Chapter 5

The Hearst Mansion living room.

Henry stormed in, his face dark with anger. The butler, looking worried, hurried to meet him. "Mr. Hearst, is it true that Miss Hearst is missing?"

Henry yanked at his tie in frustration. "Has anyone contacted the house?"

The airport was already on lockdown, but they still hadn't found Tiffany.

His assistant was reviewing the airport surveillance footage, but with so many cameras, it would take time to go through everything.

Henry was more worried that Tiffany wasn't at the airport at all and that something had happened to her.

The thought made his already stern expression even colder, and a dangerous aura surrounded him.

If he found out who had hurt Tiffany, he would make them pay with their life.

"Who called Tiffany this morning?" Henry demanded coldly.

The butler hesitated, glancing around at the staff, who all shook their heads, terrified.

Henry's eyes narrowed dangerously.

If it wasn't them, then who?

Only the regular staff were in the mansion; no outsiders could have come in.

Besides, no outsider would know the number to Tiffany's children's smartwatch.

Just then, a fragrant breeze swept in as a graceful figure entered the room.

"Henry, I heard Tiffany is missing. Is it true? What happened? How could she just disappear?" Vivian, with her perfectly made-up face, sat down next to Henry and clung to his arm, her voice filled with concern.

She had once been Henry's cherished first love.

Henry's being unable to be with her had made him resent Julia deeply.

But now, looking at her face, Henry felt only cold indifference.

His gaze was sharp as a knife as he looked at her. "Did you call Tiffany and say something to her? Otherwise, why would she suddenly get upset and run away?"

This time, he had gone on a business trip abroad, and Tiffany, usually obedient, had insisted on coming along.

He had no choice but to take her with him.

Tiffany had been happy abroad, but after receiving a satellite phone call on the plane, she had suddenly become upset.

As soon as the plane landed, she had slipped away without a word.

Vivian was taken aback, a bit panicked inside, but she put on a shocked expression. "Henry, how could you think that of me?" she said, sounding hurt. "Yes, I called Tiffany, but I was just asking when you would be back and if you needed me to pick you up, that's all!"

"Over the years, you've seen how I've treated Tiffany. I've treated her like my own daughter. How could I ever hurt her?" she added.

Vivian's eyes were red as she spoke, looking aggrieved yet strong, appearing very innocent and pitiful.

But inside, she was furious with Tiffany! Vivian pretended to be kind to Tiffany, but she had always secretly despised her for being mute.

For years, she had tried to win Tiffany over, hoping to use her to get closer to Henry.

But Tiffany had never warmed up to Vivian, which made Henry increasingly cold towards her.

Vivian blamed Tiffany for everything.

Vivian's malicious plan was simple: if Tiffany disappeared, Henry would surely love her like he used to.

So she had called Tiffany, telling her she was pregnant and that Tiffany would have a little brother.

With a little brother, Henry wouldn't love Tiffany anymore, and everything in the Hearst Family would go to him.

Tiffany, being sensitive, would surely cause a scene after hearing that.

Tiffany couldn't speak or write, so she couldn't tell Henry.

Vivian felt secure, not worried at all.

But she hadn't expected Tiffany to run away instead of causing a scene.

Vivian thought it was just as well. Without Tiffany in the way, she could definitely win Henry over and become his wife!

As for Tiffany, Vivian hoped she would die out there and never come back.

Vivian dug her nails into her palm, suppressing her excitement, forcing herself to meet Henry's gaze without revealing anything.

Henry looked at her expressionlessly, unsure if he believed her, but he finally said coldly, "You better not be lying, or else..."

He didn't finish, but the threat in his voice made Vivian's heart race with fear.

Cold sweat soaked her clothes, and she forced a smile. "Henry, how could I lie to you? I'm telling the truth."

Henry ignored her, turning to the butler. "Call the police."

The butler was startled. "Mr. Hearst, do you think Miss Hearst has been kidnapped?"

Henry's grim face said it all.

Tiffany couldn't speak, so even if she was kidnapped, she couldn't call for help.

Henry pressed his fingers to his temples, his frustration almost palpable.

"Tell the police to expand the search. We must find Tiffany today!" Henry demanded.

The butler shivered and nodded. "Yes."

Watching Henry's agitation, Vivian silently cursed Tiffany, hoping she would never be found, while pretending to be gentle and considerate, massaging Henry's temples. "Henry, don't worry too much. Tiffany will be found soon."

Henry sat still, letting her massage him.

Vivian, pleased, pressed closer.

Her ample chest brushed against Henry's arm, trying to arouse him.

But he remained unmoved, subtly distancing himself from her.

Vivian was furious. She was about to try again when Henry's phone rang.

It was an unfamiliar number. Henry almost hung up but hesitated, thinking it might be the kidnappers.

His eyes cold, he answered.

A soft, hesitant female voice came through, "Hello, are you..."

Julia wanted to say the little girl's name but realized she had never asked.

She scratched her nose awkwardly. "I found a little girl at the airport this morning. I had to leave quickly and couldn't contact her family right away. She just gave me this number. Are you her father?"

Henry's heart pounded at the sound of the voice.

It was her?

When there was no response, Julia frowned in confusion.

Could the girl's father be mute too?

She was wondering how to ask politely without offending when she heard a slow, drawn-out "Yes."

The cold tone didn't reveal anything to Julia.

She was just relieved he could speak. "We're near Hidden Flavors Bistro. Can you come pick up your daughter? I have some personal matters to attend to and can't stay with her."

The woman's voice echoed in Henry's ears, the familiar tone confirming it.

It was her!

He thought, 'Julia, how dare you come back!'