Chapter 73 Emergency
ANNA'S POV
Something is wrong?
Since the first day I met Dan, this was the first time he had ever sent me a message like that. For him to text me something so vague and unsettling made my chest tighten almost immediately.
I hovered over the keyboard for a second, thinking of asking him what exactly was wrong, but he had already told me to come home. If it was important enough to pull me out of work, then I would find out everything once I got there.
I just hoped everyone was okay.
“Is there a problem?” Ryan asked, his voice pulling me out of my thoughts. He had clearly noticed the way my expression changed when I read the message.
“No problem,” I said, even though my heart didn’t quite agree, “but I need to head back home.”
“Home? Already?” he asked, surprise flickering across his face.
“Yes,” I replied as I stood up from my chair. “Dan just told me I’m needed back. It’s important.”
I reached for my purse, my movements quicker than usual. My mind was already miles away from the office, replaying Dan’s message over and over again.
My PA could handle everything else scheduled for today. I trusted her enough, and right now, my attention was no longer here.
“Then in that case, I’ll join you back,” Ryan said as he stood as well, straightening his suit jacket. “My security is still waiting outside your gate anyway.”
“Sure,” I said, not really thinking twice about it.
I grabbed everything I needed, informed my PA that I would be leaving early, and within minutes Ryan and I were heading toward my car. As soon as I settled into the back seat, I began tapping my phone lightly against my palm, a habit I had whenever my nerves refused to settle.
Endless possibilities ran through my head.
What if something had happened at home? What if Mom or Dad were sick? What if there had been an accident?
If anything had happened to them, I honestly didn’t know how I would handle it.
“Just ask Dan what’s so important and calm your nerves,” Ryan said gently, glancing at me.
He was right.
Without saying a word, I unlocked my phone and sent Dan a text.
Mom and Dad, are they fine?
I stared at the screen, my eyes glued to it as if watching hard enough would make the reply come faster.
A few seconds later, my phone buzzed.
‘Not quite.’
My heart skipped violently, and for a brief second it felt like the air had been knocked out of my lungs.
Please… let it not be what I’m thinking.
Another message came in almost immediately.
‘Physically they are fine. Emotionally, they are anything but fine.’
I read the message twice, then a third time. The tight grip around my chest slowly loosened as relief washed over me. Whatever was wrong, at least they were alive. At least they weren’t hurt.
My breathing steadied, and the frantic pounding of my heart gradually slowed.
“What did he say?” Ryan asked.
“Everyone is fine, thankfully,” I said, exhaling softly. “He just said they’re not okay emotionally. I don’t really understand what that means yet, but I’ll find out when we arrive.”
The rest of the drive passed in silence. As soon as the car pulled into the estate and came to a stop, I didn’t even wait for the driver to open the door. I was already out within seconds.
I walked into the living room in a rush, my heels clicking sharply against the floor, but the moment my eyes took in the scene before me, my steps halted abruptly.
The maids.
They were all lined up side by side, standing stiffly against the wall. Some of them were crying softly, wiping their faces with trembling hands. Others had their heads bowed, unable to lift their eyes.
My brows pulled together in confusion as I slowly moved further into the room.
My dad was pacing back and forth, his movements sharp and restless. I could practically feel the anger rolling off him, heavy and suffocating. Every step he took echoed his fury.
Mom sat on the couch, completely still. Her eyes looked empty, lifeless, as though she had just lost something precious. She looked like someone in mourning, like someone who had just buried a part of herself.
Dan sat beside her, his arm wrapped around her shoulders, rubbing them gently in an attempt to comfort her.
Then there was Isabel.
She sat beside Mom as well, her arms crossed neatly over her chest. The moment her eyes landed on me, something strange happened.
She smiled.
Not the forced, irritated smile she usually wore around me. This one was different. It was bright, almost excited, like she was genuinely happy to see me.
That alone made my stomach twist.
Every time I walked into a room where Isabel was present, she either ignored me or looked visibly annoyed before finding an excuse to leave. Seeing her look at me like this sent a small, unsettling shiver down my spine.
Something about it felt wrong.
Very wrong.
I looked around again, trying to make sense of everything. Why were the maids crying? Why did Mom look like she had lost a child? Why was Dad this angry?
What had happened?
“You think this is some kind of joke, right?” my dad suddenly spoke, his voice cold and sharp as he addressed the maids.
The entire room seemed to freeze.
“That necklace,” he continued, his tone growing darker with each word, “has been the most important item in this family for generations.”
He stopped pacing and turned to face them fully.
“It has been passed down from generation to generation, and it was meant to continue that way. It is the foundation of this family, and it will remain so for future generations.”
His eyes swept across the line of trembling maids.
“But someone here,” he said slowly, deliberately, “has decided that none of that matters.”
A heavy silence settled over the room.
“If you know me at all,” he went on, his voice dropping to a dangerous calm, “then you know I do not joke with anything concerning family.”
My heart sank.
“This is your final chance,” he said. “Whoever took that necklace, come out with it now. Admit what you did and take your punishment.”
The maids shook harder, some sobbing quietly.
“But if you don’t,” Dad added, his voice rising with barely restrained rage, “and I search everyone’s quarters and find it there…”
He paused, his gaze hardening.
“That person will not make it out of this building alive.”
The words echoed in the room like a death sentence.
I stood there, frozen, my mind struggling to catch up.