"What do you mean she's gone, Lena?" Ethan's voice thundered through the night. "How could she just vanish?"
Lena stood frozen, her hands trembling as she avoided his piercing gaze.
"I—I don't know, sir... I swear I don't know where she went."
Ethan took a step closer, his frustration boiling over.
"That's not good enough! You've been with her every day, watching her, reporting to me. How could you not know where she is?"
"I'm... I'm sorry, boss," Lena stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Suddenly, Ethan's hand shot out, gripping her arm tightly.
"Sorry? That's all you've got? I paid you to keep an eye on her, to ensure she's safe, and now you're telling me you have no idea where she is?"
Lena winced but didn't pull away, her gaze fixed on the floor.
"I didn't mean for this to happen," she murmured, tears pooling in her eyes, but Ethan let out a bitter laugh, shoving her away.