Unmasking the Heart

Adrian's sharp voice echoed through the room as he confronted Mrs. Catlin. "So, Joi has been leaving this house without my knowledge?"

Mrs. Catlin flinched at his tone, her gaze dropping to the floor. "She only left to pick Isabella up from school, helping Miss Sophia. Nothing more," she stammered, her hands trembling slightly.

Adrian's piercing eyes narrowed. "And you didn't think it was necessary to inform me?"

"I didn't think it was something to worry about," she replied cautiously, though the weight of his cold glare made her voice falter.

"You didn't think?" Adrian's voice dropped, low and menacing. "Are you telling me Joi has only ever gone to Isabella's school?"

Mrs. Catlin nodded quickly, though she couldn't hide the tension in her posture.

"Who's Ruby?" Adrian's voice was razor-sharp now, cutting through her weak defenses.

Mrs. Catlin froze, her mouth opening but no sound coming out.

Adrian's eyes darkened further, his patience wearing thin. "I suggest you start talking, Mrs. Catlin, or you won't like the consequences."

When she still hesitated, Adrian shifted his focus to Isabella, softening his tone but keeping his expression unreadable. "Isabella, come here."

The little girl walked over cautiously. "Yes, Daddy?"

Adrian knelt slightly, bringing himself to her level. "Who's Ruby?" His voice was calm now, but there was no warmth in it.

"Joi's puppy," Isabella answered without hesitation.

Adrian's brow furrowed. "And how did Joi get a puppy?"

"She bought him the day you had an important meeting. She came back late, but I was already asleep. She gave me a teddy bear the next morning."

Adrian straightened, his gaze sliding back to Mrs. Catlin, who looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole. "Now, do you want to tell me what else Joi has been doing, or should I hear it all from Isabella?"

Mrs. Catlin swallowed hard. "She went to see Mayra's father for a thank-you meal. He wanted to show his gratitude after she helped his daughter."

Adrian's jaw tightened, his mind calculating. A thank-you meal? That's all? It didn't sit right with him, but there were other pressing matters.

Adrian headed to the bedroom, the tension in his shoulders visible as he opened the nightstand drawer. Taking out a small black box, he studied it for a moment, his expression hard and unreadable. With a decisive movement, he placed it inside the drawer before shutting it firmly. His mind churned with unease, the growing tension in his chest a stark reminder of Joi's absence.

He strode back to the living room, his steps purposeful, only to find Alexander standing stiffly by the door, his usual calm demeanor giving way to a trace of concern.

"Boss," Alexander began immediately, straightening as Adrian approached, "I tracked her phone. It was found abandoned in a private area. From the looks of it… something must've happened."

Adrian's eyes darkened, his jaw tightening at the words. His hand instinctively moved to pinch the bridge of his nose, a rare crack in his controlled demeanor. "What else?" he demanded, his tone sharp and unrelenting.

Alexander hesitated for a brief moment, recalling everything he'd pieced together so far. Joi rarely steps out of bounds. For her phone to be found like that… He shook off his thoughts, focusing on the task at hand. "I'm working on reviewing her recent movements. So far, nothing out of the ordinary has come up."

Adrian folded his arms, his gaze cold and calculating. "Get deeper. I don't care how small the detail is—anyone she might have crossed paths with, I want names and their connections. Understand?"

"Yes, sir," Alexander responded promptly. Holding up Joi's phone, he added, "It's locked. I'll have someone crack the password—"

Before he could finish, a small voice interrupted.

"I know Joi's password," Isabella whispered timidly, tugging at the hem of her dress.

Both men turned to the little girl, her wide eyes filled with apprehension.

"You know her password?" Adrian's voice was cold, but his piercing gaze softened slightly as he addressed her.

Isabella nodded. Alexander crouched, holding the phone out to her. "Go ahead," he encouraged, his tone uncharacteristically gentle.

Isabella's small fingers worked quickly, and the phone unlocked with ease.

"Thank you," Alexander said, taking the phone back. He glanced at Adrian, but before he could speak again, Isabella's voice cut through the silence.

"Will Joi come back tonight?" she asked hesitantly, her gaze darting between the two men. "I want to sleep with her. I'm scared."

Adrian's face remained expressionless, though there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. He didn't respond, his thoughts clouded with the growing uncertainty surrounding Joi's whereabouts.

Sophia, who had been standing quietly nearby, stepped forward, her hand resting protectively on Isabella's shoulder. "Don't worry, sweetheart," she murmured. "I'll sleep with you tonight."

Her words were gentle, but Adrian caught the calculated undertone. He shifted his cold gaze toward her, his disapproval clear.

Sophia, undeterred, smiled faintly. "It's getting late. We should go home now."

Adrian's brow arched slightly. "You said you came back looking for me. Now you're leaving?"

Sophia's expression faltered briefly before she quickly masked it with a look of feigned vulnerability. "You have a fiancée now, Adrian. I don't want to cause trouble between you two. Joi doesn't deserve that."

Adrian's sharp gaze lingered on her, his thoughts unreadable. Finally, he spoke, his tone frigid. "You can stay. But you'll sleep in one of the underground rooms."

Sophia's smile froze, and she hesitated before responding. "Why not your room? This could be a good opportunity for you and Isabella to bond as father and daughter," she suggested, her voice dripping with sweetness.

Adrian didn't respond immediately, his cold stare cutting through her façade.

Mrs. Catlin, standing silently in the background, could no longer hide her disdain. Joi is missing, and this woman's focus is on Adrian's attention? Shameless. Clearing her throat, she spoke up. "I'll go prepare some food for dinner," she said, eager to leave the room.

"Mrs. Catlin." Adrian's voice stopped her in her tracks. "Lead Sophia to my room."

Mrs. Catlin turned to him, her expression conflicted. "But Joi—"

"Now," Adrian commanded, his icy glare silencing any further protest.

Reluctantly, Mrs. Catlin gestured for Sophia to follow her. As they walked down the corridor, Sophia's expression shifted. The innocent veneer dropped, replaced by a cold, calculating look.

"Mrs. Catlin," Sophia said sharply, stopping just outside Adrian's room.

The older woman turned, frowning.

Sophia's tone turned venomous. "Stay out of my way. I don't care how much you like Joi; she doesn't belong here. If I'd known Adrian was her fiancé, I would've handled her long ago. Don't test me, or you'll regret it."

With that, she shoved past Mrs. Catlin, slamming the door behind her.

Mrs. Catlin stood there, her heart heavy with unease. Joi, wherever you are, please come back safely.