Chapter 19 Where Is She?


    Judy’s voice came through on the phone. “Ms. Maia left before daybreak, sir. | tried to


    persuade her to wait until the snowstorm stopped, but she seemed in a hurry and told me to mind my own business.”


    Cedric frowned. As soon as he hung up, Zera spoke again.


    “So you were really with Maia...” She lowered her gaze and murmured, “She must have gone to see you on purpose so you


    wouldn''t suspect her.”


    She grew more anxious as she continued, “This way, she’d have an alibi. Mom’s kidnappers would never say she did it if she


    paid them off or threatened their families. She knew she''d never be charged! Oh, my God, how could she be so evil?”


    Zera frantically paced in circles. “| wonder how Mom is now...”


    Suddenly, a loud crash was heard as Cedric smashed his phone to pieces.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    He looked terrifying as he said, “Find out where Maia is.”


    Baz nodded. “Yes, sir!”


    It was still snowing that morning. Maia trudged through the thickyer of snow to arrive at Burgess Winery.


    Suddenly, a whistle caught her attention. Maia was surprised to see Errol clearing the snow.


    “Errol?”


    Errol had blown the whistle to get her attention and quickly put down the shovel, using signnguage tomunicate. “Maia,


    why are you here?”


    He quickly opened the automatic gate and gestured again. “Aren’t you supposed to check out. of the hospitalter today? It’s


    only six now...


    Errol checked the time and saw it was 6:30 a.m.


    “| checked out yesterday to settle some things. Then | thought I’de to see how you''re doing.”


    “I''m fine, Maia. See how strong | am? | even shoveled snow with the workersst night during the snowstorm.” Errol patted his


    chest. “Nigel told me you''re leaving Prismara to take over Starlight Entertainment.”


    Maia nodded. “My flight is at 8 a.m. Anyway, you''ll be on your own in Prismara. Don’t let your guard down even though you have


    the shares now, okay? Dad and that woman are not to be


    “Don''t worry, Maia. Since Cedric warned them, Homer and Yvette have learned their lesson and haven''t given me any trouble. |


    arranged for winter pruning yesterday, and the vineyard is in good order.”


    Errol was a reliable and proactive young man, taking care of many things without being asked. Their mother was wise to give the


    shares of the winery to him.


    Maia nodded. “I knew | could count on you.”


    Her 18-year-old brother was now a head taller than her.


    “Don’t worry, Maia. I’m


    Maia. I’m no longer a kid. I''ll never reveal the form of Pinot Nuage to and I''ll manage the ce well. | won''t disappoint you or


    Mom.” Errol held up his hand to swear.


    anyone,


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