Chapter 298

Chapter 298
【Luna's Perspective】

The wedding reception was finally winding down. I watched Violet laugh among her bridesmaids, her happiness radiating through the dimly lit venue. The evening had been perfect—every detail meticulously planned, from the cascading floral arrangements to the handwritten place cards.

"They should rest soon," I told one of the bridesmaids. "Tomorrow's travel back to Washington will be exhausting enough without adding sleep deprivation."

After helping Violet arrange some final details, I realized I hadn't seen Max for at least two hours. I pulled out my phone and dialed his number, frowning when it went straight to voicemail.

"Have you seen Max?" I asked James and Helen as they prepared to leave.

"Not since the cake cutting, dear," Helen replied. "We assumed he was with you."

A subtle unease crept into my chest as I approached Nathan, who was saying goodbye to some military colleagues.

"Nathan, have you seen Max?"

He grinned, the effects of alcohol evident in his flushed face. "Last I saw, he was celebrating with our Special Forces buddies. Those guys can drink anyone under the table."

I found the group of former soldiers in a private lounge, glasses in hand but no Max among them.

"He was pretty wasted," one of them informed me. "His assistant offered to take him back to get some rest. Smart move—the boss was knocking them back like water."

The unease in my chest tightened into alarm. Kevin was Max's only assistant, and he'd been busy with wedding duties all evening.

I rushed back to the bridal suite where Kevin and Violet were changing into their travel clothes.

"Kevin, did you arrange for someone to take Max back to the hotel?"

His brow furrowed. "No, I've been here the entire time. What's happened?"

When I explained, Kevin immediately tensed. "I'm his only assistant here. If someone claimed to be his assistant..." He pulled out his phone and began rapidly contacting Morrison Group security personnel.

"Maybe he's with Nathan?" Violet suggested, trying to sound calm.

"I just spoke with Nathan. Max isn't with him."

Violet's expression shifted. "Where's Lily? I haven't seen her since the bouquet toss."

The three of us exchanged alarmed glances.

We found Nathan in the lobby, now significantly more sober after hearing our concerns.

"Do you think Lily took Max somewhere?" I asked directly.

Nathan's face drained of color as he repeatedly tried calling his sister. "She's not answering. This isn't like her."

"How did you get here, Nathan?" Kevin asked.

"Lily drove us. I planned to let her drive us back since I'd be drinking."

Our search party moved to the parking lot, where Nathan's car was conspicuously absent.

"Track the car's GPS," I instructed Kevin, who was already on the phone with Morrison security technicians.

Twenty minutes later, we were speeding toward the Four Seasons Hotel in town, with police and additional security personnel en route. My hands gripped the edge of my seat, my mind racing with terrible possibilities.

"I feel like I'm losing my mind," I whispered to Violet as we waited in the hotel lobby while Kevin and Nathan spoke with management. "If she's hurt him..."

"The car is definitely here," Kevin reported, "but the hotel has no record of them checking in."

The hotel manager approached hesitantly. "Sir, there's a budget motel about two hundred meters down the road. Sometimes... people park here when they want discretion at the motel."

The implication turned my blood cold.

At the motel, the desk clerk confirmed police had just arrived. "Someone called in a complaint from room 302."

Nathan and I didn't wait for further explanation, rushing toward the elevator with Kevin, Violet, and additional officers following closely.

On the third floor, police were already outside room 302, demanding entry. Kevin stepped forward.

"Morrison Group will cover any damages," he told the officers before delivering a powerful kick that splintered the door frame.

Inside, Max lay fully clothed on the bed, seemingly unconscious but breathing evenly. Relief flooded through me as I rushed to his side, trying unsuccessfully to wake him.

"Max? Max, can you hear me?"

From the bathroom came muffled sounds of struggle. Kevin, Violet, and Nathan rushed in while I remained with Max, gently brushing his hair back from his forehead.

"Well, this is ironic," I heard Violet say. "Even drunk, Max managed to subdue her."

Nathan's voice carried into the bedroom. "Lily, what have you done?"

The police officer explained, "We received a call from a male who said a woman drugged him and was attempting to take advantage. He managed to restrain her before passing out again."

Lily emerged from the bathroom, tears streaming down her face. "I didn't do anything! I just wanted to talk to him privately!"

The officer held up a plastic evidence bag containing a half-empty water glass. "We'll need to test this."

"She'll need to come to the station for questioning," another officer stated firmly.

Nathan's voice was hard with barely controlled anger. "I'll bring her. This is inexcusable."

"Where's Max's phone?" I asked Lily.

"In—in the car," she stammered, not meeting my eyes.

After they departed with the police, Kevin carefully lifted Max onto his shoulder. "I'll take him to the Four Seasons. You can't bring him back to the Blake mansion in this condition."

I nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Kevin. I'm sorry this happened on your wedding night."

Violet squeezed my hand. "We're family, Luna. This is what family does."