Three Months Later!
The social media storm had subsided, but Alexandra's name remained a mystery to the public. Her family's reputation was at stake, and they were desperate to find her. In a lavish mansion, the grandmother's tears flowed like a river. "Oh, my poor child!" she wailed, her voice echoing through the halls. She blamed herself for being impartial, for not noticing her granddaughter's struggles.
The grandmother's accusations continued. "You and your wife, you were so blinded by Ryker's ambition and Rachel's excellence," she chided. The mother shifted uncomfortably. "We loved our daughter," she protested. But her tone lacked conviction. Their love had always been conditional. They had grown accustomed to the world of business, where relationships were transactional.
Just then, the eldest sister, Rachel, walked into the room. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of concern, tinged with indifference. "Your sister's gone missing," the grandmother said, tears streaming down her face. Rachel's eyes widened, but her expression remained ambiguous. "What? Why didn't anyone tell me?" She turned to her parents. "You should have told me sooner."
The father cleared his throat. "We didn't want to worry you, dear." Rachel's gaze narrowed. "You're always so focused on Ryker and his success, and my own projects. What about our sister?" Her voice was laced with accusation, but her tone remained detached. The mother looked away, unable to meet Rachel's gaze. "We love all our children," she murmured. But Rachel's words struck a chord.
Their youngest daughter, Alexandra, once a shy and reserved child, had surprised them with her business acumen. With her grandfather's guidance, she had excelled. The family business was thriving, thanks to her efforts. But they never truly understood her. Inside the company, her grandfather held the reins as CEO, while she was more of a secretary. Outside, however, she was the face of the company, the CEO. Her success had been a facade, a carefully crafted image.
But despite the charade, she had risen to the challenge. However, Alexandra knew the harsh truth: she had been erased from the family genealogy. They had cut ties with her, disowned her. The Weeks of Accusations had sealed her fate. Her family had declared her dead to them, and she knew it.
Ryker and Sophia watched from the sidelines. "Let's keep a low profile," Ryker whispered. Sophia nodded. "This scandal could tarnish our image." Their indifference stung. As the family's facade crumbled, one truth emerged: their love was a luxury they couldn't afford.
The grandmother's tears continued to flow. She knew she was at fault too. She had been impartial, just like her son. But she couldn't bear the thought of losing her granddaughter. "Find Alexandra," she begged. But as the search began, a haunting question lingered: would they find her before it was too late? They had no fear of not finding her, and so they continued with their lives.