Chapter 6

Max's POV

Something wasn't right. I could feel it—Mom hadn't come to pick us up as usual.

"Max, eat your sandwich," Morgan said, pushing the plate closer to me.

I shook my head. "I need to call Mom."

Morgan sighed. "She's still at school, honey. She'll come get you."

Lily was playing with her doll in the living room, humming happily. She hadn't sensed it yet, but I had. Mom was in trouble.

"Can I use your phone?" I asked.

"Just one call, okay?"

I dialed the school number Mom had made me memorize. After three rings, a lady answered.

"Wildwood Elementary & Preschool, how may I help you?"

"Hi, I'm calling about Ms. Winter. Is she still there?" I tried to make my voice sound more mature.

"Ms. Winter? Let me check... she left about half an hour ago."

My stomach dropped. "Was she alone?"

"I'm sorry, who is calling?"

I hung up without answering. Morgan looked at me with concern.

"Max, what's wrong?"

I didn't answer, sliding off the chair and grabbing my backpack. Morgan's laptop was on the coffee table. Within minutes, I had bypassed her password and accessed the school's security system.

"Max! What are you doing?" Morgan peered over my shoulder.

"Finding Mom," I muttered, my fingers flying across the keyboard.

The security footage appeared on screen. I fast-forwarded through the afternoon recordings, stopping when I saw Mom being escorted away by two large men in suits. Behind them walked a tall man in an expensive suit, his face as hard as stone.

"It's him," I whispered.

Morgan gasped. "Richard? Oh my God."

I turned to her, my heart pounding. "Morgan, please help me. That man took my mom."

"Don't worry, Max. I'll go get your mom. You and Lily wait here at home, okay?" she reassured me.

I nodded, watching as Morgan grabbed her keys and left the house.

I needed to know more. I found information about the man in the school's database, along with his daughter who had just enrolled.

The girl who looked like Lily was named Kathy, and that man's eyes were somewhat similar to mine when I looked in the mirror. Sometimes I'd see Mother crying over baby clothes. A bold guess formed in my mind.

I shook my head, dismissing other thoughts. Rescuing Mom was the priority now. Through the surveillance, I found where Mom was being held.

I picked up the home phone and called Morgan, telling her where my mom was being kept. After she knew the address, she reassured me briefly and hung up.

What followed was a long wait, but after two hours there was still no news. I anxiously picked up the phone and called Morgan again, but this time she didn't answer. Several consecutive calls went unanswered.

I didn't want to wait anymore. I needed to rescue Mom myself. I went to Lily's side.

"Lily, let's go find Mom, okay?" I had an idea, though I wasn't sure if it would work.

"Okay, Mom's been gone so long, I miss her," Lily said, pouting.

"Then let's go find Mom together." I took Lily's hand and left Morgan's house, hailing a taxi to head to the hotel.

---

I spotted the black sedan in the hotel parking lot, right where my tracking device showed it would be. The same car that took Mom away from school. My heart pounded against my ribs as I gripped Lily's hand tighter.

"Max, is Mom here?" Lily whispered, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Yes," I tried to sound braver than I felt. "We're going in to find her."

I'd never been inside a place this fancy before, but I wasn't here to admire the architecture. I was here to rescue Mom.

"Stay close and follow my lead," I whispered to Lily as we walked through the revolving doors into the gleaming lobby. During the taxi ride, I had studied the hotel layout on my tablet.

The receptionist, a young woman with a neat ponytail, looked up as we approached the desk. I had to stand on my tiptoes to see over it.

"Excuse me, ma'am," I said in my most grown-up voice. "I'm looking for—"

The woman's eyes suddenly widened as she stared at Lily. "Miss Blackwood?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with confusion. "What are you doing down here? Didn't you just go to the restaurant with your assistant?"

I froze for a split second before my brain kicked into gear. This was unexpected but perfect. They thought Lily was Kathy.

"I, um—" Lily started, looking at me nervously.

"We got separated," I cut in smoothly. "Which restaurant did you say they went to?"

"The fourth floor," she replied, still looking confused. "Would you like me to escort you back?"

"No need," I said quickly. "We can find our way. Thank you."

As we walked toward the elevator, I whispered to Lily, "Remember how we practiced for your school play? Pretend you're playing a character."

"Like when I played the princess?" Lily asked.

"Kind of, but less smiling," I instructed. "Try to look... bored with everything."

The elevator doors closed, and I pressed the button for the fourth floor.

The restaurant was fancy with white tablecloths and crystal glasses that sparkled under chandeliers. I spotted Kathy immediately, sitting primly at a corner table with a man in a black suit.

"That's her," I whispered, pulling Lily behind a large potted plant.

Lily peeked around the leaves. "It's Kathy!"

"Shhh!" I cautioned, observing Kathy carefully. She sat with perfect posture, hands folded in her lap, wearing a blue dress. Unlike Lily's warm eyes, hers seemed cold and distant. She looked like a miniature adult, nothing like my cheerful sister.

"Ethan, when are we returning to Highland Estate?" Kathy asked.

"As soon as your father's treatment is finished here, Kathy," Ethan replied.

"Is that woman here to help Father?" Kathy asked.

Ethan seemed surprised by the question. "In a way, yes. Your father needs her."

Kathy's next words shocked me. "Then tell him to be nice to her."

"Why?" Ethan asked carefully.

"Because Father is always grumpy. And if she's helping him, he should be nice." Kathy's tone was matter-of-fact, like she was explaining something obvious.

I felt a bit angry. This man had taken Mom against her will, and he was being mean to her too?

"Come on," I whispered to Lily. "I have a plan."