?<strong>Chapter 180:</strong>


    The jet’s journey to Zroburgh stretched on for thirty-six grueling hours. Throughout this time, Reba sumbed to fainting spells repeatedly. The unpredictable weather and Adrian’s reopened wound caused the jet to make multiple unscheduledndings.


    Zroburgh was renowned for its famous amusement park, a haven of leisure and rxation for its residents. Joelle had fond memories of this ce; as a child, her father had brought her there to y. So enchanted was Joelle by the park that her father had purchased a vi there for her.


    In the first year of her marriage to Adrian, Joelle had wistfully suggested, “Adrian, let’s visit Zroburgh. We could use it as our honeymoon destination.” Adrian couldn’t recall his exact response, but he knew it wasn’t kind. The hurt look on Joelle’s face lingered in his memory.


    He had been resentful, seeing her sadness as a form of retribution for his own reluctant marriage. But now, regret gnawed at him. Why hadn’t he been morepassionate? Perhaps if he had treated her better then, the weight of his guilt could be lighter now.


    “Mr. Miller,” his assistant said, helping him to the vi’s entrance. “I’ll manage on my own,” Adrian insisted, raising a hand in a dismissive gesture. “But your injury…”


    After nearly two days of travel, Adrian’s condition had worsened, but he was indifferent. Holding his abdomen, he made his way up the steps. He rang the doorbell, longing for the sight of Joelle’s face when the door opened. He had so much he wanted to say, but fatigue weighed heavily on him.


    If he could just see Joelle, he would embrace her and vow to build a future together. He wouldn’t hold her ountable for her pregnancy; he just wanted her back by his side.


    “Hey? Who are you?” To his surprise, the door was opened by a stout elderly woman. “I’m here to see Joelle,” Adrian replied.


    “Joelle?” The woman’s face contorted in confusion. “Oh, you mean the previous owner of this vi? She’s already sold it to us.” Adrian’s heart sank. He refused to believe it. Joelle had to be hiding from him.


    “What’s going on?” Adrian, ignoring the woman’s protests, stormed into the vi, checking each room.


    “Hey! You can’t just barge in like this! Are you mad? This is my home!”


    Adrian paid no heed. Joelle had to be here!


    “Joelle!” he called out, his voice echoing through the empty rooms, but there was no reply. In the living room, he found a family photo—one that had no trace of Joelle.


    Bang! A loud bang made him turn around. The woman stood there, a gun in hand. “Get out!” shemanded. For the first time, Adrian felt a crushing sense of helplessness. It wasn’t the threat of the gun that overwhelmed him, but the realization that Joelle was nowhere to be found.


    His assistant rushed in, apologizing and pulling Adrian away from the scene. “Mr. Miller, that was too dangerous. You need to stay calm.”


    Adrian, finally regaining his senses, understood the gravity of his actions. He needed to stayposed if he was to find Joelle.


    “Call Shawn,” Adrian said.


    The assistant quickly pulled out his phone and dialed Shawn’s number, only to be met with a dead line. “Mr. Miller, the number’s been disconnected.”


    The assistant shared in his shock, staring at the phone for a moment before lowering his voice. “There’s something I recently learned…something I haven’t had a chance to tell you.”


    Adrian looked at him. Shifting ufortably, the assistant hesitated before speaking. “Watson Group dered bankruptcy not too long ago. They liquidated everything.”


    The implications of this revtion were clear even to the assistant; there was undoubtedly something suspicious at y. But now wasn’t the time for fury. Adrian needed to act fast.


    “Get in touch with Katherine,” he ordered. Shawn and Katherine were the two people closest to Joelle. If Shawn had vanished, Katherine wouldn’t just disappear too, would she?


    This time, the phone connected. Adrian snatched it from the assistant’s hand. “Where is Joelle?” he demanded.


    Katherine’s tone was sharp. “Adrian, what’s wrong with you? I already told you, Joelle is abroad. Why do you keep badgering me?”


    “Where is Joelle?”


    Though startled by his outburst, Katherine wasn’t easily intimidated. “Yelling at me won’t help you, Adrian. She didn’t tell me where she was going, and honestly, it’s a good thing she didn’t. Joelle knew you’de running to me, and frankly, I don’t know where she is.”


    Adrian clenched his jaw. “You’d better not be lying!”


    Katherine scoffed, “You’re something else, Adrian! When Joelle loved you, you couldn’t care less. And now you’re desperate to find her?”


    Ignoring her jab, Adrian pressed on, “Did you know that Joelle is pregnant?”


    The question struck Katherine like a bolt of lightning. She nearly choked on her own breath. How did he find out?


    “Pregnant? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”


    Adrian’s voice turned cold. “Deny it all you want. But if you get in touch with Joelle, tell her this: no matter where she’s hiding, I will find her—and my child.”


    “Don’t be so hasty, Adrian. The baby might not even be yours.”


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