Mark's anxiety grew as he waited for the staff to complete their search. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. He decided to check Diana's room himself, hoping against hope that she might have returned while he was searching the grounds.
He strode down the hallway, his footsteps echoing off the walls. He reached Diana's door and pushed it open, calling out her name. "Diana? Are you here?"
But there was no response. Mark's heart sank as he stepped inside. The room was empty, just as it had been when he first started searching. Diana's bed was still made, her clothes still hung in the closet. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.
Mark's eyes scanned the room, searching for any sign of Diana. He checked her dresser, her nightstand, even her closet. But there was nothing. No note, no hint of where she might have gone.
Mark's worry turned to despair. Where could Diana be? And why hadn't she come back? He felt a sense of dread creeping over him, a feeling that something terrible had happened to the woman he loved.
He left Diana's room, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. He knew he had to find her, and fast. But where could she be?
Mark's eyes scanned the room, searching for any clue that might lead him to Diana. And then, he saw it - a small piece of paper on her bed, with an address scribbled on it in Diana's handwriting.
Mark's heart skipped a beat as he picked up the paper. The address was unfamiliar, but it looked like it might be a lead. He felt a surge of hope and quickly tucked the paper into his pocket.
He rushed out of the room, determined to follow the lead and find Diana. As he reached the foyer, he called out to Frank, his guard. "Frank, I need you to take me to this address," he said, showing him the paper.
Frank's expression turned serious as he took in the address. "Sir, I don't know if that's a good idea. We don't know what we're walking into."
But Mark was resolute. "I have to find her, Frank. Let's go."
With Frank by his side, Mark set out to follow the address and find Diana. He had no idea what they would find, but he was determined to bring her home safely.
Mark and Frank arrived at the address, and Mark's heart skipped a beat as he saw the familiar house. It was Diana's aunt's place, where she had gone to visit just hours before.
Mark's mind raced as he got out of the car and approached the house. Why had Diana written this address down? Had she been trying to leave a trail for him to follow?
Frank followed close behind as Mark knocked on the door. Lucille, Diana's aunt, answered, looking worried and frightened.
"Mark, what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"I'm looking for Diana," Mark replied, his voice firm. "I found this address in her room. What's going on, Lucille? Do you know where she is?"
Lucille hesitated, looking around nervously. "Come in, Mark. We need to talk."
Mark's instincts told him that something was wrong. He followed Lucille into the house, his heart pounding with anticipation and fear. What had happened to Diana? And what did Lucille know about it?
Lucille's eyes widened in shock as she stepped aside to let Mark in. She couldn't believe that billionaire Mark Thomas was standing in her humble living room. She had heard of him, of course, who hadn't? But she never thought she'd meet him, let alone have him show up at her doorstep.
"Please, sit down," Lucille stuttered, trying to compose herself. Mark's presence was intimidating, to say the least. He was even more handsome and imposing in person, and his sharp eyes seemed to bore into her soul.
Mark sat down, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for any sign of Diana. "Lucille, I need to know what's going on," he said, his voice firm but controlled. "Diana's missing, and I found this address in her room. What do you know about it?"
Lucille took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She had never meant for Mark to find out about Diana's visit, but now that he was here, she had no choice but to tell him the truth. "Diana came to see me earlier today," she began, her voice trembling. "She was upset about something, but she didn't tell me what. And then...and then she left, and I haven't seen her since."
Diana's eyes fluttered open, groggily taking in her surroundings. She was met with the sight of a dimly lit room, the walls made of cold, grey concrete. She tried to move, but her wrists and ankles were bound to a chair.
One of the kidnappers, a burly man with a cruel grin, stood before her, a cup of water in his hand. "Wakey, wakey, princess," he sneered, splashing the water onto her face.
Diana's head jerked back, her eyes stinging from the sudden shock. She tried to speak, but her voice was hoarse from the gag that had been tied around her mouth.
The kidnapper chuckled, clearly enjoying her distress. "You're a long way from home, Diana," he taunted. "And no one's coming to save you."
Diana's mind raced, trying to remember how she had ended up here. She remembered leaving her aunt's house, and then...nothing. Until now.
The kidnapper leaned in closer, his breath hot on her face. "You're going to make us a lot of money, Diana," he whispered. "And if you're lucky, we might just let you live."
Diana's eyes flashed with defiance, despite her fear. She knew she had to stay strong, had to find a way to escape. But for now, she was at the mercy of her captors.
Diana struggled against her restraints, trying to free herself. "Where am I?" she demanded, her voice muffled by the gag.
The kidnappers burst out laughing, their cruel amusement echoing off the cold walls. "You don't know where you are?" one of them repeated, chuckling. "That's rich!"
The burly man who had splashed water on her face leaned in closer, his grin twisted. "You're in a place where no one can hear you scream, princess," he sneered. "And even if they could, no one's coming to save you."
Diana's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with fear and determination. She knew she had to keep trying, had to find a way to escape. But for now, she was trapped, at the mercy of these ruthless men.
The kidnappers continued to laugh, their mocking gazes crawling over her like insects. Diana felt a surge of anger and humiliation, but she refused to give in. She would find a way out, no matter what it took.