With Graham’s agreement to assist, Lucinda’s demeanor softened, yet her warning wasced with caution.


    “You’vemitted to this task.


    Should N and Danilo elude us, for any reason, I’ll take it as your decision to align with her, opting to stand by idly,” she stated firmly.


    Lucinda was well aware of Graham’s influence.


    Despite his temporary step back from the business scene, hiswork remained intact.


    If he chose to act, sess was almost certain.


    In essence, Lucinda would tolerate no excuses for failure.


    The responsibility, she implied, would squarely fall on Graham’s shoulders should they not manage to detain N and Danilo.


    Graham received her message loud and clear, responding with a nod, “Understood.


    I’m on it immediately.


    ”


    With N and Danilo’s flight scheduled for 11 PM, they had only a few hours remaining.


    Lucinda’s role now was to await Graham’s execution of their n.


    She extended her hand for the paternity test report, which Graham returned to her before attending to the task at hand with his phone.


    Giving Graham the privacy he needed to work, Lucinda excused herself and descended the stairs to discuss the situation concerning N with Violeta and Jennifer.


    After ensuring Lucinda’s safe return, Nathan made his way back to the Paynes’ house.


    As the evening deepened, with Norton yet to awaken from his induced rest, the Payne family remained gathered, hesitant to leave his side.


    Nathan, choosing not to join the anxious assembly inside, paused in the garden, his gaze fixed through the window at the tableau within the brightly lit vi.


    Kern and Sonny, standing a step behind, awaited his direction.


    Nathan broke the silence with a query about Ronan.


    “Ronan was thest to see Grandpa and I heard he wept at Grandpa’s bedside while Grandpa was in aa.


    Where’s he now?” he pondered aloud.


    Kern, puzzled, replied, “Mr.


    Ronan Payne was in the living room after he was asked to leave the old master’s room.


    We’ve had eyes on him the whole time-he may have gone to the toilet.


    I’ll have it checked.


    ”


    Nathan acknowledged this with a nod.


    Ronan’s absence at such a crucial juncture painted him a suspect in Nathan’s mind, a notion he found disheartening given Ronan’s familial ties.


    Shortly, Kern returned with unsettling news.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    “Mr.


    Ronan Payne has vanished.


    Despite being watched, he’s somehow slipped away.


    ”


    With Ronan missing, Nathan knew immediate action was necessary.


    He instructed Sonny, “Review the surveince footage from our garage.


    If Ronan’s left in a vehicle, find him without dy.


    ”


    “Understood.


    ” Sonny promptly left for the task.


    Nathan was still in his military uniform, his expression unwavering as he made his way into the living room.


    His entrance halted the scattered conversations among those gathered in the hall.


    They rose to their feet, a murmur of “Mr.


    Payne” greeting him.


    Nathan acknowledged the greeting with a minimal nod, his focus undeterred.


    Choosing not to settle into thefort of the main sofa, he positioned himself in the open area across from the tea table, facing his rtives squarely.


    Addressing them, he conveyed, “Hilliard and our medical team are tending to Grandpa upstairs.


    They’re well-equipped to ensure his recovery.


    Considering the hour, there’s no further need for you all to remain.


    Please, feel free to head home.


    ”