hadn't just taken Lily.
She had planned this.
She wanted Adrian to chase her.
She wanted us all moving exactly where she wanted.
As we left the mansion, my phone suddenly buzzed.
Unknown number.
One message.
I opened it.
And my blood turned cold.
It was a picture.
A picture of me standing outside the kitchen door last night.
Watching Victoria.
May you like
Below the image were four words.
*"You should have stayed quiet.""*
