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Daniel had never been the type to panic easily, but as each minute passed with no word from Rose, his anxiety clawed deeper into his chest. He'd called her phone repeatedly—no answer. Texted, again and again—still nothing. It wasn't like her. Rose wasn't the kind to go off-grid, not even for an hour.
Aunty Adeline sat nervously on the worn-out couch, wringing her hands together. "Something's not right," she murmured.
Daniel didn't wait. He left Adeline at home and rushed to the nearest police station, heart racing, mind spiraling. He burst in and reported his sister missing, voice firm with desperation—but the response was cold and procedural.
"She's an adult," one officer said with a shrug. "Come back if she's not home in twenty-four hours."
"Twenty-four hours?" Daniel's voice rose. "She's not out partying or having fun—this is not who she is!"
But they wouldn't budge. Another officer warned him, "If you don't calm down, we'll have to detain you for the night."
With clenched fists and no other option, Daniel left. Back home, he broke the news to Adeline. She looked heartbroken, whispering prayers under her breath, hoping Rose was just delayed, maybe her phone died, maybe… just maybe.
But Daniel couldn't sit still.
He texted Stella, telling her everything. Stella tried to calm him down, saying Rose might've just left her phone somewhere, maybe took a walk, something normal.
But Daniel knew his sister.
She wouldn't do this.
So he ran—to the Carter mansion. He didn't care if he looked crazy. He banged on the door, demanding to speak with the family. He forced his way past the butler until finally, Flourish Carter herself met him at the entrance.
"My sister's missing," Daniel said breathlessly. "She's not home, she hasn't been answering. I thought maybe she came back here."
Flourish raised an eyebrow. "I gave her the week off. She was supposed to be resting."
"I know," Daniel replied. "But she went out this morning to get a few things from the mall, and she never came back."
That made Flourish freeze.
Her expression changed—calm but serious.
"What's your name again?"
"Daniel."
She nodded slowly, then gestured for him to come in. "Wait here," she said before heading upstairs.
Daniel stood in the lavish hallway, the mansion's grandeur completely lost on him. His mind was on Rose. Only Rose.
Upstairs, Flourish made a call. Julian answered. His voice was sharp, laced with tension. "What do you mean she's missing?" he snapped.
Flourish frowned. She hadn't expected such a reaction from Julian. He sounded… angry. Not just shocked—furious. That only made her more uneasy.
After the call, she returned to Daniel.
"We're on it," she assured him. "If there's any information, we'll let you know. You have my word."
Daniel nodded, slightly relieved—but far from calm. "Thank you," he said quietly and left the mansion, heart heavy.
What neither of them noticed, though, was the figure hiding just around the corner. Vivienne. She had overheard everything. Her eyes were wide with fear, lips trembling.
Rose was missing.
And Vivienne… she really loved Rose.
"I hope she's okay," she whispered to herself, retreating back into the shadows, heart sinking.