Chapter 80: I'm Not A Prisoner

Bruce directs several Sigmas to investigate Pearl. Although he shows an attitude against Taggart, he is still a father. Bruce won't let Taggart go through hardships alone. Therefore, he signed a Sigma to gather crucial information, which he then relayed to Bruce. Bruce took it seriously because Taggart didn’t want to let go of Pearl.

"What did you get?" Bruce asked his spy.

“Miss Pearl Rosenthal was in the hospital one day earlier. Mr. Taggart picked her up there. Ascendingly, he had a confrontation with Keith Rosenthal." Sigma started to talk about what had happened recently.

"What happened? Is she ill?”

“Not her but her father. Mr. Taggart took Miss Rosenthal straight to the hotel with force.” Bruce frowned slightly, then slowly nodded.

“Miss Rosenthal and Mr. Taggart are staying in the same room. No one was on guard at that time. Therefore, it is highly likely that something has arisen between them.” The Sigma continued.

"I know. Continue." Bruce interrupted.

“A few hours later, Miss Rosenthal left alone and got into a taxi. But midway, it stopped. She chose to walk.”

"Why? What happened?"

“There was an accident, so the car couldn’t take her to Excellor.”

Bruce frowned as he thought again. There's a little weirdness there. He also listened to the entire report again.

“Then she disappeared, and we couldn't find her again. No cameras had time to track her.”

“Where was her last seen?”

“Between St. Hewitt Street.”

“Open the area and ask everyone. Someone would have seen her if she had ever passed that way.” Bruce again ordered the Sigma. He nodded in understanding.

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Do your best to find the girl. I don't want anyone to set a trap for Taggart because of her.”

***

Everest looked suspiciously at Luke, who appeared uneasy. He was nervous and thought about something, and Everest could feel it. Meanwhile, Luke tried to avoid it so that Everest would not suspect him. He shouldn’t show the nervousness.

"You called Miss Rosenthal, Mr. Damant," Everest confirmed his sentence.

"That's right, I did call her."

"Then why don't you admit it?" Everest scoffed in annoyance. He knew that Luke looked like he was hiding something. That guy is so annoying. Luke became even more embarrassed.

"I didn't mean it like that,"

“Mr. Damant, we are looking for a staff member who missing. This should be no joke for you. Furthermore, she is part of your team." Everest continued with a grave expression.

“She is only an intern.” Even though Luke denied it, he didn't dare raise his voice. Everest became increasingly annoyed, even though he still maintained his authority.

“Interns are part of Excellor. If you can't do your job properly supervising them all, then I think you can resign as manager.” Everest gave a stern warning, making Luke even paler. He doesn't want to lose his job, but his life is equally important. If he said something about her, Matthew Bronckhorst would kill him.

Luke didn't want to argue with Everest. He was silent and lowered his face slightly.

“Mr. Damant, say what you said when you called Miss Rosenthal,” Everest ordered again. His attitude was still the same: firm and annoyed.

“I simply asked her to come. She had been absent for several days, which was against disciplinary rules. As a manager, I have to protect my team from interference.” Luke answered with more formal words.

“You think what Miss Rosenthal is doing is disrupting your team?”

"Of course. She breaks the work rhythm. She is part of the team. I gave her a chance, but she ignored it. I have no choice, Mr. Leon," Luke answered. He tried to be calm, not nervous.

"Okay. Then, after that, did she call you?" Luke shook his head.

"No. Not at all."

“Are you threatening to fire her?”

“I'm not threatening. I'm just giving a warning.”

Everest took a deep sigh. He must extract transparent and honest information from Luke Damant. A little information is very helpful in finding Pearl's whereabouts.

“I've traced your phone signal. You were indeed the one who contacted Pearl Rosenthal. You could still track the cell phone at that time. After an hour, the signal disappeared. There is an incoming telephone call. Is that from you?”

Luke was confused, then frowned. He shook his head.

"Are you sure?" Everest's sharp gaze tried to get Luke to speak, but he kept shaking his head.

"I'm certain."

"Fine. You still can't go home until I find out about Pearl Rosenthal. Please come out."

"But I have to go home." Everest glared at Luke, who protested. He shook his head, refusing her request.

"Please, Mr. Leon. I have a cat, but he hasn't eaten. He must be hungry.” Luke uses emotional appeals to persuade Everest to let him go. Everest still looked suspicious. He seemed to be guessing what Luke was thinking. Luke didn't give up. He had to leave, or Matthew would get him even more trouble.

“I still can't allow you.”

"It's past office hours," Luke still protested.

“We will compensate all staff members who are unable to return home today. Please return to your room.” Everest didn't accept any of the excuses Luke gave him. He even asked Luke to come back. Luka snorted softly in annoyance and left the room.

“Damn. I'm stuck here," Luke cursed in annoyance. Luke didn't want to find himself stranded in Excellor due to the disappearance of an intern. Luke's annoyance with Pearl continues to grow. He thought the girl was finally the one to bestow bad luck on him.

Luke didn't return to his room. He just took his cell phone and bag and sneaked away from Excellor. No need to reveal himself; Luke knew a hidden way to get out of there.

“I wouldn't want to stay here. No way." Luke grumbled even more as he walked up the emergency stairs. He was unable to use the elevator for fear of discovery. Even though it was tiring, Luke still came down the stairs.

After taking a deep breath out of exhaustion, Luke opened the emergency door on the first floor. He peeked to ensure no security guard or other employee caught him. Once safe, Luke walked quickly towards the side door where the cleaners came out. The door remained locked from evening to night, making it impossible for him to open.

“Ah, who locked the door? Fuck!” Luke attempted to push the door, but the lock prevented him from doing so. He then returned to the emergency exit. He will leave through the parking basement. Luke managed to get out of one of the narrow doors leading to the parking basement. Once thriving, Luke ran to his car. He smiled and chuckled slightly. After starting the car, Luke got out of the parking basement. He had to be cautious in case someone caught him.

At his desk, Everest watched the surveillance camera on his laptop screen. He followed all of Luke Damant's movements. Everest managed to lure the man out, but Excellor escaped. Even though his instincts were strong, Everest had no evidence to accuse Luke.

“Sean?” Everest called one of the Gammas in his room. Sean waited for orders from Everest, who was looking at Luke on his screen.

“Follow him. Find out if he has a cat in his apartment.” Everest gave orders to Sean. Sean chuckled, then frowned.

“A cat?” Everest nodded again.

“Just to make sure that he’s not our culprit, Maybe I’m wrong.” Everest shrugged his shoulders, assuming that Sean would recognise him. Sean finally nodded.

“Fine. We’ll see what I can do.” Sean walked out of Everest’s room to follow Luke Damant.

Luke Damant did return to his apartment. He didn't want Matthew to chase him. So he took the opportunity to escape. At least he had time to pack his things.

"I'd rather be Rouge than Omega of their slaves!" Luke cursed annoyingly.