“Missing?” Shane frowned before continuing, “How did they end up missing?”
“There were several factors. Some ran away with friends they made on the internet, some fell for employment scams, and some got abducted in the back alleys where there was no surveillance. Rumors have it that… ” Devon’s voice trailed off.
Shane demanded vehemently, “Say it.”
“There has been an increase in overseas scams recently, with single women and young girls being the easy targets. Didn’t Mrs. Lundberg mention that someone was stalking her before she went missing?”
I did mention this to him a few days before I went missing.
While we were on the phone, Shane’s irritated tone could be heard from the other end, saying, “You’re Allison Schultz. Who would dare to stalk you? With the wedding around the corner, it’s best that you stop visiting Children’s Home for the time being.
“If you’re really that scared, just get a few more bodyguards. I have other things to do.”
The charitable foundation was established collectively in both my name and Shane’s. He was influential, having raised tens of millions in charity funds.
The pandemic from two years ago swept across the entire city, claiming the lives of couples and leaving their children orphaned. The charity’s funds were used on these poor many children.
After my miscarriage, I put all of my work aside and spent most of my last three months in Children’s Home, taking care of the orphans.
To Shane, even if there weren’t any bodyguards by my side, I’d at least have the driver with me during my frequent travels to and fro. It was difficult for him to imagine that something could happen to me. He did not care about me at all.
It was only at this moment that Shane recalled his indifference toward me at the time.
“She did. Are you saying she was deceived and got taken away by the scammers? You can’t be serious.
“Allison grew up in a wealthy home and has been living in luxury her entire life, do you think some chump change would entice her? There’s no way that scams like these would work on her,” Shane said.
Then, he continued, “It seems like we’ve all overlooked one aspect.”
Shane seemed to have thought of something. “Get the car ready. Let’s head out to Children’s Home! Everything that matters to her is there. Allison must be there!”
Chapter51
Other than the day the charitable foundation was established, he had not set foot in Children’s
Home for the past year.
Whenever I gave him the artwork made by the children, he would just cast them aside.
This was actually his first time stepping into the courtyard.
The courtyard was huge. Except for some plants and flowers lining the edges, the courtyard was filled mostly with the children’s items.
But he was not in the mood to appreciate this scene in front of him. He entered in haste.
The sound of faint twinkling filled the air.
The children made the beaded doorway curtain from shells. A symphony of children’s laughter could be heard pouring out from inside.
Shane picked up his pace. The look of anticipation on his face grew.
He saw a woman with her back to him. He reached out to take her hand and said, “Ally.”
The woman, who was dressed in a white mink sweater, turned around. It was a beautiful face,
but it was not me.
“M–Mr. Lundberg?”
Shane’s gaze turned sullen. It was surprising to see that he could be disappointed from realizing that the person was not me; that there could be an air of awkwardness from this
mistaken encounter.
“Sorry, I took you for someone else. Do you know me?”
The woman gave him a smile, one that was graceful yet full of warmth.
She then introduced herself, saying, “I’m Susie Fuller. I’ve just returned to the country. You’re a well–known figure, and I’ve heard a lot about you.”
It was only now that Shane recalled that the third daughter of the Fullers had returned to the country. She was also one of the marriage prospects that Anthony had chosen for Damon.
Shane released his grip immediately and apologized, “My apologies, Ms. Fuller. I’ve mistaken you for someone else.”
“It’s fine. I wonder who you could have mistaken me for?” Shane replied indifferently, “My wife.”
Chapter 52
