Chapter 236 Imprisonment
Eloise heard Clio and nodded with a big smile. "Okay."
She headed over to the giant slide.
Clio took a seat on a bench by the park entrance, waiting for her.
While she waited, Clio glanced around the unfamiliar neighborhood.
Between the villas, there were lots of flowers and trees. They not only made the place look nice but also acted as barriers.
After about five minutes, Clio got up and walked towards the big slide.
She called out, "Ms. Thomas, it's time to go."
No response.
Clio raised her voice and called again.
Still nothing.
Panic set in.
She walked into the park and checked the slide.
No one was there, and it was eerily quiet.
Clio dropped to the ground, overwhelmed.
She left the park, shouting Eloise's name as she searched the neighborhood.
She combed through the entire area but couldn't find Eloise.
Desperate, Clio called Michael. "Mr. Thomas, Ms. Thomas is missing again. I lost her. It's all my fault."
She was on the verge of tears.
Michael tried to stay calm. "Clio, don't panic. Are you still at Global Horizons International School?"
Clio replied, "No. We're at Whispering Pines Estates."
Michael's brow furrowed. "Whispering Pines Estates? Isn't that where Elizabeth lives?"
Clio confirmed, "Yes."
Michael asked, "What are you doing there?"
Clio explained, "Ms. Thomas wanted to see Nolan. She said she missed him. But when we went to his classroom, his teacher said Nolan had withdrawn from school. So Ms. Thomas came to his house."
"Hurry to Whispering Pines Estates," Michael told the driver to speed up.
He kept talking to Clio in the car. "Clio, how did you lose her after leaving Nolan's house?"
Clio was anxious. "After we left, Ms. Thomas wanted to play on the slide in the neighborhood, so I waited nearby. But after just five minutes, she was gone."
Michael asked, "Slide?"
Clio said, "Yes, a giant slide. Ms. Thomas disappeared there. I searched everywhere but couldn't find her."
"Could Nolan have hidden her again?" Michael asked.
Clio said, "No. Nolan's been home the whole time and hasn't gone out."
Michael reassured her, "Clio, don't worry. Wait for me there. I'll be there soon."
When Elizabeth got home, Pearl and Nolan ran up to her, shouting, "Mom!"
Elizabeth put down her bag, squatted, and hugged them. "What did you play today?"
Pearl said, "I played hide and seek with Nolan. He always finds me quickly. I can never find him."
Elizabeth patted their heads. "Are you hungry? I'll make dinner first, then we can play together, okay?"
The doorbell rang, and Pearl ran to the intercom screen.
"Mom, it's that annoying bad man," she reported.
Elizabeth walked over and, without opening the door, activated the intercom to talk to Michael. "What are you doing here?"
"Open the door!" Michael's demanding tone made Elizabeth angry.
She said, "Michael, get this straight! This is my house! You can't just barge in whenever you want."
"Elizabeth, Eloise is missing. She disappeared here." Michael's voice was filled with urgency.
"If she's missing, go find her! What are you doing at my house?" Elizabeth thought he was being ridiculous.
Michael said, "I've called the police. The neighbors said she isn't in their homes."
Elizabeth snapped, "She's not in my house either! It's just me and the kids here. Eloise isn't here."
Michael insisted, "I don't feel assured. Let me come in and check."
Elizabeth raised her voice, "Michael, it's late. You're about to get married, and you show up at a single woman's house. If your fiancée finds out, won't she be mad at you?"
Michael said, "Mr. Soderberg is with me, so I'm not alone. You don't need to worry. I'll just take a quick look and leave. I hope you understand my feelings."
A man dressed as a police officer appeared on the screen. "Ms. Jones, I'm Officer Floyd Soderberg. Please help Mr. Thomas find his sister. He's almost going crazy with worry."
Seeing the police officer, Elizabeth felt reassured and opened the door.
Floyd and Michael walked in together.
Michael pushed open the living room door.
He scanned the room, but there was no place to hide. He shouted, "Eloise, it's me. Come home with me! Stop hiding!"
Pearl whispered to Nolan, "Nolan, he doesn't know how to play hide and seek! Who shouts so loudly? He'll definitely lose."
Elizabeth, however, was lost in thought, 'Floyd said Eloise is Michael's "sister." But Nolan said Michael doesn't have a sister in the household records. So, what does the "sister" really mean?'
She walked towards Pearl and Nolan. "Go back to your room."
Pearl and Nolan held hands and went upstairs.
Elizabeth stood a short distance from Michael, her face cold.
"Michael, because you're upset, I'll forgive your rudeness for now," Elizabeth said.
She opened the doors to each room. "You can check now if Eloise is in my house."
Michael walked to each room, but there was no sign of Eloise anywhere.
Floyd said, "Mr. Thomas, it seems your sister is indeed not here. Let's leave. We've disturbed Ms. Jones long enough."
Michael didn't respond. He squinted his eyes slightly and slowly walked towards Elizabeth.
The living room was silent, except for the sound of Michael's leather shoes on the smooth marble floor.
He got closer to Elizabeth, and when he was almost in front of her, he showed no sign of stopping.
Elizabeth was stunned by his actions.
Not finding Eloise wasn't her fault! She wasn't the one who lost Eloise.
Seeing Michael less than 1 foot away, she quickly took a step back.
But she didn't expect Michael to take a step forward as well!
She stepped back, and Michael followed.
Elizabeth retreated to the wall, with no space left to move. She stood still and looked up. "Michael! What are you doing?"
Michael's toes were already touching Elizabeth's.
He placed his arm on the wall behind Elizabeth, as if trapping her.
He slowly lowered his head, his face getting closer to Elizabeth's.
Elizabeth suddenly found it hard to breathe. Her face blushed, and her heart raced.
Elizabeth awkwardly turned her face away, stammering. "Michael, what are you doing? Mr. Soderberg is watching you. Aren't you afraid I'll accuse you of sexual harassment and have Mr. Soderberg arrest you?"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
