Araceli POV
I finished my work and was closing my eyes, leaning back in my chair, ready to take a break.
I had only just closed my eyes when my phone suddenly rang.
Frowning, I glanced at the phone impatiently.
It was Krish and Valeria's teacher, Mayra.
I answered the phone, saying politely, "Ms. Scott?"
"Ms. Chancey!" Mayra's voice trembled. "Valeria is missing!"
"What?"
Instantly, I freaked out, and my mind went blank.
I did my best to calm down and said, "Ms. Scott, what's going on? You can talk slowly."
"Krish and Valeria are missing! I checked the surveillance video and found that Valeria ran out alone. Ten minutes later, Krish also ran out. I think he went to look for Valeria. Our security guard happened to be on shift change at that time, so he didn't notice the two kids running out of the gate..."
I hurriedly said, "I'll be right there."
Mayra and I said a few words. I grabbed the car keys and hurried outside.
Mayra blamed herself and said, "I'm sorry, Ms. Chancey. It's our responsibility. We've called the police."
I sighed slightly and hung up the phone.
After that, I called Krish's phone number.
The phone's beep sounded for a long time, but he never answered.
Where was Krish?
I was so anxious that my hands were shaking and I could hardly hold the phone.
I waited for what seemed like a lifetime before the call finally came through.
Krish's muffled voice came through with some sobs. "Mommy, Valeria is missing..."
"Tell me where you are."
I sat in the car, my hand on the steering wheel, and started the engine.
Krish sent me an address.
I said in a low voice, "Wait for me. Don't go anywhere. I'll be right over."
I stepped on the gas, and the car sped away.
Ten minutes later, I saw Krish through the window, standing on the side of the road, waiting for me, his eyes red as if he had just cried.
I pulled over and ran over to him.
"Mummy, it's my fault..."
Krish's voice choked with sobs. He burst into tears when he saw me.
I picked him up and said, "It's okay. Let's calm down first. Krish, where did you last see Valeria?"
Krish pointed to a building in front of him. "I saw Valeria running that way. I was about to go after her when a car sped past me. I was startled, and when I looked back, Valeria was gone..."
With a small sigh of relief, I looked in the direction Krish was pointing.
Luckily, nothing happened to Krish. I couldn't even imagine what would have happened if that car had hit him.
The skyscraper towered into the clouds.
I frowned slightly because I knew that it was the Royal Group's office building.
I pursed my lips and asked Krish, "Have you seen the surveillance video around here?"
Krish suddenly looked up, eyes full of tears, and shook his head.
"Mommy, I didn't bring my laptop out. My watch can't connect to the security cameras around here..."
I nodded, hugged him, and headed for the car.
We got in the car and sat in the back seat. I pulled out a laptop and handed it to Krish.
Five minutes later, all the surveillance on the road was located.
"Mommy, look! It was Valeria!"
The video paused. I looked at the little girl on the screen, and my heart skipped a beat.
Valeria was standing alone in the street, her eyes blank and confused. She closed her eyes and after a moment ran in the direction of the Royal Group's building.
Valeria's autism was so severe that she was unable to communicate with the outside world. The doctor told me never to let her go out alone.
I was such an unfit mother!
I scolded myself a million times, but I knew it was useless. The most important thing right now was to find Valeria.
I stared at the screen for a few seconds, pointed at a man on the side of the road, and slowly said, "Zoom in."
I had seen this man before. He was Melany's bodyguard!
She brought a group of people to try to kill me earlier. This man was one of them.
This was not a coincidence!
Could Valeria have been taken by Melany?
I bit my lip fiercely.
I said icily, "Krish, I know where Valeria is."
Krish froze.
He suddenly reacted to what I meant, and then the next second, he immediately looked at me in the eyes.
"Mommy, that's Melany's bodyguard, isn't it?"
Krish clenched his fist and slowly said, "Mommy, I'm coming with you."
He took a deep breath, his fingers tapping quickly on the keyboard.
If it were before, I would not have allowed him to come with me. It was too dangerous.
Now that Valeria was missing...
How dared Melany take away my daughter!
I gritted my teeth as anger consumed me like a flame.
I stepped on the gas and drove fast. I even had the urge to destroy everything.
If something happened to Valeria, I would never forgive myself for the rest of my life!
My car sped down the road. My vision was gradually blurred by tears.
The tears kept falling, but I didn't let go of the steering wheel for a moment to wipe them away.
I couldn't be vulnerable! If I was vulnerable, it would only be my children who would get hurt!
I braked sharply and stopped the car in front of Eclipse's villa.
I lived here for eighteen years and knew everything about it.
I was about to get out of the car when I saw Melany coming out of the villa.
Melany was wearing a silk dress with delicate makeup, twirling and humming, looking in a good mood.
She seemed to be going somewhere.
At this moment, I really want to rush over and beat her up, screaming at her to give me back my daughter!
Before my eyes, I saw Melany's face as she walked into the warehouse...
My two children were killed by Melany!
These words were swirling around in my head. The rage of hatred was about to burn me out. I felt like I was about to lose my mind.
The hatred in my heart never faded with the passage of time, but grew deeper and deeper...
The reason I didn't dare let the revenge process go too fast was because of Krish and Valeria. If I was found out and something happened to me, what would happen to my two children? They couldn't be without their mother.
However, I never thought Melany would kidnap Valeria...
I couldn't take it anymore.
This had to end now!
I gritted my teeth, trembled, and took a pistol out of my bag...