Chapter 134: Found
If someone is determined to hide, it doesn't matter how many "missing person" posters you plaster across the city or how thoroughly you search every corner. If they don't leave their hideout, the posters are useless. If you scour one place, they can simply move elsewhere.
Thus, Lucas Zeller's grand effort with missing person ads proved futile. Despite his messages plastered across every street and alley, Claire Grace seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace behind.
---
On the third day of the search:
"Hey, do you think she might've gone to France with Blaine?" Lauren Wells suddenly suggested.
"Impossible. Didn't you go with me to Blaine's gallery the other day? His staff said he went to France alone," Roy Lin quickly refuted.
"Well, she couldn't have just evaporated, right?" Lauren gave him a pointed look before turning to Lucas. "Have you thought of anything else? Any other way to contact Claire?" She couldn't hold back her frustration any longer. Why was Lucas so silent and brooding? Shouldn't he be the one losing his mind over this?
"I'm tired. I'm heading home," Lucas said coldly before walking away into the dusk, leaving the couple stunned.
---
By the time Lucas returned to his apartment—a place he hadn't stepped into for days—it was already dark. The lights in the living room were still on, but there wasn't a single soul in sight.
He collapsed onto the couch, exhaustion weighing him down. His thoughts turned to his heated words to Blaire a few days ago, telling her to leave immediately and not show her face again for the foreseeable future.
Was Blaire really gone? She'd probably gone back to the U.S., right? Lucas wondered what she might say to his parents. It wouldn't be surprising if his parents came storming back in a few days demanding answers. Yet none of that mattered right now. His overwhelming concern was Claire. Where could she have gone? How was it possible to find no trace of her despite every effort?
Just as he was mulling over his helplessness, a faint rustling sound came from behind him—the unmistakable noise of a suitcase being dragged. His tired body tensed as a wave of hope surged through him. Spinning around, he saw... Blaire Zeller.
She was struggling to wheel her suitcase toward the door. When she noticed Lucas standing in the living room, her steps faltered. For a moment, she seemed ready to say something, but her sharp eyes caught the flash of disappointment in his gaze.
He thought she was Claire, didn't he? Blaire bit her lip, torn between relief and bitterness. His disappointment confirmed he hadn't found Claire yet, which meant he wouldn't know what Blaire had told Claire about his deceit.
"I'm sorry," Blaire said softly. "I was delayed because I went to the hospital to pick up some medical records yesterday. But don't worry, I'll leave right now. I'll stay at a hotel tonight and catch the earliest flight tomorrow. I promise you'll never see me again." Her voice wavered, but she forced herself to maintain composure as she resumed dragging her suitcase.
Lucas's gaze lingered on her fragile, limping figure as she moved away.
Despite his anger toward her, he couldn't ignore the pang of sadness in his chest. They had grown up together, like siblings. How had things fallen apart so badly?
He opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by the sudden chime of his phone.
"Hello? ...What? She's with you? Who is this? ...Alright, text me the address. I'll be there right away."
For the first time in days, Lucas's face lit up with a smile. He dashed out of the apartment, brushing past Blaire. His expression softened momentarily as he glanced at her, but before he could speak, Blaire interrupted him.
"Did you find her, Lucas?" she asked quietly.
He nodded, eager to leave, completely missing the flash of panic in Blaire's eyes.
"Lucas, can I come with you?" she called after him.
Lucas froze mid-step but didn't turn around. "What? So you can say something even more hurtful to her? I won't let you push her further away."
"No, Lucas. I want to apologize to her in person," Blaire pleaded. She hobbled toward him, abandoning her suitcase. "I really regret what I did. Please give me a chance to make amends."
Lucas studied her for a moment, unsure whether to trust her.
"Lucas," Blaire whispered, her voice laced with desperation.
With a resigned sigh, Lucas nodded.
---
Meanwhile, Sarah stood on her balcony, finishing a phone call when Claire Grace's voice startled her from behind.
"Sarah, who were you talking to?"
Sarah clutched her chest in shock. "Claire! Could you stop sneaking up on me like that?" She walked back inside, trying to deflect Claire's question.
But Claire followed her, sitting cross-legged on the floor. "Did you call him?"
Sarah hesitated but didn't lie. "Yes, I called Lucas."
"Is he coming here?" Claire asked nervously.
Sarah tilted her head. "Claire, you've seen how hard he's been searching for you. Do you really want to keep running away?"
"I don't want to see him right now," Claire admitted, pacing back and forth before grabbing her bag.
"Wait, are you planning to leave before he gets here?" Sarah asked, following her.
"I'm sorry, Sarah. I know you're trying to help, but I just can't face him," Claire said, pulling out her phone to make a call.
"Fine, but you know he loves you, right?" Sarah gestured toward the giant screen outside, which had been broadcasting Lucas's messages for days. "Doesn't all this mean anything to you?"
"Sarah..." Claire shook her head, unwilling to be swayed.
Defeated, Sarah muttered, "Your heart must be made of stone."