Under the Veil I Rule

The butler, a man in his fifties wearing an apron, shook his head and said, "I have no idea. I'm not a live-in butler. I just come by for a couple of hours every afternoon to tidy up and manage some of the household affairs."

"When I arrived today, I found the door wide open, and there was no one inside. I tried calling both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, but they wouldn't pick up. They probably had a fight and stormed out."

"I didn't dare call their parents, so I thought I'd better ring you first."

"You did the right thing. Let's keep this from their families for now," Finnian replied.

The butler nodded, and Finnian continued, "Stay here and keep an eye on things. We'll go out and look for them."

"Understood."noveldrama

Amara and Finnian headed downstairs. Amara suggested they split up to search for Elysia and Dorian, thinking it would be quicker.

But Finnian stopped her. "It's dark out. It's not safe for you to be wandering around alone. Stick with me."

"Not safe? We're not living in the Middle Ages," Amara retorted immediately.

"Where are you thinking of looking for Elysia?" Finnian asked. "Some bar or club?"

Amara paused. She had planned on checking some of Elysia's usual hangouts, which indeed included bars and clubs. Those places could be sketchy, filled with the wrong kind of people. Maybe it wasn't the smartest idea to go alone.

"Come with me," Finnian said gently, holding her wrist.

He glanced at Amara's face. What he didn't say was that Amara was too eye- catching to be wandering around alone at night. It just wasn't safe, and he couldn't let her go on her own.

"Alright," Amara agreed, getting into Finnian's car.

The two of them mapped out a plan and decided to start with a club on the outskirts of town, a place both Dorian and Elysia frequented.

The club was quite a drive away, so Finnian hit the highway to make up time.

As the car sped along, Finnian

noticed Amara's worried expression and tried to reassure her. "Don't

worry. That bloodstain probably isn't Elysia's Dorian wouldn't hit a woman."

Amara also doubted Dorian would stoop to hitting a woman. If anything, maybe Elysia might have lashed out in a moment of anger.

No, no, even if someone might, it wouldn't be Elysia against Dorian. She couldn't bring herself to do that.

"I'm just afraid they might have pushed and shoved during an argument, and Elysia accidentally got hurt." she said.

It was a possibility. Finnian didn't argue. "They only have a few usual spots. We'll find them soon enough. Don't worry."

Amara knew she was showing her anxiety. Finnian must have noticed and was trying to calm her down, so she nodded in acknowledgment.

Just then, with a sudden bang, their car was hit from the side. The

airbags deployed, and the gar

spun

sharply sideways, tires screeching against the asphalt. fo

Amara screamed, feeling someone grab her arm—it was Finnian.

The moment he realized they were hit, Finnian wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly.

Thanks to the airbags, neither of

them.

I was hurt, but the car slammed into the highway barrier denting it inwards and stalling the vehicle.