Chapter 66 A Glimmer Of Hope
For a split second, Rachel felt like the world had stopped turning. Fear for Jeffrey’s safety clawed at her chest. She prayed with all her heart that he was safe.
She sucked in a shaky breath, balling her hands into fists, trying desperately to keep herself together.
“I’ll contact the police. Samira, Trey, you two take different routes and check every
corner of the streets.”
“Understood.”
Without wasting another second, they scattered in different directions.
As she hurried along, Rachel repeatedly tried calling Jeffrey.
No matter how many times she dialed, his phone remained
off.
Deep down, she knew he wouldn’t pick up after sending that text.
Still, she couldn’t stop hoping.
At the same time, Brian’s calls kept coming in. Every time, she just ignored it.
She glanced at the growing list of missed calls and scoffed. The thought of facing Brian
made her blood boil.
Did he ever stop to consider the damage he’d done when he humiliated Jeffrey like that?
When he blindly took Doris’s side, how arrogant he had been. And now, he had the audacity to act concerned?
If Jeffrey was harmed in any way, she would never, ever forgive Brian.
The night air was sharp and merciless, slicing through her like ice.
Rachel’s whole body was freezing, but she didn’t even feel it.
As soon as she reached the police station, she pushed open the car door and hurried
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Chapter 66 A Glimmer Of Hope
inside.
Breathless, she gave a hurried account of everything that had happened before pleading desperately, “Please, you have to do something. My brother is in real danger!”
“Ms. Marsh, I understand you’re worried, but we can’t file an official report until 24 hours have passed. Because your brother might just be out for a few hours and his phone could be dead. Please be patient; he may come back soon on his own.”
Rachel felt like a live wire, every nerve in her body on edge.
She couldn’t afford to break down–not now.
Over and over, she told herself to stay in control.
Losing it wouldn’t help Jeffrey–she had to think clearly.
But when the officer delivered that indifferent response, something inside her cracked.
She dropped to her knees, her hands gripping her head, and she sobbed like the weight
of the world had finally crushed her.
Overwhelmed by desperation, she tugged at her hair,
if the pain could drown out the unbearable guilt.
This was all on her.
Every bit of it.
45er nails digging into her scalp, as
If she had been more vigilant, if she had fought off exhaustion, Jeffrey wouldn’t have
wandered off alone.
A gut–wrenching cry escaped her lips, raw and broken.
The officer hesitated, then silently handed her a pack of tissues.
Rachel took them with trembling hands, her voice was barely above a whisper. “Thank
you.”
She took a shaky breath, forcing herself to push past the emotions. Breaking down wouldn’t bring Jeffrey back. Right now, the only thing that mattered was finding him. She needed a plan, and fast.
Without a second thought, she grabbed her phone and dialed Yvonne. As soon as the call connected, she spoke urgently. “Yvonne, Jeffrey is missing.”
“What? How? What happened?”
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Yvonne’s voice sharpened with alarm. “Wait–where are you? Are you in Amberfield?”
“Yeah, but the police won’t file a case until he’s been gone 24 hours.” Rachel’s throat burned from all the crying.
“Hang tight, Rachel. I’m on my way.” Yvonne reassured her.
As soon as she hung up, she flipped on the light and started changing out of her pajamas.
The sudden brightness made Norton stir beside her.
Since his grandfather insisted, the two had returned to the family estate that day and were now sharing a room.
Norton opened his eyes and shot an annoyed look at Yvonne. His tone was impatient as he asked, “What the hell are you doing at this hour?”
Frustrated and already on edge, Yvonne snapped, “Not now! Jeffrey’s missing, and Rachel’s losing her mind over it!”
That got his full attention, and he immediately sat
- up.
Watching her pull on her jeans, he asked, “You’re heading over now?”
“Obviously! She needs me, and the police won’t do anything. She’s barely holding it
together.”
“Hold up.” Norton frowned. “Why won’t they do anything?”
“Because it hasn’t been 24 hours yet.”
“Isn’t Jeffrey on the spectrum?” Norton asked, his tone suddenly serious.
Yvonne’s expression darkened at his wording. She shot him a sharp look. “Watch your
words.”
Norton sighed, realizing she’d misread his intent. “That’s not what I meant. What I’m saying is because of Jeffrey’s condition, the police should make an exception and start searching right away.”
Yvonne narrowed her eyes. “You better not be making this up.”
“I’ve been around Eric long enough to know the basics,” Norton said. “If you don’t trust me, call him yourself.”
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He pulled out his phone to prove his point.
Yvonne hesitated but knew she had to take the chance.
Rachel was in no state to think logically. Yvonne had to be the one to tell her.
Not long after, Rachel’s phone buzzed with an incoming call.
As she listened to Yvonne’s suggestion, a small hope lit up inside her. Not hesitating for
a second, she quickly told the police about Jeffrey’s situation, and this time, they acted fast, sending a team right away.
With help on the way, she finally felt a little more at ease.
Meanwhile, Yvonne threw on her coat, grabbed her bag, and bolted for the door.
Norton asked, “Do you plan to head there by yourself?”
Yvonne shot him an impatient look. “Are you offering to drive me?”
“Not a chance.”
Yvonne was speechless. Then why waste her time? Typical Norton–always saying pointless things.
As she rushed downstairs, she nearly bumped into Norton’s grandpa Edmond in the
living room.
A pang of worry shot through her as she hurried to his side. “Edmond, why are you up? Are you feeling alright?”
The butler explained, “He had some chest pain earlier. I gave him his medication, and he’s stable now, but he couldn’t sleep, so I’m keeping him company here.”
Yvonne’s concern deepened. “Edmond, are you sure you’re feeling better?”
Edmond gave her a reassuring smile. “I’m fine, don’t worry. Still strong as ever. Besides, I need to stay healthy to keep Norton in line–can’t let him push you around.”
Only then did Edmond notice she was fully dressed. His expression turned serious. “Are you going out this late? Is something wrong?”
“Yes, a friend is in trouble. I have to go.”
Edmond immediately turned to the butler and instructed him, saying, “Go wake Norton up and have him drive Yvonne.”
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“That’s unnecessary. I can handle it myself.”
If Norton tagged along, he’d just be an annoyance. She didn’t have the patience for that.
“He’s your husband. It’s his duty to help,” Edmond stated firmly.
Ten minutes later, Norton descended the stairs, now fully dressed. His expression was
like a slab of ice. “Let’s go.”
“Edmond, we’re heading out. Take care,” Yvonne said, glancing back at him.
Edmond waved them off. “Go on, then.”
The moment they were out of sight, Edmond turned to the butler. “Send the driver after them. Make sure Norton actually takes her where she needs to go.”
“Sir, do you think Norton might turn back halfway?”
Edmond scoffed. “Halfway? He might not even make it past the driveway. I’m not taking any risks with him.”
The butler gave a quick nod and set off to carry out the instructions.
Outside, Norton’s face was cold and stiff, his whole presence giving off a chilling aura.
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