"She's my sister, too."

Luella stood up straight, her eyes reddening as she spoke with intense sincerity. "She's family. Do you really think I'd just abandon her?"

"But have you even considered the consequences? If you charge in and get yourself captured, then what? Celine Sherwin is a prime example of what happens when things go wrong!"

The more Luella spoke, the more agitated she became. Knowing the other woman's fiery temper, she decided to be blunt. "I believe in her. If she had the guts to pull this stunt, she has a way out. Instead of making things worse with your worrying, we need to sit down and figure out a real strategy to extract her later."

Hearing that, the fiery impulse in Ebony's chest cooled significantly.

She stood frozen, an overwhelming sense of helplessness washing over her. She squeezed her eyes shut, and tears slowly slipped down her cheeks.

Juniper. Please, be okay.

"Ebony Fox." Luella stepped closer, reigning in her own emotions, and spoke softly. "I'll track her movements from here. Right now, there is something much more important that you need to handle."

Ebony Fox looked at her.

"Your parents... if they find out about the trade, they might completely break down." Luella's voice caught in her throat. She quickly turned her head away, her tone filled with sorrow. "Especially Dr. Sommers. Just a minute ago, she was grabbing my arm, desperately begging for news."

"I'll go talk to them."

Fully calm now, Ebony Fox opened her eyes, her resolve hardened. "I'll leave finding her to you. I'll take care of Mom and Dad."

"You got it."

Ebony Fox gave a firm nod, finalized a few details, and turned away.

...

A short while later.

Ebony Fox arrived at the safe zone, surrounded by heavily armed Subterra Vanguard operatives.

She hesitated for a long time before finally summoning the courage to push the door open.

Inside, Theia, still in her white lab coat, was pacing frantically.

She had heard that both of her daughters were on Wraithfall Mountain. Terrified that something terrible had happened, she wanted to go out and get updates, but wasn't allowed to leave the room.

Just as her anxiety reached its peak, the door cracked open.

A girl dressed in sleek men's tactical gear walked in. She was strikingly beautiful yet exuded a fierce

androgynous edge, but right now,

her head hung low in defeat.

Theia froze, staring at her in stunned silence.

After a few seconds, her lips trembled, and she asked cautiously, "Are you... Four?"

"I am."

Ebony Fox looked up, unable to stop her eyes from welling up. "Mom."

"Oh, my baby."

Theia rushed forward and pulled her into a tight, desperate embrace, tears spilling down her face Thank

God you're safe. You have no idea how terrified I was." fo FindNovel.net

"I'm fine," Ebony Fox whispered, swallowing her crushing guilt.

"Where's your sister?"

After frantically checking her over to make sure she wasn't hurt, Theia peered behind her. "Where is she? Did she make it out?"

At the mention of Juniper, the color drained entirely from Ebony's face. Her mouth opened, but she couldn't find the words.

She had come to Sanctum Holdings to protect her little sister. But in the end, she had failed.

"She..." Ebony Fox clenched her jaw, her voice thick with agonizing guilt. "We don't know where she is. Corvus... he might have taken her."

"What?"

Theia had barely slept in days. Her body was already fragile, and her nerves were frayed.

The sudden, devastating blow was too much. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed, losing consciousness completely.

...

Meanwhile, at Cloudscape Community.

Shanley Schwartz had been confined to his room for hours. With absolutely no word

from Juniper, his expression was so icy it was terrifying.

"It seems you've all forgotten exactly who you work for."

"We remember perfectly," his men, muttered, their heads bowed. None of them dared to meet his eyes as they answered meekly, Ms. Payne is the Boss."

Shanley felt like his lungs were going to explode from sheer fury.