Moira, of course, knew that Sunny had gone abroad, but she couldn't just tell him outright.
"Has she gone missing? That's strange, where could she have gone?" Moira feigned surprise.
"Even you don't know where she is? She didn't tell you where she was headed recently?" Leo's heart sank further, sensing something was amiss.
"She didn't mention it. Oh, right, she told me she wanted to visit my mother," Moira hastily thought of a way to buy time.
"Where's your hometown? Do you have a phone number? Can you give her a call?" Leo frowned, wondering if the woman had really returned to her hometown without a word.
"I know where it is. Boss, if you want to go, I can show you the way!" Tasha interjected excitedly, seeing an opportunity to involve herself.
Moira shook her head. "My mother is old and doesn't use a phone. If Sunny's phone isn't reachable, maybe she just forgot to charge it. Why don't you wait a bit longer?"
"I can't wait any longer. I need to find her!" Leo insisted. He had to confirm her safety before he could focus on anything else.
"Fine, if you insist, I'll give you directions," Moira agreed, though inwardly she felt guilty for misleading Leo.
"I don't need directions. I know the way. How about you let me take him there?" Tasha urged, eager to accompany Leo.
Moira, though usually kind to Tasha, didn't want her to join Leo this time.
Perhaps it was her selfishness speaking.
"The place you mentioned earlier is my old home, not my mother's. You don't know the way, so it's better you don't go," Moira advised gently.
Tasha's face turned dark with frustration.
Leo wasn't interested in Tasha's offer and anxiously looked at Moira. "Then please write down the route and address for me. I'm leaving now to find her."
"Alright," Moira said, heading upstairs to write down the information.
Tasha was seething with anger.
Once Moira handed Leo the address and he hurried off, Tasha confronted her.
"Moira, did you do this on purpose?"
Moira feigned innocence. "What are you talking about?"
"How can you act like you don't know? Your daughter is with him, and you know he's my crush. Why won't you let me go with him? Are you afraid I'll steal him away? You're so heartless!"
Tasha was beside herself with rage, ready to explode.
Moira frowned. "You know he's Sunny's boyfriend. It's not appropriate for you to tag along."
Leo, having obtained the address of Sunny's grandmother, immediately contacted his two assistants to arrange two cars and set off without delay.
Sunny's grandmother lived in a small town, unreachable by plane. It would take over five hours by car via the highway.
Leo didn't care. He had a gnawing sense that something was wrong with Sunny. Could she be saying her final goodbyes to her grandmother? Was her ultimate goal to leave him?
This thought swirled in his mind like a storm, gradually taking shape.
Leo got into the car, handed the address to his assistants, and closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose.
The helplessness of the situation was palpable, and he bit his lip in determination.
If he found Sunny, he'd make sure to teach her a lesson.
How dare she cause him such distress?
Leo's search for Sunny was kept strictly confidential. He didn't even inform his brother Blake.
At the Lawrence family villa, Cedrick had moved out, leaving Benjamin as the sole resident.
Early in the morning, he was jolted awake by his mother's irate entrance, which shattered his peaceful dreams.
"Mom..." Benjamin quickly sat up in bed, relieved that Eda hadn't stayed over last night; otherwise, the situation would have been embarrassing.
Tabitha, seeing her son's drowsy face, sighed. "Get up and have breakfast. It's already this late, and you're still sleeping in, you good-for-nothing boy!"
Benjamin's face flushed red as he mumbled, "Mom, your sudden visit is because of Cedrick, isn't it?"
"Indeed, I'm here because of him. He's gone rogue, keeping me awake all night with worry!"
Tabitha said, still brimming with emotion. Last night, she'd stayed in a hotel, tossing and turning as she struggled to accept the idea of her proud eldest son marrying a female celebrity.
"Mom, there's no need to be so angry. It's just a distant relative relationship. What's there to fear? Nowadays, who cares about such things?" Benjamin, of course, defended his brother, wrapping an arm around his mother's shoulder in a comforting gesture.