\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 69 The Search Begins\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
After all, he held no affection for her, and she had no desire to continue sharing a life with him either.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent suddenly spoke again, his voice cutting through the tension, \u201cIt\u2019s about Vanessa.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett remained composed, her tone consistently detached. \u201cVincent, I\u2019ve made myself perfectly clear-I am stepping back from Vanessa\u2019s life. Unless it\u2019s a matter of critical importance, you don\u2019t need to inform me. You have full authority to make decisions for her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He had invoked Vanessa\u2019s name, betting that Scarlett couldn\u2019t possibly be so callous toward their daughter. Yet, to his astonishment, she seemed to have genuinely severed that emotional tie.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cScarlett, you\u2026\u201d He was left speechless, grasping for words that wouldn\u2019t come.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett continued, her voice firm, \u201cAnd even if it is something significant, it can wait until I return to discuss.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Return?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent latched onto the word. \u201cWhere are you right now?\u201d he asked, an unfamiliar urgency in his voice. \u201cI\u2019ll come pick you up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
>\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was the first time he had ever offered her a ride.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett was momentarily taken aback, then let out a soft, bitter laugh. \u201cVincent, you\u2019re asking me where I am?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent replied, \u201cYes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her laugh grew even more laced with irony. \u201cDon\u2019t you know better than anyone where I ended up? Why even ask?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beneath her calm exterior, a deep-seated anger simmered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent was genuinely perplexed. \u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cVincent, drop the innocent act,\u201d Scarlett retorted, her patience snapping. \u201cThe state of our relationship is largely your doing. I have no desire to see you. Unless it\u2019s truly urgent, don\u2019t call me again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
With that, she ended the call decisively, without a moment\u2019s hesitation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Back in the study, Vincent stared at the abruptly terminated call, a wave of inexplicable, frustrated anger washing over him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The screen went black. He slammed the phone down onto the polished surface of his desk, the sharp crack echoing in the quiet room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just then, the study door swung open.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was Sabrina. She was about to speak, but Vincent, assuming it was a maid, preemptively bit out, \u201cGet out.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His tone was harsh, laced with his lingering irritation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
173\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:06 Thu, Jan 8 G\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 69 The Search Begins\u00a0<\/p>\n
54\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Realizing his mistake, Sabrina didn\u2019t retreat. Instead, she moved further into the room, coming to stand behind his chair. \u201cVincent, what\u2019s troubling you?\u201d she asked, her voice soft and concerned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent turned to look at her, his expression softening marginally. \u201cIt\u2019s nothing,\u201d he finally replied.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sensing his unwillingness to discuss it, Sabrina didn\u2019t press. She set the bowl she was carrying gently on his desk. \u201cI made you some soup. Please try it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent offered a noncommittal grunt. \u201cMm.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll leave you to your work, then,\u201d Sabrina said, preparing to withdraw.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent gave a curt nod. \u201cYeah.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sabrina turned and walked toward the door. But after only a few steps, Vincent\u2019s voice stopped her. \u201cSabrina.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes?\u201d She turned back, her eyes wide and shimmering with what seemed like unshed tears.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent walked over to her, a gentle smile gracing his lips-a stark contrast to his earlier demeanor. \u201cYou\u2019ve been working very hard lately. Thank you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sabrina shook her head modestly. \u201cIt\u2019s really no trouble at all.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there\u2019s anywhere you\u2019d like to go, just tell me,\u201d Vincent offered. \u201cI\u2019ll take you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A pleased smile touched Sabrina\u2019s lips. \u201cLet me think about it. I\u2019ll let you know once I\u2019ve decided.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent nodded. \u201cAlright. You should get some rest now. Don\u2019t stay up too late.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI will. Goodnight,\u201d Sabrina replied before finally exiting the study.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent remained standing there for a while longer, but soon a small voice piped up from the doorway. \u201cDad?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are you still awake?\u201d Vincent turned to find Vanessa standing there, clad in her little nightdress, her hair loose around her shoulders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa shuffled into the room, clutching her favorite dinosaur plushie tightly. \u201cI thought I heard you yelling at Sabrina earlier.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A faint, almost imperceptible laugh escaped Vincent. He reached out and gently pinched her cheek. \u201cYou must have misheard. I would never yell at Sabrina.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa\u2019s small brow remained furrowed. \u201cDid Mom make you angry, then?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A shadow passed over Vincent\u2019s features. \u201cVanessa, don\u2019t worry about such things. Your mother doesn\u2019t possess the capacity to anger me anymore.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa lowered her head, her small shoulders slumping with a palpable sadness. \u201cBut Dad\u2026 I haven\u2019t seen Mom in such a long time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent\u2019s heart ached for his daughter. He pulled her into a hug. \u201cDo you miss her?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:06 Thu, Jan 8\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 69 The Search Begins\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa shook her head against his chest, her voice muffled. \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
54\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent could see the longing in her eyes. He softened his voice, offering comfort. \u201cI\u2019ll find some time to speak with your mom, alright?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa nodded, though she still looked uncertain. She glanced back at him several times as she finally. made her way out of the study and back toward her bedroom.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sabrina was wonderful, and her dad was the best, but a part of her still yearned for Scarlett\u2019s affection, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next day, Vincent obtained Scarlett\u2019s work address from Abbott.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After wrapping up his own pressing commitments at the company, he drove directly to the hospital\u2019s main entrance. His plan was to wait for Scarlett to finish her shift and speak with her privately in his car.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But he waited for a long time. He watched the staff changeover, the day shift leaving and the evening shift arriving, yet Scarlett never appeared.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Convinced she must have returned to Theron Manor, he drove there next, certain he would intercept her at her family home.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He waited there until eight o\u2019clock in the evening, but there was still no sign of her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He tried calling her phone repeatedly, but each attempt went straight to voicemail.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His patience thoroughly exhausted, Vincent finally decided to take matters into his own hands. He strode purposefully through the gates of Theron Manor and headed straight for the main house.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The household staff moved to intercept him, but recognizing his status and authority, they hesitated, ultimately not daring to physically restrain him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He made it all the way to the main hall before a small, defiant figure spotted him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clara planted herself squarely in his path, her little hands on her hips. \u201cYou! How did you get in here? Get out! We don\u2019t want any heartless people in this house!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
1.0K\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:06 Thu, Jan 8 G\u00a0<\/p>\n
Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer\u2019s Begs\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 69 \u00a0 Chapter 69 The Search Begins\u00a0 Finished\u00a0 After all, he held […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-impossible-condition-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27433","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27433"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27433\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27433"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27433"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27433"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}