The day was busy from start to end. Just as I thought the work was winding down, Benjamin said the warehouse inventory was done, and we needed a quick meeting.I hurried to the small conference room. I needed to get back soon and surprise my daughter. The morning scene hadn't faded from my mind. I was sure my daughter felt the same. Let them look, I stubbornly decided. I wanted to see how they felt.After all, Ava was a child of the Murphy family.But to my surprise, the meeting ended abruptly. Before it was over, I received a frantic call from my mother, sobbing and wailing. She said Ava was missing.This was a nightmare come true. I didn't even bother to wrap up the meeting and rushed out. How could an obedient child like her just vanish?I descended the stairs, and Carol followed. She took the car keys from my hand, hopped in, and we sped out of the underground parking lot.We made it back to Amethyst Apartments. From a distance, I saw my mother on her knees, gasping between

My mind went blank. I dialed Atlas's number almost frantically as I clenched the phone. I could feel my whole body trembling uncontrollably.He answered quickly, but before he could say a word, I shouted, "Atlas, were you at Amethyst Apartments when you got off work?!"All I could see was Ava standing at the door, looking lost and disappointed as the car pulled in."I haven't been there," His voice came through, sure and steady. "What's wrong? What happened?""That was your car, and it took Ava away! Bring her back to me!" I screamed, my voice breaking upon hearing his denial.I dropped the phone, the impact with the floor almost drowned out by my sobs.Ava must have recognized someone in that car, prompting her to run out and chase after it without a second thought. Only Atlas could make her brave enough to chase after a car alone.As this realization hit me, my heart ached even more. "Ava..."Carol and the others finally returned from checking the area. Their expressions were

We got into the car together, and it sped off. Though I felt a sense of safety, my heart was still racing. Ava had never been separated from someone she knew. Now, she was being taken somewhere unknown. She must be frightened.I felt my heart crush as I trembled uncontrollably. My precious girl! Would she be scared? Would anything happen to her?I prayed silently. My darling, be strong. Mommy will find you, and Uncle Atlas won't let anything happen to you.Atlas's arm wrapped me, holding me close and gently patting my arm. The car raced to the motor vehicle department. We all exited quickly.There were already people waiting there. No one said more than necessary. Dylan communicated with them, checking every car that left Amethyst Apartments during that period.On the large screen in the hall, cars kept flashing by. I was so nervous that it felt like I couldn't breathe. I had no idea which one my daughter was in in this sea of cars.Suddenly, Dylan shouted, "Stop!"We all turn

As the image of that car appeared, everyone in the hall gasped.The license plate appeared to be quickly replaced after the car trunk popped open, with the trunk jumping up and down. The car kept moving slowly, never stopping. This subtle change was hard to notice.Atlas caught onto this clue.A police officer beside Dylan immediately instructed his subordinate, "Zoom in on that license plate and find the owner!" Soon, the information came back. The plate was fake and was registered to a large truck. I stared at the big screen in despair, afraid the car would disappear again.Presumably, they had used this clever trick to swap out the front plate earlier. So, this car seemed to vanish into thin air right before everyone's eyes.We could conclude that our previous speculation about child abduction for ransom was unfounded. This was a premeditated kidnapping.I was stunned by this scene, my mind racing, wondering who could do such a thing. What were their intentions? Why take my

Atlas clasped my hand in his, but neither of us spoke. He simply cradled me in his arms. He looked at me, then gently rested his chin on my forehead. "I promise Ava will be safe."I reached out and hugged him tightly, burying my face in his neck. "Atlas, save her... She's so young and always so well-behaved. She must’ve seen something. Otherwise, she wouldn't have dared to chase after that car.""Don't cry! I understand." Atlas patted my head."That car... Something in it must have attracted her. I thought it was you. She must’ve seen you, that's why she chased after it... This morning, she asked me when you’d return from your business trip. She wanted to travel with you..." I choked on my sobs.I broke down in Atlas's arms, completely losing control."She must’ve felt so lonely. When my mom wanted to see her this morning, she refused and asked if her grandmother would bully me. She's so young, yet she already knows how to protect me. But I couldn't protect her. It's all my faul

