"Arrange a flight path immediately. To the border. Don't ask questions."
"Got it."
Erik sped through the city, reaching Graham City Airport in record time. During the drive, Bryan had been arranging the flight path. Upon arrival, Erik immediately called his contacts at the border.
"Deploy everyone. Spare no expense. Find her, no matter what. Drop whatever you're doing right now."
After hanging up, Erik went to find Janelle. He called her, but the line was constantly busy. He couldn't get through. Bryan split up to search. Since there were no direct flights from Graham City to the border region, she must be flying somewhere else to transfer.
Janelle was also constantly on the phone, instructing her own people at the border to search. Find her, at any cost. Her hands were shaking when she hung up. Five years had taught her control over her emotions, but today, she couldn't manage it. Madalyn must be terrified out there alone! Maybe she shouldn't have left her there. The nursing home environment was excellent, but what Madalyn needed most was her presence. And Madalyn had always wanted to come back; she never wanted to stay.
The boarding call for her flight sounded. Janelle, carrying nothing, moved with the crowd towards the gate. Then her phone rang. She answered.
"Where are you?" Erik's voice was slightly breathless. The airport was huge; he'd been searching but couldn't see her.
"What is it?"
"I've arranged a flight. Direct to the border." Erik was direct. He knew exactly what she needed most right now. At that moment, he spotted her. He walked over and pulled her into his arms.
"Janelle, didn't I tell you? You can come to me no matter what happens." Facing something this huge, she hadn't even considered calling him.
"Enough talk. Let's go." Erik didn't give her time to think, pulling her towards a different gate. Bryan had arranged everything; the plane was ready for immediate takeoff. Janelle let herself be led, not resisting. Madalyn's safety was paramount. She could owe Erik this favor and repay it later.
Even after boarding the plane, Janelle couldn't calm down. Seeing her state, Erik held her hand tightly.
"My people are already searching. You've made arrangements too. She'll be okay."
"Erik, I owe you."
"I volunteered. You owe me nothing."
Janelle didn't argue the point.
The flight would take over ten hours. On the plane, making calls was impossible. Janelle could only endure the wait.
Meanwhile, Amber learned Janelle had returned to the border.
"What? Are you sure the information is correct?"
"Absolutely, Mrs. Evans. Madalyn is missing."
Hearing this, Amber was elated. Tomorrow was the board meeting. Janelle leaving now gave her the perfect opportunity. Amber immediately called her contacts at the border. She needed to find Madalyn before Janelle. With Madalyn in her grasp, Janelle would be forced to obey. Amber was buzzing with excitement.
Just then, Westin returned. Seeing him, Amber remained silent. He was only back because of tomorrow's meeting, she assumed. Seeing her cold shoulder, Westin sat down beside her.
"Amber, Blue Whale Co., Ltd. is ours."
Amber finally looked at him. "Who is 'ours'? You and me? Or you and your little secretary?"
"Amber, believe me, I still love you most. I just want the child she's carrying. You know, no matter how successful I am, back in the village, people will still say I have no son."
"Westin, do you want a son that badly?" Amber felt utterly heartbroken.
"Amber, we can discuss that later. Right now, the most urgent thing is dealing with tomorrow's board meeting. I absolutely cannot lose control of Blue Whale Co., Ltd." His project had failed. Tomorrow's meeting would be disastrous for him.
"Madalyn is missing. Janelle has gone to the border. The rest is up to you." If Janelle died there, she couldn't come back to take what was theirs, could she? "Either Janelle dies, or we capture Madalyn. I've said what needs to be said. The choice is yours." What else could she do?
"Alright. I understand." Westin immediately began making arrangements. He spent a fortune, hiring people to find Madalyn. They'd never found her before, but this was a golden opportunity. Capturing Madalyn would be ideal. Otherwise... they would have to eliminate both. He didn't want to go that far, but if pushed to the brink, he would have no choice.
Three forces were now searching for Madalyn, yet she seemed to have vanished. There were no leads. Janelle's people, realizing others were also searching, had to accelerate their efforts. Madalyn was Janelle's most important person; she could not be harmed. Erik's men also noticed the competing search parties. Erik's orders were clear: Find her, at any cost. All their operations at the border ground to a halt, solely focused on finding this one woman.
Some of the men muttered amongst themselves.
"What's the deal with this woman? We've shut down all operations!"
"Stop asking stupid questions! Do what Erik says."
"I'm not complaining, just curious. Never seen Erik give an order like this before!"
The search continued. Nearly all available manpower was deployed. Still, no sign of her. Madalyn hadn't taken her phone; there was no way to track her. The only thing they could do was keep combing the streets and alleys.
On the plane, images flooded Janelle's mind – all of them involving Madalyn. The long flight stretched ahead. Janelle hadn't eaten before boarding and had no appetite now.
"Can we go any faster?" Madalyn couldn't take care of herself.
Erik sent someone to ask the pilot. The man returned quickly.
"Erik, we're at maximum speed. Going faster would be dangerous."
Janelle was consumed with anxiety but knew pushing further was reckless. "It's fine. This is okay." She couldn't risk everyone else on the plane for her sake. Perhaps she should never have left Madalyn alone in the nursing home in the first place. She knew how insecure her mother was.