"Grandma, someone's here to see you!" Christian looked towards the door.
Evelyn tucked the convenience paper into her pocket, and her lackluster eyes also turned towards the door weakly as she stood up.
She had been hiding on X Hill, could it be him coming again?
Seeing Evelyn getting up, Christian hurriedly went up to support her, volunteering, "Grandma, I'll go open the door!"
Evelyn's eyes softened, patting Christian's little chubby hand, "Go ahead!"
Christian flashed his white teeth and dashed over on his little legs.
The room door opened, and standing outside were the innkeeper and a group led by Dominic.
Dominic's face was as cold as if someone owed him ten million, plus three drunken thugs accompanying him. No matter how you looked at it, they didn't seem friendly.
Evelyn hurried over, wanting to protect Christian.
When Bianca saw Christian appearing intact before her eyes, she let out a sigh of relief but also pinched a sweat for Christian.
He was leaving without saying goodbye and going with strangers, if her brother got angry and scolded him, the little guy would be in big trouble!
However, before Evelyn could get closer and before Bianca could finish sighing, Christian, fearless, had already rushed forward and hugged Dominic's long legs.
"Dad, I miss you so much, even though I've only been away from you for a short while, I miss you so much that it hurts!"
If these words were said by someone else, they would definitely sound oily, but coming from the clever little guy Christian's mouth, they felt particularly endearing and funny.
The anger on Dominic's face dissipated visibly, and he allowed Christian to cling to him without pushing him away. Instead, he sharply glanced at the pale-faced Evelyn.
Upon seeing Evelyn, he hesitated imperceptibly.
As soon as Evelyn heard Christian calling Dominic 'dad,' the tension she had been holding onto instantly dissipated.
Evelyn wasn't stupid; she could see that this group of people urgently coming here must have misunderstood something. She felt the need to explain for Christian.
"Mr. La Rosa, Christian has a kind heart. He specifically brought me back because he saw that I wasn't feeling well. You have raised him very well. Please don't blame him."
Christian introduced himself, and Evelyn naturally assumed that Dominic's last name was also La Rosa.
Dominic raised an eyebrow but didn't seem to have any intention of correcting Evelyn's assumption. After learning the situation, he nodded slightly, single-handedly lifted Christian, and turned to leave.
Evelyn didn't expect Dominic to be so decisive. After a slight pause, she looked worriedly after him.
She saw Christian leaning on the man's shoulder, waving to her while admonishing her. "Goodbye, Grandma! You should go to the hospital if you still feel unwell later!"
"Okay! I know." Evelyn also waved goodbye, and inexplicably, her eyes became moist.
She didn't know why, but the care from this unfamiliar child made her feel particularly warm.
Leaving the inn, the few thugs, seeing that Dominic didn't intend to settle the score further, quickly left.
On the way back, as soon as Dominic's group reached halfway, they ran into Jessie bringing people over.
"Mr. Carter, Bianca!"
Jessie ran over as soon as he saw Dominic's group. Her high heels were walking too fast, almost tripping, but fortunately, Dylan, who was closer to her, reached out to support her.
The soft fragrance fell into his arms, and Dylan's heart skipped a beat.
Wrapped in the unfamiliar masculine scent, Jessie also stiffened for a moment, her brain feeling as if it had been deprived of oxygen for three seconds, and her little deer heart bumped.
It was only at this moment that the hand holding her waist exerted a slight force. Jessie instinctively looked up at Dylan's face.
Dylan raised an eyebrow with a hint of teasing, and in a voice only the two of them could hear, he said in her ear, "How long do you want to stay in my arms?"
Jessie instantly sprang up, glared at Dylan, and pretended to tidy up her messy hair, looking towards Christian in Dominic's arms.
"Christian, are you okay?"
"I am fine. I made you worried, I'm sorry!" Christian apologized sincerely.
He knew that running away without saying goodbye was very bad behavior, but he couldn't just stand by and watch the grandmother who made him feel particularly close get into trouble.
Perhaps he didn't consider it thoroughly enough.
"It's okay, as long as you're okay!" Jessie affectionately patted Christian's head.
Children who can distinguish right from wrong and bravely admit their mistakes are always likable.
