Chapter 491 In Search of their Son
Alan's revelation was unexpected, "She's been in Country M the whole time! We were completely off track, thinking she'd fled overseas. After she left Saint Mary's, she vanished into a small town, and we've finally found where she's been hiding. But the thing is..."
Alan paused, causing Martin's concern to deepen. "The thing is what?"
Alan replied reluctantly, "She doesn't have the baby with her."
"Where in Country M is she now?"
"I've sent the details to your cell phone. Do you want us to bring her in for questioning?"
After a brief contemplation, Martin made a decisive call. "No, bringing her in might complicate things. I'll handle it myself. If the child is still in Country M, I'll find him."
"I'll come with you," Alan offered.
"No, you're needed here. I'll take Carter with me."
Carter would be more useful to bring along, as he had business interests in Country M. The new company Martin was setting up with Jeremy had its headquarters there too.
After wrapping up with Alan, Martin swiftly contacted Carter, who arranged a private jet without hesitation. With everything in place, Martin started packing his bags.
Patricia was playing with Maria when she noticed Martin had returned to the bedroom from the study. Scooping up Maria, she followed him and found him packing a suitcase. Curiosity piqued, she asked, "Are you packing for a business trip?"
"Yes," Martin said, neatly folding clothes and placing them in the suitcase. "The company needs to negotiate an overseas partnership in Europe, and I have to go handle it personally."
Patricia gently placed Maria into his arms. "Since you're leaving soon, why not spend a little time with Maria? I can finish the packing."
Martin didn't object. He sat down on the bed, set Maria in front of him, picked up a toy drum from the nightstand, and started entertaining her. "Should I have a couple of maids from the Ellenstein Villa District come over to help you out? I'm not comfortable leaving you to take care of four kids on your own."
Patricia shook her head. "That won't be necessary. I'll just call Jade to give me a hand. Maria is very cooperative, and the other three are growing up. Not to mention, we have a nanny. I don't like the house being too crowded."
After considering for a moment, Martin agreed. "Alright, I'll ask my brother to drop by occasionally to check on you."
Patricia frowned slightly, a touch of surprise in her voice. "Do you expect to be away for long?"
Did contract negotiations take that long?
Martin, not wanting to worry her with the details, said, "This situation is a bit tricky; it might take some time."
Patricia, still worried, asked, "Is there any danger?"
Martin gave her a gentle smile. "It's just business talks. What's dangerous about those?"
Her hands paused while folding a shirt. A subtle unease lingered in her heart, but she brushed it off, saying, "Just hurry back when you're done."
Martin arched an eyebrow playfully. "Missing me already? I haven't even left yet."
His teasing ignited a blush in Patricia. She gave him a stern look, saying, "Of course. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. So, finish your business and hurry back. Or else, I'll come after you."
Martin nodded. "Sure. I'll come back as soon as I handle everything. Please wait for me."
Though Patricia intended to accompany Martin to the airport, Maria's drowsiness altered their plans. With a heavy heart, she bid farewell to Martin at the elevator, cradling Maria back to their apartment once the doors had shut.
...
Martin met up with Carter at the airport, and shortly thereafter, their plane ascended into the sky. Hours passed in the air before they finally touched down at Country M's international airport.
Arriving in the early hours, Martin and Carter found the airport nearly empty. Carter's arranged vehicle awaited them outside, and they immediately hit the road straight to their destination.
It was during this drive that Carter finally learned the purpose of their visit to Country M. "So, Patricia had twins, but the boy went missing?"
Gazing at the fleeting nighttime scenery outside the car window, Martin replied with a somber voice, "Yeah. The whole purpose of this trip is to find my son."
Carter, taken aback, said, "Patricia's fertility sure is something. Five children from just two pregnancies!"
Martin was speechless. Was that really important? Shouldn't they focus on his son's whereabouts?
Leaning in close to Martin, Carter whispered, "Boss, how many do you reckon Patricia will have next time? Do you think it could be quadruplets?"
His tone was unabashedly eager and hopeful. "Don't laugh; I'm genuinely curious. I mean, I've lived for over twenty years, and I've never seen quadruplets."
Receiving a stern look from Martin, Carter quieted down, and the conversation shifted.
Martin diverted his gaze back to the outside world, saying with conviction, "Both pregnancies were accidents. I won't let it happen a third time. Patricia's life shouldn't be defined just by childbearing."
Carter was stunned, hardly able to believe Martin would say something like that. The dim, flickering streetlights cast a half-shadow over Martin, making it hard to see his face, but the seriousness in his tone was unmistakable. Carter fell into a reflective silence, pondering deeply on his friend's words.
Isabella had sequestered herself in a little village nestled in the mountains.
Upon reaching a suitable spot, the driver halted at the roadside, prompting Martin and Carter to disembark and continue their journey on foot. The path ahead, mercifully devoid of potholes, offered them smooth passage. A brisk half-hour walk brought them to the quaint mountain village Isabella called home.
In the hush of the early morning, the village lay serene, its stillness punctuated only by the harmonious chirping of crickets and the rhythmic croaking of cicadas.
Martin and Carter, checking each house number as they went, searched for a while until they found Isabella's place at the very end of the last row.
Contrasting with the predominantly two or three-story buildings in the village, Isabella's stood out as an old adobe, a remnant from an earlier time. The monsoon season had draped its exterior walls in a veil of moisture, and a distinct, musty aroma wafted through the air even before they approached the doorstep.
Exchanging glances, Martin raised his hand and knocked on the weathered wooden door. It creaked and groaned with his every touch, as though it might collapse at any moment.
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