?


    The first room-empty.


    The second room-also empty.


    By the time N had checked every room, there was still no sign of Mason. Her patience was wearing thin, and her emotions were teetering on the edge of breaking.


    Gabriel''s voice broke the tense silence behind her. "N, don''t worry. Buddy is in a very safe ce. You just need to—"


    p!


    Before he could finish, N spun around and pped him hard across the face.


    The crisp sound echoed down the hallway, plunging it into silence.


    A bright red handprint bloomed on Gabriel''s cheek, stark and ring. Yet, instead of anger, he let out a faintugh. "N, you still don''t trust me, do you? You still think I''d hurt you, is that it?"


    N''s gaze was icy. "I''ll ask you one more time. Where is Buddy? If you don''t tell me, I''ll call the police."


    Gabriel might use gentle words, but his actions spoke differently. From his underhanded tactics that had brought down Prospectus Technology to taking Mason without her consent, everything he did only hurt her. His so-called love was just a disguise for his selfish desires.


    "I already told you, Buddy is safe. I promise, if you let me show you around the vi, I''ll take you to him," Gabriel tried to reason.


    N didn''t even spare him another nce as she brushed past him and headed quickly downstairs.


    When she reached the living room, Gabriel blocked her path again. "N, do you really have to treat me so heartlessly?"


    His smile had vanished, reced with a dark, threatening expression.


    Upon sensing the change in his demeanor, N''s hands curled into fists at her sides.


    That unsettling feeling-like being watched by a snake-crept over her, sending a chill down her spine.


    She pressed her lips together. After


    Ine


    a moment of silence, she spoke


    through this vi with you, you''ll let


    coldly. You swear that if I way to ter


    me take Buddy with me?"  S


    Gabriel smiled again, but it was a chilling one. "Of course. I wouldn''t lie to you."


    "Fine. Let''s hope you keep your word," N replied.


    "You can trust me," Gabriel said smoothly.


    As he led her through the vi, he enthusiastically pointed out the designs and features, describing in detail how he had arranged everything during the renovations. It was clear the decor reflected the styles she had once liked.


    But what she liked in the past didn''t mean she liked it now.


    Suppressing her growing difort, N forced herself to endure the tour until they''d seen every corner of the vi.


    "We''ve seen the vi. Now, can I see Buddy?" she demanded.


    Gabriel paused, his gaze flickering under her icy stare. "N, don''t rush. Why don''t we sit for a bit first?"


    Before she could respond, her phone buzzed with a message from Vrie. She nced at the screen and let out a coldugh. "No need. I already know where Buddy is."


    With that, she turned on her heel and strode toward the door.


    Gabriel''s gaze darkened as he motioned for a maid to block her path.


    "N, this ce is perfect. Why leave? Stay here. I''ll have Buddy brought over so the three of us can live together, safe and happy. How does that sound?"


    N turned back, her expression nk. "I called the police on my way here. They should be arriving any minute. Save your words for them."


    As soon as she finished speaking, the wail of police sirens echoed from outside the vi.


    Momentster, two officers entered the living room.


    N stepped forward. "Officers, I''m the one who called. This man took my child from his kindergartene without my consent and refuses to tell me where he''s being held."