While things felt oddly peaceful on Riley's end, Clearbrooke Estate had descended into chaos.
The moment Martha realized something was wrong, he immediately called Adrian.
"Master Adrian… Madam is missing."
Adrian had just stepped out of the bar when the call came through. His expression darkened instantly. "Useless! You can't even keep an eye on one person? Find her!"
Sitting beside him, Zachary shivered.
"Bro… what happened? Who's missing?"
"Riley is gone."
Adrian's voice was cold, his grip tightening around the phone until his knuckles turned white.
Zachary almost said, She's just a fool—so what if she's missing? But one look at Adrian's face made him swallow every word.
After a moment, Adrian forced himself to calm down.
"Go to Imperial University."
Riley's world was simple. She only ever moved between two places—Clearbrooke Estate and Imperial University.
Maybe she had forgotten her bunny and gone back to look for it.
By then, it was already late at night.
The campus was nearly pitch black. Only the library and a few dorm rooms still had lights on.
"Sir, nothing in the west wing."
"Nothing at the north gate."
"We checked the surveillance—Madam never appeared."
Not just the campus.
His people searched everywhere—her family home, the university, even contacted Rylie.
Nothing.
Every camera around Clearbrooke Estate had been checked.
No trace.
It was as if Riley had vanished into thin air.
Adrian stood beneath the dark sky, emotions churning in his eyes.
What if she's afraid of the dark?
What if she's sitting somewhere alone, hugging her rabbit, eyes red, waiting for me?
What if she runs into someone dangerous?
What if someone hurts her?
She was just a helpless little fool.
The thought alone made his chest tighten.
He didn't dare imagine what might happen to her out there.
So he kept searching.
All night.
They scoured the area for miles around Clearbrooke Estate.
Still nothing.
As dawn approached, Zachary stood beside him, exhausted. Neither of them had slept. Both looked worn down.
Then suddenly—
Adrian stood up.
With one violent kick, he sent his wheelchair flying.
His bloodshot eyes turned completely red.
His entire body radiated uncontrollable rage.
"Crap—he's about to lose control!" Zachary shouted. "Get him back to Clearbrooke Estate. Now!"
He fumbled for his phone, trying to call Lucas.
No answer.
Again.
Still nothing.
"Damn it… where the heck is he?!"
Several black jeeps sped through the early morning streets.
Inside one of them, Zachary pulled out a pair of handcuffs from under the seat and locked Adrian's wrist to the window.
It didn't help.
Not at all.
A few seconds later—
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
Adrian lashed out violently, kicking without restraint.
Zachary yelped in pain, clutching his leg as he scrambled to the opposite side of the car.
But the space was too small.
No matter how much he curled up, he couldn't escape.
It was a one-sided beating.
Adrian, in the middle of an episode, was terrifyingly strong—like a beast unleashed. His eyes burned crimson, unnatural and feral.
As he struggled, the handcuffs slammed against the window with sharp, metallic clangs.
Each strike echoed like a death knell.
Zachary could only suffer in silence, getting hit again and again.
"Lucas… you idiot… where are you when we need you?!"