Chapter 586 Be a Little More Clear-headed
George took a deep breath and pulled out his phone, dialing quickly. "Get to Tidewater Avenue and pick up Lucas. Bring a child seat." He glanced at the back seat where Lucas was sleeping soundly.
After hanging up, George made a quick decision to turn the car around and head to the nearest five-star hotel. If he kept driving like this, he was bound to get into an accident.
The receptionist's eyes widened when she saw George, drenched from head to toe, carrying a woman with a flushed face.
"Presidential suite, right now," George demanded, slapping his black card onto the counter, his voice icy cold.
George rushed into the elevator with Emma in his arms. Her feverish body heat seeped through her soaked clothes. As soon as the elevator doors closed, Emma tilted her head up, her hazy eyes glistening, her lips brushing against his chin.
"Emma!" George growled, adjusting his hold on her. Her dress was disheveled, her shoulders exposed, rising and falling with her breaths.
The elevator stopped at the top floor. George practically bolted out, his hands shaking as he swiped the card to open the door. The lights in the presidential suite turned on automatically. He headed straight for the bathroom, placing her in the tub and turning on the cold water without hesitation.
The icy water made Emma scream, instinctively trying to climb out.
George held her shoulders firmly. "Bear with it," he rasped, his voice hoarse. "You've been drugged. We need to cool you down."
Emma blinked, her vision blurred by the drugs. The cold water soaked her dress, the fabric clinging to her body, outlining her curves. She grabbed George's wrist, pulling him closer.
"Don't go," Emma's voice was soft, almost pleading. "I'm so hot."
George's breath hitched. Emma's face was too alluring, her wet eyelashes like tiny fans, her lips unnaturally red from the drugs. He turned his face away sharply, grabbing a towel and soaking it before placing it on her forehead.
"Hang in there, it'll be over soon," George said, trying to convince both her and himself.
The next few hours were torture. Emma drifted in and out of consciousness, each time she was slightly lucid, she would shy away, but when the drugs took over, she clung to him.
"George," she said for the third time, climbing out of the tub, her wet arms wrapping around his neck. "You're so cool."
George stiffened. Her body pressed against him, every curve felt through his soaked shirt. He closed his eyes, pushing her back into the tub and adding more ice.
"Snap out of it!" he almost growled.
Emma shivered from the cold, tears welling up in her eyes. "You're being mean."
Her pitiful look made George's heart ache. He sighed, softening his voice. "I'm not being mean." He gently wiped the water from her face with a towel. "You'll understand when you're sober."
At four in the morning, Emma finally calmed down. George sat exhausted on the carpet, leaning against the tub. His shirt was wrinkled, his hair a mess from her grasping.
"George," Emma called softly. George turned immediately, seeing clarity in her eyes at last.
"Thank you," Emma's voice was light but clear.
George's throat tightened, he turned away. "Get some sleep, the drugs should be wearing off." He handed her a dry towel. "I'll be outside."
As dawn broke, George tiptoed into the bedroom. Emma was curled up in the center of the bed, sleeping soundly. He stood by the bed for a long time, finally pulling the blanket up gently.
At the desk, he left a note: [I took Lucas to school. Rest well. We'll talk about last night when you're ready. George.]
Walking out of the hotel, the morning light was just right. George took a deep breath of fresh air, remembering he had promised to take Seraphine to the amusement park today. He checked the time and quickly drove to the Stuart Villa.
"Uncle George!" Seraphine ran to him like a happy little butterfly. "You really came!"
George laughed, picking her up and spinning her around. "I wouldn't forget a promise to Seraphine."
Sophia watched from the doorway, smiling warmly. "She's been talking about seeing you since last night."
The amusement park was bustling with people. Seraphine held a cotton candy in one hand and clung to George's shirt with the other, her face flushed with excitement. "Uncle George, I want to ride the carousel!"
"Alright, whatever Seraphine wants," George said, ruffling her hair affectionately.
In the sunlight, Seraphine's smile was especially bright. She wore a pink dress, waving energetically at George from the carousel, looking like a real little princess. George stood by the fence, remembering how Lucas used to be just as lively and adorable.
"Uncle George, I want ice cream!" Seraphine tugged him towards the dessert stand after getting off the carousel.
"Okay, stay right here."
As George pulled out his wallet, a commotion erupted behind him. He turned sharply, finding the spot where Seraphine had been standing empty, only half a piece of cotton candy on the ground.
"Seraphine?" His heart clenched, he rushed over. "Seraphine!"
The crowd continued to bustle, children's laughter filled the air, but there was no sign of the little girl in pink. George's temples throbbed, the ice cream falling from his hand.
"Has anyone seen a little girl in a pink dress? About this tall!" George stopped passing visitors, his voice trembling.
The carousel operator shook his head, the balloon vendor hadn't noticed either. George pulled out his phone, his fingers shaking so badly he could barely dial.
"Mom, has Seraphine come home?" He asked urgently as soon as the call connected.
"No, isn't she with you?" Sophia's voice grew tense.
George's throat tightened. "She's missing."
The amusement park's loudspeakers began broadcasting a missing child alert, security teams started a thorough search. George combed through the entire park three times, even checking behind trash cans.
"Check the surveillance!" George stormed into the security office, his voice raw.
The footage showed that just as George turned to pay, Seraphine seemed to spot something interesting and wandered out of the camera's view.
George slammed his fist on the table, his knuckles bleeding. He immediately called Emma, but the line was busy.
"Damn it!" George cursed, red-eyed, as he ran out of the security office, contacting private investigators while continuing to search the park's surroundings.
As night fell, George's suit was soaked with sweat. He stood by the fountain, staring at his distorted reflection in the water, feeling an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
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