The car burst forth as it chased the elusive tail lights ahead. I was sure those tail lights belonged to the same black car. At that moment, I wished I could grow wings and fly to my daughter’s side.I didn’t want to be afraid, thinking I would replace Ava in that car. Night had fallen, and the streetlights were far behind us, making everything look hazier.Just then, the car navigated through a sloping bend in the road. There was a dense forest on the right and a steep valley on the left, with our car being lower and the other higher.Our car wasn’t slow, and I knew the driver had professional training. He handled the speed and curves exceptionally. I saw the other car despite the darkness. We could catch up to them once we made it around this bend.I didn’t stop looking at the other car as I grew more anxious. There weren’t many cars on this road, especially in this winding section. Although the slope wasn’t steep, it seemed endless. I was relieved we were about to catch up, but

The child’s cry startled me, causing my ears to perk up as I told Atlas, “Listen, it’s Ava!”We strained our ears to listen for her amid the helicopters above us."It must be Ava!" I took advantage of Atlas’s brief distraction and leaped out of the car. The wind from the helicopters made it difficult for me to stand steadily.Atlas held me firmly from behind and said, “Get back in the car and listen to me! They’re searching for her!”“Let me go! I can hear her crying!” I struggled and pushed against Atlas.Ava’s cries were unbearable, and I knew she was nearby. Suddenly, one of the aides in the car ran over to inform Atlas, “They’re on the bridge!”Atlas and I were shocked. A moment later, Atlas caught me and brought me back into the car, sternly ordering the driver, “Let’s go!”The driver sped toward the bridge, and we soon saw Dylan’s group forming a blockade. Our car screeched to a halt before them, and I got out to look ahead. Those who were initially facing the car turned b

I watched as Atlas fearlessly approached the man on the bridge. My sobs and movements suddenly stopped. I was in disbelief, wondering why Atlas would walk ahead like that.I understood Atlas’s intentions when he gestured for the others to stop. I broke down again and tearfully told Dylan, “No, don’t! Tell Atlas to come back! Dylan, stop him!”Upon hearing my cries, Dylan handed me to two nearby bodyguards. "Protect Ms. Chloe."As he rushed toward Atlas, two gunshots sounded, the bullets hitting the ground near Dylan. I faintly heard the burly man shouting, “Stay back!”He warned Dylan not to approach but allowed Atlas to go ahead. I watched Atlas’s determined and steady figure stride toward the burly man as the latter pointed his gun at Atlas.Dylan advanced again, and another gunshot sounded. Atlas signaled Dylan not to come closer, and I was terrified. My beloved daughter was on the bridge, and so was Atlas. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing either.I wanted to save Ava but

Every movement on the bridge kept everyone's hearts pounding. Dylan's expression was grim as he clenched his fists. Meanwhile, the cops taking cover behind the car doors were on high alert.We were on edge as the situation left us feeling helpless. Atlas took two more steps, but the man roared, “Stop! You wouldn’t want…”His words were intermittent, indicating Atlas was trying to reason with him. I suspected Atlas knew the man.Meanwhile, Ava’s voice faded like she would run out of breath. My heart ached, and I felt suffocated. However, I knew no one dared to make any sudden moves. Everyone feared agitating the man who might let her go.For some reason, the man became agitated. He repeatedly pointed the gun at Atlas, shouting angrily. After his outburst, he threw Ava into the air, and she plummeted toward the surface. As that happened, the man leaped from the overpass and plunged downward.Immediately after, I heard several gunshots. I gasped and screamed maniacally, “No!”Simult

Ava continued to sob as the car sped toward the hospital. She clutched Atlas’s shirt, afraid he would disappear if she let go. She gazed at him and could hardly breathe from crying so much.I felt my heart shatter as her cries rendered me speechless. My daughter had always been well-behaved and had never cried so hard before. She kept shaking her head and repeating, “No!” no matter how much I tried to comfort her.Atlas held her and assured her, “I’m here now, so you don’t need to be afraid anymore. Ava, look at me. I won’t let you go, okay?”I was in disbelief at the usually commanding Atlas being so tender and protective toward my daughter. Although I was there, he showed no intention of letting her go. Instead, he continued to soothe and hold her.His usually indifferent expression now bore a look of fatherly love. It filled me with gratitude and a sense of security.My daughter hadn’t felt a dad’s love for so long, making me feel guilty. However, Atlas filled that gap in her h