Chapter 1125 Clumsy Comfort


    Crystal''s POV:


    "What did you say? How? Why would Beryl suddenly disappear?”


    My knees buckled underneath me, and Laura had to reach out and catch me before I slumped to the ground. A rush of anger shot through me. "I


    thought Rufus was supposed to bring Beryl to school! How can she be missing?"


    My anxiety seemed to fuel Laura''s, and her words just flew out of her mouth. "Yes, yes, Rufus was indeed supposed to do that, but something urgent


    came up this morning. He had to leave, so he asked a maid to take Beryl to the kindergarten. I just happened to drop by Rufus’ ce a while ago and


    found out that said maid hasn''t returned. I had a hunch that something was wrong, so I asked the servants to look for the maid. They found her lying


    unconscious on a dirt path. So I immediately rushed here to make sure that Beryl is okay.”


    I could only stare at Laura, my eyes widening with every word she said. They registered in my brain, but it was as if my brain refused to process their


    implication.


    Laura''s expression turned glum. "But judging from your reaction, I''m guessing that Beryl isn''t here, either."


    I didn''t waste another minute. I headed to the principal''s office and asked for a leave of absence, and then proceeded to search the entire pce with


    Laura.


    "Beryl!"


    I called out her name until my throat burned, and


    even then, I didn''t stop. I couldn''t rx for even one second. I checked the bushes in the garden, turning at the slightest movement I sensed.


    Beryl had a naughty streak. She was like a wild rabbit, always running about and hiding in the most unlikely ces. And so, I did not hesitate to


    search every corner of the pce, scouring every nook and cranny as often as I could.


    Hours ticked by, and I could no longer contain my restless heart


    "Crystal," a voice called out from behind me.


    I whirled around and saw Rufus. It looked like the news of Beryl''s disappearance had already reached him, given that arge group of patrolmen was


    already scouring the area in his wake.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    I walked up to him and grabbed his sleeves as though they were my lifeline. "How is it? Have you found her?"


    Rufus shook his head, his brows furrowed with worry. "Not yet, but I have instructed my men to expand the search beyond the pce grounds. I''m


    sure we''ll find Beryl in no time."


    I let go of him and huffed in frustration, my tears spilling from my eyes. The imperial pce was not that huge. Where else could Beryl be? Was it


    possible that she had been abducted?


    The thought sent me reeling, and I fell apart all over again. I just broke down and wept.


    Rufus was visibly startled. He ducked his head to look at my face. "Crystal? Crystal, hey. Come on, don''t cry.”


    "I''m not crying." I retorted, swallowing back a sob. Still, I could feel my tears streaming down my cheeks.


    I could have pretended to be strong, and I could have pulled it off, too. But with Rufus around, I feel like I had the freedom to be vulnerable and


    express my grief.


    Rufus patted me tentatively on the shoulder. "Stop crying. We will find Beryl, I promise."


    "Of course..." I pressed my hand against my mouth, but the tears just wouldn''t stop. "Sorry, I just can''t control myself."


    "It''s all right. I''m worried myself, and I just don''t show it. If I were in your shoes, I would have probably bawled harder than you.”


    I closed my eyes and wrinkled my


    nose. Rufus had always been


    clumsy wherit came toforting


    others. It seemed that that hadn''t =>


    changed''at all. I opened my eyes io


    his embarrassed face. "Look, don''t


    cry atymore, okay? It''s all my-fault. I


    did''t look after Beryl properly. That


    little kid calls me Daddy.<fhe least="" that="" i="" should="" do="" is="" protect="" her,="" but="" failed.="" even="" lost="" her."="" content="" belongs="" to="" swnovel.ne<="" p=""></fhe>


    f


    He took out ahandkerchief from his


    pocke and keld it out, like he was


    about to wipe my tears. Buthe ~~


    hesitatedat thest moment, and”


    his hand remained up in the air. If I


    didnTknow any better, I woutd think


    that he was afraid of offending me.


    I smiled despite myself. I took mercy on him and plucked the handkerchief from his fingers, and then dabbed at my tears with it.


    I figured I shouldfort him as well, and I was about to do just that when something else urred to me. That cryptic message fromst night.


    I shot a grim look at Rufus.


    received a sttange messagest


    night from.an unknown number.


    Whoevert was seemed to be


    targeting me. They must have C


    something to do with Beryl''s>?


    disappearance.’ Content oelongs to


    NovelDrama.Org o


    oo


    ~


    ~D