David turned sharply to Tony, his voice low but commanding.
Call everyone. I want every street, alley, and camera checked. Find him.
With that, the entire house erupted into motion.
David made countless calls for hours, his voice growing more strained with each unanswered lead. Meanwhile, Dnie paced restlessly, her panic increasing by the minute.
"It's been four hours," she finally said, her voice trembling. We should go back to where Mark disappeared. Maybe will find any clue.
David shook his head, jaw tight with frustration. "If they had the guts to take him from there, they've already covered their tracks. You know that, Dnie."
She looked at him, eyes wide and desperate. "Then why hasn't anyone called? If this was one of your enemies, they would've reached out by now. What do they want?"
Fear was settling into her bones, and it showed. Everyone in the room knew how deeply Dnie cared about Mark her panic wasn't just understandable; it was expected.
Tony pulled Lainai aside, lowering his voice. "It's getting late. You should head back for now. If we hear anything, or if he contacts us, we'll let you know."
He handed her a card. Lainai hesitated, eyes flicking toward the door, unwilling to leave.
I don't want to go… not while he's still out there.
"I know," Tony said, more gently this time. But we've got people searching. Go home. We'll call you if we get any information.
Reluctantly, she took the card and left.
By 2 a.m., there was still no word. No calls. No trace. No clue.
No one dared go to bed not while David was still awake, pacing like a caged animal. But when he noticed the staff and family all lingering with tired, anxious eyes, he finally spoke.
"Get some rest. All of you. I'll handle the rest tonight."
No one moved at first. They all just stood there, watching him. He hadn't shed a tear, but the regret was clear on his face etched in every hard line, in every sigh that didn't quite make it out of his chest.
David turned and walked to his room alone.
The moment David stepped into his room, the silence hit him like a wave. He didn't move at first just stood there, staring out at the glittering city lights beyond the glass.
He slowly walked to the balcony, slid the door open, and stepped into the cool night air. The wind kissed his face, but it didn't ease the heaviness in his chest.
This is my fault…
He gripped the railing tightly, his knuckles turning white.
Out of jealousy, I listened to him. I let him go without a car. Without a bodyguard. I could've ordered my men to follow him discreetly… But I didn't.
His jaw clenched as guilt curled deep in his stomach.
"I just hope he's okay," he whispered to no one.
He closed his eyes, and all he could see was the fear in Mark's eyes at the moment. He couldn't imagine what Mark might be going through now, what kind of danger he could be in. The possibilities tormented him.
And the fact that David had just returned from a violent mission only days ago, already exhausted and emotionally stretched, made everything worse. He had come back hoping for peace…
He checked his phone again.
Nothing.
No messages.
No missed calls.
He waited. Still nothing.
The ache in his chest deepened as he turned and walked back into the room, dragging the weight of his regret behind him like a shadow.
Mark sat on the cold floor, his back pressed against the damp, unfamiliar wall. The room was dimly lit barely enough light to make out his surroundings. His hands were trembling, and every sound beyond the door made his heart jolt.
He had no idea where he was.
The last thing he remembered was excusing himself to the restroom. Then nothing. A blur of dizziness. The sensation of falling. A voice? A shadow? He wasn't sure. Everything had gone black.
Now he was here. Somewhere underground, maybe. The air was thick and smelled faintly of mold and metal. He tried to scream earlier, but his throat was raw and dry. No one answered.
David...Just thinking of his name made tears sting his eyes. Would he be searching for him by now? Would anyone even know he was missing?
Mark's knees drew up to his chest as he tried to stay quiet, listening. He didn't know if whoever brought him here was watching, or if they'd come back. He didn't want to find out.
He hugged himself tightly, shivering not from the cold, but from the terror sinking into his bones.
Please, David... find me. I don't care what my punishment will be after, I just want to go home.
He buried his face in his arms and tried not to cry, but a quiet sob broke out anyway.
He was scared. Alone.
And he didn't know how much longer he could take it.
Morning crept in like a ghost silent, unwelcome.
The house was awake, but it might as well have been a funeral. The living room was full.
Dnie sat with her arms crossed tightly, her eyes locked on the front door as if expecting Mark to walk through it any second. Tony leaned against the wall, jaw clenched, not saying a word. Even the guards were quieter than usual standing, pacing, checking the time, again and again.
But no one touched breakfast.
Not a single plate moved. The food laid out on the table had long gone cold, untouched, and forgotten.
David sat in silence on the edge of the couch, elbows on his knees, staring at the floor. He hadn't slept. Not a minute. The weight of failure sat heavily on his shoulders, suffocating him.
Then a chime.
Everyone's heads turned.
David slowly lifted his phone. A single message glowed on the screen.
UNKNOWN NUMBER
"He's with me."
A cold hush swept through the room.
David's heart stopped. His eyes scanned the next line, his grip tightening on the phone.
"Don't trace this. Don't act smart. What I want is simple give me the hard drive from the auction you just won. That's it. I'll send a location. Drop it there. No games. No tricks. After that, I'll tell you where to pick up your boy. But if you try anything else… consider him gone."
There was no name. No threat of violence. Just a calculated, surgical demand cold and professional.
David stood.
Dnie moved first. "What is it? Who is it?"
He didn't answer right away. His knuckles were white as he handed the phone to Tony, who read the message aloud.
A storm built in David's eyes.
"That hard drive…" Tony muttered. "It's worth millions. And secrets are a lot more dangerous than that."
David's voice was ice. "It's not worth Mark's life."
But we don't know who, Dnie began.
"I don't care who," David cut her off. "They have him. That's all I need to know."
He turned toward his office. "Tony set up the drive. I want it packed for delivery."
"Boss, you gonna hand it over just like that?"
David paused, just at the door, without looking back.
"I'd burn down this city to get him back. One drive is nothing."