Qiao Xi Is Missing!

As Qiao Xi stepped out of the director's office, she immediately noticed Dr. Yan and Shu Xue anxiously waiting outside.

"Qiao Xi, how did it go? I already explained to Director Xu. Your diagnosis wasn't wrong, and I've reviewed the prescription myself," said Dr. Yan, usually calm and collected, now visibly shaken.

He looked at her with guilt-ridden eyes. "It's all my fault! I fell for a scam call! The video online must have been taken by Wang Dafu—it's targeted at you."

An unsigned prescription might result in just a fine, but practicing medicine without a license carried far more severe consequences.

Qiao Xi forced a weak smile. "Dr. Yan, it's not your fault. It's my lack of experience."

"I'll clarify things online!" Dr. Yan said resolutely.

"There's no need."

Qiao Xi grabbed his hand and said, "They only believe what they see, and we don't have evidence. If you step forward, they'll just target you too."

Unfortunately, the consultation room wasn't under surveillance—they had banked on this loophole.

Was it Huo Beiting pulling the strings, or Su Weiwei?

"Dr. Yan, don't worry about me. Think about who I am." Qiao Xi deliberately reassured him, and Dr. Yan heaved a sigh of relief.

She was Huo Xingzhou's wife, after all.

"If you need help, you can always come to me."

Dr. Yan said before rushing off to his duties.

Qiao Xi took a deep breath and turned to Shu Xue, who looked concerned. "Did you find out anything?"

"Yes."

Shu Xue linked arms with her. "Wang Dafu and his wife are staying at a nearby Four Seasons Motel. I know the owner—he's in room 302. Should I go with you?"

"The nurse station is so busy. You'll just get scolded by the head nurse again later."

"Your situation is more important. Let's go together. Put on your mask—there are reporters outside."

Qiao Xi nodded firmly.

"Let's go!"

They took a detour through the back entrance, navigating a long route to the motel.

The motel's facilities were rudimentary, and the dimly lit hallways added a sense of unease.

They took the creaky elevator to the third floor. Shu Xue held up her phone and winked at Qiao Xi. "If they can record secretly, so can we. Keep an eye out and catch Wang Dafu in the act."

"Got it."

They walked down the corridor and knocked on the door of room 302.

"Who is it?" A woman's voice called from inside.

"Delivery for toiletries," Shu Xue said, pitching her voice.

The middle-aged woman, unsuspecting, opened the door. As soon as she did, Shu Xue and Qiao Xi barged in.

They immediately spotted Wang Dafu lounging on the bed with a cigarette in hand, drinking leisurely.

"Dr. Qiao!"

"Wang Dafu!"

Startled, Wang Dafu jumped to his feet.

No further diagnosis was needed—it was clear he was faking.

Shu Xue raised her phone and started recording furiously. "Qiao Xi, I got it! This scumbag was faking all along. We'll upload this online later!"

The truth would dispel all the rumors, and Qiao Xi's punishment wouldn't be as severe.

"You little witch! Husband, grab them!"

The couple lunged at them, trying to snatch the phone.

"Qiao Xi, go! I'll hold them off!" Shu Xue shouted as she blocked the door. "They won't dare hurt me! Just go!"

Qiao Xi grabbed the phone, gritted her teeth, and said, "Be careful. I'll find help!"

"You little tramp, don't run!"

Shu Xue wrestled with the woman while Wang Dafu charged into the hallway after Qiao Xi.

The elevator was too slow. Qiao Xi pushed open the emergency exit and bolted down the stairs.

Panting heavily, Wang Dafu leaned against the wall, a sinister smile curling his lips.

Qiao Xi slowed her pace when she heard nothing behind her. She glanced back—and a pungent, choking gas sprayed toward her. Her head swam, and she lost consciousness instantly.

Elsewhere, Shu Xue rushed back to the hospital.

"Has anyone seen Qiao Xi?"

Qiao Xi had taken the phone, leaving her unable to contact anyone. During her fight with Wang Dafu's wife, the woman had inexplicably let go, and both Wang Dafu and Qiao Xi had vanished.

"No, she hasn't returned."

"Shu Xue, the head nurse is looking for you."

"I've got an emergency!" Shu Xue was frantic.

She searched every floor of the hospital but found no trace of Qiao Xi. Something must have happened!

She rummaged through Qiao Xi's file at the desk and found the emergency contact section. Picking up the landline, she dialed the number.

"Hello, is this Mr. Huo? Qiao Xi is missing! We went to confront Wang Dafu and caught him faking in a video, but then..." Shu Xue explained everything.

"I understand. Thank you for the information."

On the other end of the line, Huo Xingzhou hung up.

In the villa's living room, the man sat in his wheelchair, his gaze as cold and sharp as blades forged from ice.

"Apologies, Mr. Huo. I assumed there wouldn't be any danger at the motel and didn't follow her in," said the man in camouflage, bowing his head apologetically.

Huo Xingzhou ignored him and instead turned to the technician working on the device. "Have you pinpointed the location?"

He had been notified the moment Qiao Xi went missing.

"Got it!" The technician exclaimed. "Her phone is still on the move, with GPS enabled, but it's possible the kidnappers took it to mislead us."

"Bring the equipment. Old Chen, let's move." Huo Xingzhou spoke calmly.

"Yes, sir."

Putting on his Bluetooth earpiece, Huo Xingzhou stood and left the villa. Old Chen drove as they followed the coordinates.

Huo Xingzhou remained composed, but Old Chen could sense the storm brewing in his eyes. If Zhuo Feng had abducted Mrs. Huo, things could take a grim turn—revenge would surely be brutal.

Huo Xingzhou methodically issued orders. "Zhou Yu, retrieve all surveillance footage near the motel and identify any suspicious vehicles. Report the license plates to me."

"Chen Xun, inform the police and request their involvement."

He turned off his phone's vibration mode, set the ringtone to the loudest, and kept his eyes fixed on the black screen.

As if by instinct, his phone screen suddenly lit up. It was a call from "Wife."

His fingers tingled as he swiped to answer.

The line connected, but there was no sound. The technician quickly traced the signal, triangulating the position based on the base station interactions.

The location pointed to the outskirts of the western suburbs, an abandoned construction site once owned by the Huo family.

Once envisioned as a bustling future city, it now lay in ruins, surrounded by archaeological projects and deserted buildings.

Putting the call on speaker, the phone relayed chaotic sounds: rustling clothes, rolling wheels, an engine roaring, faint breathing...

Finally, the car screeched to a halt.

The door slammed open violently, and a scream pierced the silence.