Chapter 63 Caroline Is Nowhere to Be Found
"Edith... Edith..."
Caroline's voice was a fragile whisper, her gaze locked on the shifting water. The ripples sharpened the image until Edith's smile gleamed back at her, bright and haunting.
Yes... twins were supposed to be inseparable, bound for life. Yet Caroline had been the one to send Edith into that cold abyss, leaving her alone in the dark.
"It's so cold in the water... Caroline, come stay with me..."
The voice was gentle, pleading, and it echoed in her head, over and over.
The taut string in Caroline's mind finally broke.
"Yes... I'll come to you now..."
Her lips curved into a faint smile as she leaned forward, hands reaching toward the icy surface, desperate to embrace the girl in the water.
But in the instant she drew close, a hand—large and unyielding—reached from behind, clamping around her throat. The grip was merciless, forcing her down toward the water.
Pain shot through her neck, and she jolted back to awareness.
Too late.
The attacker's strength was overwhelming. She had no chance to resist before her face was driven hard into the pool. The cold water surged into her nose and mouth, surrounding her from all sides. Instinct made her hold her breath, but the pressure was crushing.
Survival clawed at her mind, shoving away the trance. She thrashed wildly, trying to break free.
No... it wasn't Edith. Someone was trying to kill her. Who?!
She couldn't see the face above her, couldn't breathe, couldn't even scream. The oxygen in her lungs burned away in seconds. In a final, panicked reflex, she opened her mouth. The freezing water flooded in, stabbing down her throat.
Darkness swallowed her consciousness, and her body sank toward the bottom.
In the lounge, Alexander glanced at his watch again, his brow furrowing deeper.
It had been nearly an hour since he'd realized Caroline had left alone.
The music outside was fading, replaced by the low murmur of guests exchanging farewells.
"Someone," he called sharply, rising to his feet.
A servant stepped in at once. "Mr. Hamilton?"
"My wife hasn't returned. Have you seen her at all? Heard anything?" Alexander's voice was cold, clipped.
The servant shook his head. "I'm sorry, sir. I've been here the whole time. I haven't seen Mrs. Hamilton, nor heard any mention of her from other guests."
Nothing? An entire hour with no word?
A weight dropped in Alexander's chest.
He moved to the window, scanning the banquet hall below. Most of the guests had already gone. Only a few lingered in conversation while staff began clearing tables.
Andrew was nowhere in sight—likely gone.
A bad feeling coiled in Alexander's gut.
Caroline might sulk, but she wouldn't vanish for this long in such a setting. She might be infuriating, but she wasn't foolish enough to ignore the circumstances.
Unless... something had happened.
The pressure in his chest tightened, feeding his growing tension.
"Alex, don't be alarmed," Celeste said softly, rising to join him. "Maybe she ran into someone she knows, or found a quiet corner to rest and lost track of time. These events can be overwhelming... she might just need a moment alone. Why not send the guards, or Liam, to look for her? If you go yourself, it might draw unnecessary attention—and if she's only in the restroom, it could embarrass her."
Her words reined him in. The step he'd been about to take halted.
Yes. Why should he go himself?
For the woman who had killed Edith? To roam the venue like a concerned husband, inviting gossip? Unthinkable.
His face hardened. Caroline didn't deserve that.
She'd better have the sense to return on her own. If not...
He inhaled sharply, pulling out his phone and dialing Liam.
The line connected quickly.
"Caroline is missing. Take a team and search every inch of the venue, inside and out," Alexander ordered.
"Yes, sir," Liam replied without hesitation.
Alexander hung up and sat back down, though his posture stayed rigid. The agitation gnawed at him, close to breaking through.
Celeste poured him a cup of tea. "Alex, don't worry. Liam is thorough—he'll find her soon. Please, drink and calm yourself."
He accepted the cup but didn't drink, staring instead into the still surface.
With each passing minute, the chill in his presence deepened.
Outside, the banquet hall grew quieter. Almost everyone had gone.
Still, no word from Liam.
A knock broke the silence. A servant entered, bowing. "Mr. Hamilton, the banquet has ended. Most guests and staff have already left. Should we..."
Ended?
Everyone gone? Then where was Caroline?
Alexander's head jerked up. He rose without hesitation.
He dialed Liam again, his voice sharp as soon as the call connected. "Well? Have you found her?"
"No, sir," Liam said, his tone edged with urgency. "We've searched the entire hotel—inside and out. No sign of Mrs. Hamilton. I've spoken to security and staff; no one saw her leave."
"What?!" Alexander's voice was a whip-crack. "Impossible. A living person doesn't just vanish. What about the cameras? Pull all footage immediately."
"We're already working with the security room, but it will take time," Liam said gravely. "Sir... the situation isn't right. With her injured foot, she couldn't have gone far. Unless..."
Unless she'd been taken. Or worse.
Alexander's restraint snapped. He strode toward the door.
Behind him, Celeste clenched her jaw and followed, then let out a sudden, deliberate gasp.