Later that evening, Jarrod returned to the vi.


    Upon entering, he asked the housekeeper, “Has my wife eaten?”


    The housekeeper appeared puzzled.


    “Sir, weren’t you aware? She mentioned she was visiting her mother.


    ”


    “Visiting her mother?” Jarrod’s brow furrowed.


    “Yes, she said that.


    She hasn’te back yet,” the housekeeper exined.


    Jarrod checked the time.


    It was already 8:30 PM.


    The sanatorium was not nearby, and Nicole should have returned by now.


    Feeling anxious, Jarrod checked on Austin before rushing off to the sanatorium.


    Upon arrival, he headed straight for Nicole’s mother’s room, finding her sleeping soundly.


    A nurse standing nearby q


    uickly rose and greeted him, “Mr.


    Schultz.


    ”


    Without dy, Jarrod asked, “When did Nicole leave?”


    “ihat?” The nurse looked surprised.


    “She didn’te here today.


    ”


    “She didn’te?” Jarrod echoed her words.


    “That’s correct.


    I’ve been here the entire day and haven’t seen her,” the nurse confirmed.


    Jarrod turned and exited, dialing as he walked to his car.


    “Alec, find out where Nicole’s car is,” he ordered.


    Acknowledging Jarrod’s seriousness, Alec replied without questioning, “On it.


    ”


    Jarrod added, “Check the surveince and find the car’s location immediately.


    ”


    “Got it,” Alec said, promptly directing thepany’s IT department to track down Nicole’s car.


    He quickly ryed thest known location to Jarrod.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    At the same time, Alec examined the surveince footage from the vi.


    Confirming Nicole had not headed toward the sanatorium, he promptly informed Jarrod.


    Arriving at the car’sst known location, Jarrod discovered an abandoned factory.


    The ce was eerily quiet, with no signs of life.


    The area around was just as empty, devoid of any vehicles.


    Jarrod retrieved a shlight from his car and entered the factory, Lighting his way.


    The building waspletely dark, and Jarrod thoroughly searched every corner but found no one.


    Just as he was about to exit, something caught under his foot near the door.


    Looking down, he spotted one of Nicole’s earrings, a small golden flower, and recognized it instantly.


    He picked it up, staring at it intently, sensing it might be a clue left by Nicole.


    Holding the earring tightly, Jarrod headed back to his car and instructed Alec, “Initiate a citywide search for Nicole.


    Don’t stop until we find her.


    ”