Chapter 84 Lucas Is Missing
The streets were packed with noisy crowds, colorful balloons filled the sky, and cheerful folk songs drifted away on the wind.
A long parade of floats drove down the street. Dancers on the floats wore brightly colored traditional outfits, their skirts swirling as they scattered colorful flowers and candy. Children excitedly chased after the floats decorated with gold foil and ribbons.
"What are you daydreaming about?" Jonas asked in my ear, his tone carrying its usual playfulness.
"I was remembering something from when we were kids. Marcus was chasing after a float and tripped. He was losing his baby teeth at the time, and that fall knocked out one of his front teeth." I pulled my thoughts back and couldn't help smiling.
That year was Marcus's quietest New Year ever.
Jonas laughed cooperatively and moved to stand in front of me, blocking the surging crowd.
"Hold my hand so we don't get separated," Jonas said.
I didn't refuse.
Jonas glanced at my gloves and casually complimented, "Nice gloves, they really suit you."
I figured if he knew Lucas had given me the gloves, he definitely wouldn't say that.
"Come on, I know a really good dessert shop. We can rest our feet there." Jonas enthusiastically pulled me into an alley off the main street.
I followed him through twists and turns for ten minutes without seeing our destination, so I asked him the name of the shop.
"It's called 'River of Love Sweets,'" Jonas said.
"I know it, it's a little shop that's been open for decades." I pulled Jonas in another direction. "Don't you know the way? You're going completely the wrong direction!"
Jonas looked a bit helpless. "I forgot you also grew up in Dawnharbor."
A few minutes later, we arrived at River of Love Sweets. I looked through the glass and was surprised to see how empty it was inside.
This shop was very popular, packed with customers every day. How could there be no customers today?
I looked carefully at the sign hanging by the door. "It looks like someone reserved the whole place."
"Yes, I reserved it," Jonas answered.
I looked at him in surprise.
Jonas shook our clasped hands, his tone carrying its usual casual flippancy, though his eyes held a hint of nervousness. "You didn't think we were just here for sightseeing, did you? Bella, this is a date."
My heart skipped a beat, and I tried to let go of his hand.
But Jonas tightened his grip, not letting me pull away. Meeting my gaze, his joking tone carried a touch of seriousness. "Now, will you walk into the 'River of Love' with me?"
In that instant, instead of thinking about how refusing or agreeing would affect my partnership with Jonas, I thought of Lucas—the image of him taking a bullet for me wouldn't leave my mind.
I tugged at my fingers again. Jonas loosened his grip, wearing an "I knew it" expression.
I felt embarrassed and was about to say something to break the awkward atmosphere when my phone suddenly rang.
I didn't know who was calling, but I silently thanked them.
To my great surprise, it was Alfred calling!
"Ms. Sorelli, something's wrong! Mr. Valeri has disappeared!" The voice on the line was rushed and panicked, with barely contained fear. "I—I'm so stupid! I lost Mr. Valeri!"
I felt my throat tighten. "Alfred, calm down! Tell me clearly, what happened?"
After two seconds, Alfred said, "The afternoon before yesterday, Mr. Valeri was summoned by Holden. None of us were allowed to enter The Valeri Manor; we could only wait outside. That evening, Mr. Valeri said he was staying overnight and told us to make our own arrangements, but not to go too far. Yesterday, Mr. Valeri didn't contact me all day. Today at noon, Mr. Valeri's location left The Valeri Manor and disappeared in the city center!"
The cheerful music in the distance formed a sharp contrast with Alfred's anxious, helpless voice.
I organized Alfred's words in my mind—he hadn't seen Lucas for almost 48 hours!
Something was definitely wrong!
"You mentioned a location—what location?" I asked Alfred.
"Mr. Valeri's phone location," Alfred answered.
"What about the tracking devices hidden in his watch and shoes?" I quickly followed up.
"They disappeared along with the phone location!" Alfred's voice took on a tearful quality.
If he couldn't find Lucas, if something happened to Lucas, he would definitely kill himself in atonement!
The tracking devices hidden on Lucas's body most likely weren't removed by him voluntarily, and if he'd ended up in a situation where he was searched, that meant things were very bad!
"First, investigate the vehicles that left The Valeri Manor this morning! Pull the surveillance footage along the route and check the cars that were in the city center when the tracking devices disappeared!" I took a deep breath and ordered Alfred.
Then I asked Alfred where he was, planning to go meet up with him.
As I turned, Jonas urgently grabbed my wrist.
"Bella, where are you going?"
I'd almost forgotten about him!
"Sorry, Jonas, can I treat you to dinner another day? I have an emergency right now."
"Did something happen to Lucas?" Jonas pointed at my phone. "I heard Alfred's voice."
I hesitated, then briefly explained the situation.
Jonas frowned and shook his head. "Bella, don't you suspect Lucas is lying to you? This is Dawnharbor! He's the legitimate heir of the Valeri family bloodline! Who would kidnap him here?"
Of course, it would be someone from inside the Valeri family! I shouted in my mind.
"The Valeri family situation is complicated. I'll explain another day." I glanced at the romantic setup inside "River of Love Sweets." "I'm really sorry, I have to go!"
I pulled away from Jonas's hand and quickly met up with Cole and Adrian nearby.
On the way to meet Alfred, I suddenly remembered something.
I called Alfred. He was already spinning in circles with anxiety. "Ms. Sorelli! Many people celebrating the New Year left The Valeri Manor this morning. I found several cars that passed through the city center. It'll take at least several hours to check them all, and if during that time Mr. Valeri encounters danger—"
"Don't think like that, stay calm!" I interrupted his impending bad prediction. Alfred shut his mouth, and I asked him, "Did Lucas take off the bracelet on his wrist?"
Alfred paused for two seconds, asked me what bracelet, then said, "I'm not sure. That day after we left your place, we went straight to the airport. After arriving in Dawnharbor, Mr. Valeri was busy investigating Santos's death. I think—he probably hasn't taken it off yet!"
Without me saying more, Alfred immediately checked the bracelet's location information.
The bracelet was active, showing a location inside The Valeri Manor!
Alfred still seemed hesitant, but I decisively ordered him, "Go to The Valeri Manor! Lucas is still there!"
The tracking devices that disappeared in the city center might have been meant to deliberately mislead Alfred, because he wasn't a member of the Valeri family—he only took orders from Lucas.
To Lucas, Alfred was like a handy weapon, but to other members of the Valeri family, Alfred was a disobedient mad dog.
Alfred and I headed separately toward the Valeri Manor. Halfway there, Lucas's location changed, moving rapidly toward the west side of the city.
I had to change my destination accordingly.
Half an hour later, Lucas's location stopped.
Alfred pinpointed Lucas's position and quickly found out where it was—it was Grace's house.