Chapter 3 The Lost Little Girl

Charlotte hustled Noah and Andy out of the airport in a hurry.

Her bestie, Ava Davis, was already at the exit, waving like a maniac when she spotted Charlotte. "Charlotte!"

"Ava!" Charlotte's face lit up with excitement.

Noah and Andy bolted ahead, launching themselves into Ava's arms. "Ava, did you miss us?"

Ava crouched down and planted a big kiss on each of their cheeks. "Of course I did! I even got you those airplane models you love."

Noah's eyes sparkled. "That's awesome!"

Andy jumped up and down. "Is it the aircraft carrier model we've been dying for? Mom wouldn't get it for us before!"

To be clear, the model was an aircraft carrier with a ton of tiny parts.

Charlotte knew that anything with small pieces in Noah and Andy's hands would be dismantled in no time, and she worried about them swallowing the bits, so she always said no.

Ava grinned. "Yep, that's the one. One for each of you."

Noah beamed. "I knew you were the best."

Charlotte shot Ava a look of mild frustration. "Ava, you're spoiling them too much. This could lead to overindulgence."

Ava just shrugged. "It's fine. I trust the kids know their limits. Let's get home."

"Alright." Charlotte loaded the luggage into Ava's car and hopped in with Noah and Andy.

She didn't look back and missed James lingering at the exit, searching.

Daisy, forcing a smile, caught up and grabbed James's hand.

"James, did you see someone? Remember, we were just interviewed by reporters."

James yanked his hand away, his eyes cold and annoyed.

"Daisy, don't forget our deal. If you ever book the same flight as me again and drag reporters along to push for marriage, I won't let it slide!"

James was always discreet. How did his whereabouts get leaked, causing a media frenzy?

Daisy bit her lip, looking hurt. "James, you misunderstood. I didn't call them."

Her eyes filled with tears, her pitiful look begging for sympathy. But James's gaze stayed icy.

"You know if you did or not. I hate these games."

Daisy, tears streaming, said, "It really wasn't me. I don't want you to have so many prejudices and misunderstandings about me."

James's eyes were full of disgust as he turned to leave, but Daisy quickly followed.

Tears didn't work on James, so Daisy wiped them away, her smile now forced and flattering.

"James, do you have time tonight? I know a new restaurant with great food."

James frowned at her when his phone suddenly rang urgently.

He answered, and the butler's panicked voice came through. "Mr. Martin, Emma is missing!"

James's eyes widened with anger. "What did you say? How could so many adults lose track of one child?" he snapped.

The butler, sweating bullets, said, "She left the backyard on her own. We're searching for her now."James shot a glance at Daisy and barked, "Get everyone searching. If you can't find Emma, don't bother coming back!"

The butler replied, "Understood."

After hanging up, James called his assistant. "Cancel all my meetings today and get a team together to find Emma."

The assistant responded, "On it."

With everything set, James accessed the surveillance system at the Martin Villa.

The footage showed a little girl in a princess dress running through the rose bushes in the backyard before vanishing from sight. That was his daughter, Emma Martin.

Seeing this, James clenched his fist tightly.

Such a small child—where could Emma have possibly gone?

No matter what, James had to find her.

Daisy tried to comfort him, "James, don't worry. I'll help you find Emma."

James didn't respond, striding out quickly, his hurried steps betraying his inner panic.

Meanwhile, Ava was driving them home.

Charlotte sat in the front passenger seat, while the kids chatted and laughed in the back. The car was filled with a warm and joyful atmosphere.

But suddenly, Ava slammed on the brakes, startling Charlotte and causing Andy and Noah to cry out.

Charlotte asked, "Ava, what's wrong?"

Ava steadied her breath and replied, "There's a child on the road."

Luckily, she had braked in time, or the little girl would have been hit.

Charlotte didn't hesitate. She opened the door and dashed towards the girl crossing the street.

They were on the busiest street in Thaloria, and it was a green light with heavy traffic.

The little girl wore a beautiful purple princess dress, her delicate face like a doll's, but her eyes were vacant.

The blaring car horns around her seemed to go unnoticed as she remained lost in her own world.

"Watch out!" Charlotte shouted as she saw a white car speeding towards the girl. Without a second thought, she lunged forward and grabbed her.

The car screeched to a halt, the sound of the brakes piercing.

Charlotte used her body to shield the girl, rolling several times on the ground before coming to a stop.

A sharp pain shot through Charlotte's ankle, but ignoring it, she quickly checked on the girl. "Sweetie, are you okay?"

Charlotte looked around and continued, "Why are you crossing the street alone? Where are your parents?"

She asked several questions, but the girl didn't respond.

The girl looked like a doll, stripped of its soul.

Even when Charlotte held her hand, she didn't react.

Seeing this, Charlotte felt a pang of unease.

She realized that this child seemed to have autism.

Ava rushed over with Noah and Andy, immediately noticing the scrape on Charlotte's knee. "Charlotte, you're hurt!" she exclaimed.

Hearing this, Charlotte glanced down, gritting her teeth against the pain. "I'm fine. Let's get her to a safe place first. There are too many cars here; it's too dangerous," she said.

Noah said earnestly, "Mom, your leg needs treatment, or it will only get worse!"

At that moment, a glimmer of light appeared in the girl's eyes, and she slowly looked up.