With nothing left to do but to hope the police carried out their job, Alaric and Richard went to his company to see Suzie.
When they arrived at the reception, he saw her seated on a chair, with a little boy resting on her lap.
"Mr. Allens," she said, jumping to her feet.
"Hey, Suzie. How are you?" he asked, his voice soft.
Suzie and her son looked exhausted, like they hadn't slept in days. The little boy yawned, and Alaric's heart tugged with concern.
"Have… you found her?" Suzie asked as she picked up her son and placed him on her hip.
"No," he replied bitterly. "But we're working on it."
The police search had turned up empty.
Richard's computer skills hadn't been much help either.
As much as Alaric didn't want to think about it, he couldn't help but worry.
Nicolette was out there, missing.
He could only hope she was safe until they found her.
"I hope you really find her before her father does," Suzie said, her voice shaky with fright.
"We will. Don't worry," Alaric said with a reassuring smile. Then his head tilted in confusion. "What really happened? How did it happen?"
Suzie swallowed, her eyes darting from Richard, who stood behind Alaric, to him, before they dropped to the ground.
"I… just got back from work with my son when my door was suddenly broken down." Her voice was soft, and Alaric could tell she was still disturbed.
"Sit down, please," he said, pointing to the chair she had stood up from.
Suzie nodded and then sat before continuing her story. "They… rushed in, yelling, tossing everything. They kept shouting Lettie's name, and I told them I didn't know where she was."
She paused, taking a deep breath.
Alaric thought she wouldn't continue, but after a moment, she did. "They didn't listen. They… just yanked me and my child." She rubbed her baby's hair. "And they took us to Ronald's house, where… he kept questioning me.
"After a long while, we were freed, and that was when I saw Lettie…" She lifted her head, and Alaric saw the pain in her eyes.
Her pain made his chest tighten with anger, but he coughed it out, trying his hardest not to show it.
"...She wasn't okay. I could feel it. And then she said I should find you here…"
Alaric nodded, forcing a smile. "Don't worry, I'll find her."
"Alright," Suzie said, her eyes glistening with unreleased tears. "Thank you."
Alaric could tell that she was hopeful as well as he was, but doubt gleamed in her eyes. "You need to rest," he said, then turned toward the office. "Stelle!"
Stelle came in immediately. "Hello, sir."
"Book Suzie and her son a room in Le Rez Hotel till further notice," he ordered. Stelle nodded and went straight to making the arrangements. Then he turned to Suzie. "Make sure you rest, and don't hesitate to call me if you need anything."
"Thank you so much, Mr. Allens," Suzie said, shifting her son to her other lap.
"You're welcome," he said and went to his office.
Richard, who had been silent since they arrived, smiled and nodded at Suzie before following Alaric.
Once inside his office, Alaric sighed out loud as he made his way to his desk.
"That is just fucked up," Richard said, sitting opposite him. "How can a father kidnap his own child and her friend?"
Alaric had no response, and that frustrated him. He leaned against his chair, jaw clenching and fists tightening.
What was he supposed to do now?
He couldn't just sit and hope that Nicolette would waltz in like that.
What could he do?
Nothing came to mind. Maybe he was asking the wrong question.
What would he like to do?
Something popped into his head.
Alaric got to his feet, determination coursing through him. "I am going to see Ronald Voss."
Richard's eyes widened. "Are you out of your mind?"
"Maybe," he answered honestly. "But I can't sit here and hope she'll be fine. What if he's already found her and locked her up?"
The thought made Richard pale, and he stood up as well. "I'm coming with you."
"No," Alaric said, shaking his head. "It's too dangerous."
"It's too dangerous for you to go alone too," Richard countered, resolution burning in his eyes.
Alaric knew he had already lost the argument, so he just gave in. "Fine. Just let me do all the talking."
"Fine," Richard said with a sigh.
Alaric adjusted his shirt and made his way out of his office. When he got to the reception, he realized Suzie and her son were no longer there.
"That lady seemed spooked," Richard said as they headed to the car.
"Yes, she was," Alaric replied as he got in. "Uhmm, since when does Richard care about a woman?" he teased, trying to ease the tension.
"You're a fool," Richard hissed as he started the car.
Alaric chuckled, settling in. His head was racing with questions.