Seeing Jessie finish greeting, Bianca asked with concern, "Jessie, what about Elle?"
"The on-duty manager sent her back."
"That's good!" Bianca nodded, urging, "Then let's go back quickly. If Alessia knows Christian is missing, she'll definitely be worried!"
No one objected, and the group returned to the villa.
Back at the residence.
Christian, who ran upstairs first, noticed that there was no light in Alessia's room and felt strange.
Did Mommy know he was missing and didn't leave a light for him?
Ah... Mommy still trusts him so much!
Christian sighed, and the little figure pushed open the door to the room.
The moment he entered the room, the lamp on the bedside lit up.
Alessia sat up with the covers around her, "You're back? Tired, huh?"
"Mommy, I'm not tired. I'm not sleepy at all." Christian shook his head.
"Well, go wash up and sleep." Alessia mumbled sleepily.
Christian obediently walked to the washroom with his short legs.
Alessia suddenly realized something was wrong and called out to him, "Chris, what about Elle? Did she go to sleep with your dad?"
Chrsitian paused, "Mommy, didn't Elle come back already?"
"When did she come back? Who did she come back with? Why didn't I know?" Alessia asked in three consecutive questions, putting on her shoes and getting out of bed.
Christian realized instantly that something was wrong and turned around to run out, his little legs carrying him downstairs.
Downstairs, Dominic and the others had just arrived in the living room, and when they saw Christian's anxious look, they furrowed their brows.
Although Christian was worried about his sister, he was usually very smart, and at this moment, he was clear-headed.
He went straight to Jessie and said, "Aunt, Elle hasn't come back yet. Where's the lady who was supposed to bring her back? Let's quickly contact her and ask about the situation!"
Not back yet?!
Jessie frowned immediately.
The expressions of everyone present also changed accordingly.
With doubts arising, everyone, being accustomed to handling such situations, immediately set out to gather information.
Jessie went to find the duty manager herself, Bianca called the front desk to inquire about the situation.
Dominic stood by, listening to Bianca's phone call.
Alessia, who had followed Christian downstairs, felt anxious upon hearing his words, but she still hugged him first.
"It's my fault." Christian, usually lively, had a hint of unease in his eyes.
"How did Mommy teach you?" Alessia gently asked while stroking Christian's head.
Christian and Eleanor had always been close. If Elle was lost, Christian certainly didn't do it intentionally. And it was evident that Christian was already blaming himself. If she scolded him again, it would only make him feel worse.
Moreover, this wouldn't help in finding Elle at all.
Christian sniffled, tightened his small fists, and looked up with determination, "When faced with difficulties and unforeseen circumstances, bravely confront them. Self-blame won't solve any problems."
"Good boy, your sister won't get lost, and even if she does, Mommy will find her." Alessia reassured Christian, giving him enough confidence.
"Yeah!" Christian nodded heavily.
After guiding her younger son's emotions, Alessia prepared to listen to the situation of Bianca's phone call.
When she looked up, she saw Dominic looking at her with deep eyes.
At that moment, Alessia felt that Dominic's attitude seemed to have changed, but before she could delve into it, Dominic had already averted his gaze.
The call went through, and the front desk had no information about Elle's disappearance.
Soon, the feedback from Jessie came back.
"Elle is usually smart; she should have almost reached the residence. How could she get lost?" Bianca said disbelievingly.
"Perhaps someone from the villa took Elle away!" Dylan speculated.
"The security department at the front desk is already reviewing the surveillance footage." Bianca said, "But it will take some time. Let's hope it's not a kidnapping."
As Bianca spoke, she seemed to remember something, her face suddenly turned pale, and her whole body began to tremble.
Dominic poured a cup of hot water and handed it to Bianca, then turned to Christian and said, "Christian, stay here with your Auntie and wait for our news. The rest of you, go to the security department at the front desk first."
Alessia had no objection to Dominic's arrangement. After all, only after checking the surveillance could they know what happened to Elle...
This way, their search wouldn't be like a headless fly.
When everyone left, Christopher and Riley, who were awakened by the commotion, were also left behind.
But one was a child and the other was injured, so they were both left behind.
***