There was no reason for them to lie.
So Alexander had taken my phone… and placed it somewhere I couldn't find.
After thanking Jim, I dismissed him and began searching the house again.
The living room—nothing.
His study—nothing.
The master bedroom… even the bathrooms—still nothing.
This was getting strange.
Borrowing Maria's phone, I dialed my number while walking through the house.
No ringtone.
Not even a vibration.
My unease deepened.
I hesitated for a moment, then dialed Alexander's number instead.
The phone rang several times.
Just as it was about to go to voicemail, the call was answered.
"Hello?"
The voice on the other end—
It was unmistakably Lilian's.
A chill ran down my spine.
I steadied myself, forcing my voice to remain calm.
"It's me. Where's Alexander?"
"Oh, Alicia," Lilian replied, her tone almost too light, too cheerful. "Alexander's in the kitchen… cooking for me."
When I heard the word "cooking," I froze.