What would he do if he found Nicolette locked up in her father's house?
How would he even know she was there?
The questions discouraged him a little, but he shook them off, determined not to be defeated before he even got there.
When Richard pulled up to Ronald's house, Alaric's stomach knotted with discomfort. A cold sweat slid down his spine when he remembered how he had found Nicolette before—around her father's house—almost naked and disheveled.
"We're here," Richard announced.
"Let's go in," Alaric said.
Richard parked outside since the gate was closed, and they both stepped out.
Alaric kept his anxiety and fear in check as he pressed the button on the gate. He glanced around, his eyes landing on a small camera hidden in the bushes.
Richard was on alert—Alaric could tell from the gleam in his eyes and his stance.
Just when Alaric was about to press the button again, the gate opened, and a young woman walked out, her eyes wide with recognition.
"What are you doing here?"
"I am here to see Mr. Voss," Alaric replied, his voice firm.
The woman shook her head and glanced over her shoulder. "You can't be here. My dad—"
"Hillary? Who's that?"
The woman froze as she slowly turned to the voice behind her.
Alaric followed her gaze.
Ronald Voss. Good.
"Mr. Voss," Alaric said, stepping inside. Richard followed cautiously behind him.
Ronald's eyes flickered with surprise before quickly hardening with anger. "What are you doing here?" His voice was cold as he crossed his arms.
Alaric wasn't intimidated one bit. He surged forward, determination doubling in his chest. "I am here for my wife."
Ronald's anger melted into a mocking laugh. "What… you must…" he trailed off, his smirk fading when he realized Alaric was dead serious. "Get out of my house!"
Alaric cocked his head, a smirk spreading on his face. "Where is my wife?"
"You've got some guts. Get out of my house!" Ronald flared, his eyes blazing with anger.
Alaric stepped forward, his tone equally angry. "Don't make me go in there and find her myself. Let's handle this respectfully."
The silence stretched between them.
He hoped Ronald was respectful.
Actually, he was banking on it.
If Ronald decided to act and have him and Richard surrounded, that would be it.
God, he hadn't thought his actions through.
His pulse pounded in his ears as the realization set.
He had been fueled by blind rage and the determination to find Nicolette that he had gone into the lion's den without a plan.
And now thinking about it, faced with his reckless decision; how was he supposed to fight this? If Ronald decided to attack, he knew for sure that he had no chance of victory.
Still, he held his head up.
Don't let him see your fear.
Don't let him see your fear.
Ronald's lips curled into a sneer. "Respectfully?" You marched into my property, throwing accusations, and you expect respect?" He stepped closer, his tone more cold than before. "Leave. While you still can."
Alaric wanted to protest, he wanted to argue, but when Richard tapped his shoulder, signalling for them to leave, Alaric got the message.
He nodded, taking a step back. "I just wanted to see my wife."
"And you've seen that she's not here," Ronald shot back. "Now scram."
Hillary looked at him with concern, her lips slightly parted, her eyes flickering like she was trying to tell him something.
But Alaric couldn't understand it.
Who was she?
What was she trying to say?
Was Nicolette here?
Or she wasn't?
Before he could think it through, the air shifted. Two bodyguards suddenly flanked Ronald.
"Let's get out of here," Richard said, his tone urgent and filled with tension.
"Sure," Alaric replied, but his eyes were on Ronald.
"Count this as your lucky day! The next time you set foot in my house again, I won't be this lenient!" Ronald warned.
Alaric followed Richard outside the house without saying anything, though he could still feel Ronald's eyes on his back. When they got into Richard's car, Richard sighed.
"That was reckless. It could've gone south quickly."
"But it didn't," Alaric replied, his jaw locked.
Maybe it was pride. Maybe it was his determination to find Nicolette. Or simply the fact that Ronald sending him away had bruised his ego, but he wasn't ready to let it go.
Richard observed him, and his own expression changed. "What is it, Alaric? I hate that look on your face."
Alaric's mind raced as he tried to connect dots.
The fear in Hillary's eyes.
The way she had hesitated.
She had wanted to say something.
Something wasn't right.
His jaw set. "I'm going in."
Richard blinked. "What?"
Alaric faced him, his expression hard. "I have a feeling Nicolette is hidden in that house. I'm going in to find her."
Determination coursed inside him and so did anger.