Walter worked through the entire night. Only when he returned to Davis Manor House for breakfast did he notice Amy’s absence.
“Did Amy sleep in?”
Mrs. Davis was feeding Nathan in her arms. At the mention of Amy’s name, her brow furrowed as she exchanged a glance with Michelle.
“Didn’t you ask me to teach her some manners yesterday?”
“I barely scolded her before she slammed the door and stormed off. Who knows where she’s been fooling around all night.”
“Walter, Amy’s completely out of line. First she caused Robert’s death, now she’s trying to harm Nathan.
“With a daughter–in–law like this, our Davis line will end. Cast her aside immediately. Michelle here is far better- sensible and truly cares for Nathan.”
Michelle demurely lowered her eyes, awaiting Walter’s response.
But Walter remained silent, his dark eyes stormy.
He knew Amy. She wasn’t one to lose her temper and flee impulsively, let alone vanish overnight.
He dialed her number, only to hear the automated prompt–her phone was off.
An inexplicable dread unfurled in Walter’s chest.
Yet remembering how Amy’s parents passed away two years ago, leaving him as her sole family and this manor her only home, he felt a sliver of reassurance.
He was certain she couldn’t leave him.
Nathan’s arrival had indeed strained their relationship recently, but Walter believed time would heal all.
Amy would grow to love Nathan, treating him as her own.
Then they’d be a happy family of three once more.
Seeing Walter drop the subject of Amy’s whereabouts, Michelle grew anxious.
“Madam hasn’t been well mentally lately. I heard she’s had suicidal tendencies before… I’m concerned…”
The moment she spoke, Walter glanced at his watch–he’d forgotten Amy’s depression.
As his fingertip brushed his phone screen, the lock screen notification froze the blood in his veins.
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Chapter 11
“Device ‘Amy’s Watch‘ abnormal heart rate detected: 0 bpm.”
The icy digits burned like red–hot needles stabbing into his vision.
He stared blankly at the screen for three seconds before the phone clattered from his trembling hand.
“Amy…”
His voice shook, fingers too unsteady to grip the device.
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Clutching his last shred of composure, Walter opened the tracking app. The red dot marking Amy’s location lay mo- tionless beneath a suburban bridge.
He lunged into his car, slamming the accelerator before the door fully closed. The vehicle sped off like an arrow.
Michelle and Mrs. Davis exchanged looks and rushed after him.
They arrived to find Walter kneeling on the ground, clutching a blood–smeared watch with its face shattered into pieces. He stared vacantly at the earth.
Why would Amy come here?
What happened to her last night in this place?
Mrs. Davis gestured toward the empty bridge underpass, frowning at Michelle.
During the drive, she’d rehearsed tirades against Amy, anticipating the disgrace of finding her pinned beneath home- less men.
Michelle frowned in confusion–she’d personally watched vagrants drag Amy into that hole last night. They couldn’t
all have vanished.
Unless…
Michelle widened her eyes, a flicker of delight flashing in their depths.
What if those homeless men went too far last night and killed Amy?
They’d have dumped the body and fled, leaving an empty bridge underpass.
The more she imagined it, the more thrilled she felt, clenching her fist to suppress her glee.
She walked over to Walter and gently touched his shoulder. “Mr. Davis, your wife should be fine.”
Mrs. Davis chimed in. “She’s a grown woman–what could possibly happen?”
“But why would a married woman come to this desolate bridge underpass at midnight? For an affair?”
“Amy’s so timid–isn’t she terrified of water?
“With this lake right here, I don’t buy her coming alone. Something’s fishy.”
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Walter turned to Mrs. Davis, his bloodshot eyes icy and terrifying, his expressionless face radiating cold.
Mrs. Davis instantly fell silent.
Minutes later, both sides of the law got word: fifty million for finding Amy.
Walter stood guard by the river as excavators and water pumps lined up above the underpass.
“Drain it.”
He’d see her alive or dead.
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