Chapter 352

Chapter 352:

Arriving at Alan’s place, Gracie pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Alan and Jane sat on the couch. Jane’s eyes were bloodshot, and her lips had turned purple—a clear sign she had been crying for a long while.

“What’s the emergency?” Gracie took the seat opposite them. “Name your terms for returning my mother’s things p>

Jane lurched forward, sinking to her knees to grasp Gracie’s hands. “Please, just tell me where Ellie is! She’s my only child. I’ll give you anything—stocks, jewelry. Anything p>

“Jane!” Alan yanked her up roughly. “Have some dignity. You don’t beg someone like her p>

Jane’s voice wavered as she spoke. “What’s so wrong with lowering myself to beg her? It costs me nothing. If it leads to finding Ellie, I would endure anything—shouting, humiliation, even a slap—I wouldn’t hesitate p>

Alan exhaled heavily. “Gracie is your daughter, too. She wouldn’t just sit back and do nothing p>

“Are you done?” Gracie’s voice was ice. “State your business. I’m not here for a performance p>

Jane wiped her tears, her eyes red, and stared at Gracie. “I haven’t heard from Ellie in nearly a week. She’s never vanished like this. Something terrible has happened, I know it. You’re clever, you have connections… please, help me bring her home p>

“Find Ellie, and you get your mother’s things. Otherwise, don’t expect any mercy from us!” Alan cut in.

Gracie’s brow creased as she studied the pair.

Jane’s fear looked genuine; the woman was practically unraveling.

“You’ve misdirected your plea,” Gracie stated. “I have no idea where Ellie is. If anyone knows, it’s her husband, Theo. Ask him p>

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“Don’t you care about your mother’s things anymore?” Alan’s composure snapped. “You’re just going to sit back and do nothing? Ellie is your blood, your half-sister! How can you be so heartless p>

Jane joined in, sobbing. “She’s still family, no matter the past. You’ve married into the Stanley family now; you have power, resources. Finding one missing person should be simple for you. When your father and I are gone, you and Ellie will only have each other p>

“Enough.” Gracie lifted a hand, cutting them off. “My mother had one child. Me. I’ve never had a sister, and I’m not about to invent one today p>

She stood, her gaze turning glacial. “If you’re actually worried about Ellie, go knock on Theo’s door. You might be in for quite the surprise p>

She turned on her heel and headed for the exit.

“Stop her!” Alan barked. At once, half a dozen black-clad security men stepped in front of the double doors, blocking her path.

Gracie pivoted slowly, her expression lethal. “So persuasion failed, and now it’s threats p>

“This isn’t something we can debate. We need your help. We have no way of getting into that place ourselves to look for her; after all, it’s not ours to enter.” Alan’s face hardened. “Phone Brayden Stanley right now and make him help p>

He took a menacing step closer. “Find Ellie, and you walk out of here. Otherwise, you’re not leaving this house p>

Just then, a slow clap echoed through the foyer. Every head snapped toward the entrance.

Brayden emerged from the shadows, flanked by his own guards, his sharp gaze locked on Gracie. “Come here,” he said quietly.

Gracie crossed the marble floor, astonishment flickering across her features. “What are you doing here p>

“I noticed how quickly you rushed out and got concerned, so I came after you. I never imagined… you would really need my help.” Brayden spoke casually as he took her hand. “Next time, make sure you’re not alone p>

“Okay.” She gave a small nod. “They’re desperate to find Ellie p>