Thomas Moon was surprised to see Alex's name flashing on his cell phone screen.
This was the first time Alex had called him since moving out of the main house.
'Did he call me to complain about Rory's freedom?' Thomas wondered, recalling the birthday gift he had given his daughter.
Before the last ring ended, Thomas finally answered the call. "Young Master, why are you calling at this hour?" he greeted Alex politely as if he were standing before him.
"Uncle Moon... I'm sorry to bother you at this hour," Alex's voice was heavy, and there was almost a pause in every word. This immediately made Thomas worry that something was wrong.
Quickly, Thomas got out of bed and walked to the window to look at the front yard. He saw nothing but the garden lamps illuminating the area.
Earlier, he had thought his daughter had returned home after a fight with Alex.
"It's fine, Young Master. I was just about to go to bed," Thomas said sincerely. He had just returned from the main house after serving his master, Matthew Graystone—Alex's father.
"Uncle, I regret sharing this troubling news. I just received word that Rory has been involved in a car accident. Please come with me to the hospital," Alex said, his heart heavy as he delivered the horrible news.
"What? Rory had a car accident? How is she? Is she in the hospital? Which hospital? Young Master, please tell me; I will go to her immediately..." Thomas asked, his voice trembling as he struggled to process the shocking news.
"Uncle, I'll explain everything later. Please get ready. In twenty minutes, my people will come to pick you up," Alex said, forcing the words out despite the tightness in his chest.
It felt like a heavy weight was pressing down on him, making every breath hard and painful. Still, he tried to remain calm, not wanting to cause any anxiety for Thomas Moon.
"Y-Young Master, all right. I will wait—"
"Please wait at the back door. I don't want anyone in the main house to know you left in the middle of the night," Alex suggested.
"Understood, Young Master," Thomas replied softly.
Thomas quickly dressed. It took only a few minutes for him to be ready and waiting for the pick-up while attempting to call Aurora's cell phone.
However, after several attempts to call, the phone line wouldn't connect; only the sound of a robotic voice was audible from the other end.
Thomas was feeling impatient. Although the pick-up car would not arrive for another ten minutes, he decided to go outside and wait at the back gate, eager to see his daughter.
He ignored the cold air piercing his skin, keeping his eyes fixed on the road, hoping the car would arrive soon.
However, instead of the approaching vehicle, the head guard checked if he was all right.
"Mr. Moon, are you alright? What are you doing out here on this terribly cold night?" Jacky, the head guard, asked with confusion and concern as he paused just a few steps away.
"Jacky! I'm waiting for my pick-up. I need to go to the hospital," Thomas explained about the accident involving his daughter. He was awaiting a ride to the hospital. He also asked Jacky to inform their master if he had not returned by morning.
Jacky left after some warm, caring words, and the second he was alone, Thomas became anxious and restless again. He stared at the distant road, waiting for the pick-up.
A few times, he wanted to call Alex to ask but worried about disturbing him.
Shortly after, a black luxury car stopped in front of him. The back seat door opened automatically, and Thomas was taken aback to see Alex sitting inside, looking as tense as he felt.
Thomas hadn't expected Alex to pick him up; he thought Alex was already at the hospital.
"Uncle, please hurry inside," Alex urged, noticing Thomas Moon was only staring at him without speaking.
Thomas hopped into the car and sat beside Alex. The vehicle sped away down the dark, empty road, leaving the Pine Hill area behind at full speed.
The tension inside the car grew increasingly palpable as an unsettling silence enveloped it. None of them spoke for a while, but eventually, Thomas could no longer contain his curiosity.
He turned to Alex and asked, "Young Master, why did Rory get into an accident? Is she okay?"
Alex didn't respond to Thomas right away. Instead, he focused on the road ahead, waiting for the right moment to speak.
As they neared the spot where Aurora's car had the accident, he finally spoke. "Uncle, a fuel truck hit her car right here..."
Alex pointed out of the vehicle, leaving Thomas in shock as he followed Alex's gaze.
Thomas couldn't see anything outside as the car sped by. The only remnant after the collision was the severely damaged road divider.
After they passed the area, Thomas turned his gaze back to Alex.
"Young Master, how could this happen? Why did a fuel truck come into this area?" Thomas asked, confused.
The Pine Hill area was an exclusive residential neighborhood for wealthy families, and Thomas Moon knew that this area did not have any gas stations.
Alex was stunned hearing Thomas's words. He hadn't considered that possibility; sadness and fear clouded his mind, causing him to forget about something important.
His hand clenched into a tight fist as he turned to meet Thomas's gaze.
"Uncle, I promise I will try to investigate that. But I need to tell you something..." Alex tried to appear calm, but his slightly trembling voice betrayed him.
Thomas's eyes tensed, signaling his confusion; he gasped, unable to speak.
"Rory...Rory… she, she didn't make it. The words that reached me said she had died instantly as the car was crushed and immediately engulfed by fire. The authority concludes it was Rory from her car's plate number and CCTV footage of her driving it."
Alex paused to take a deep breath before saying another word.
"I'm sorry to bring you such horrible news, Uncle. I wish it could be anything but this. Now, we must go to the hospital for the DNA test because… I still can't believe the unfortunate driver was Rory." Alex's voice caught in his throat, holding back his sadness.