Amber's Disappearance

Hart's curiosity about the girl who paid for Shawn's Tesla was piqued, and James revealed that she's Tom Williams' daughter. Hart was shocked, having thought Tom never had children. James, Tom's personal assistant, suggested that Tom might be keeping her identity hidden to protect her from Andrew, given his past loss.

Hart reflected on his past friendship with Tom, which drifted apart after Tom's wife passed away. He expressed concern for Tom's daughter, wondering if Tom would ensure her safety now that her identity is no longer a secret. Hart's thoughts then shifted to Shawn, acknowledging that he might have been too harsh in punishing him without investigating the situation at Mr. Steve's wedding. James reassured Hart that he acted with good intentions, looking out for Shawn's well-being. Hart's emotions got the better of him as he mentioned Amber, Shawn's mother, and wondered about her whereabouts, having been gone for seven years.

*****

Seven years ago

The warm sunlight filtering through the garden's lush greenery cast a serene ambiance, a perfect accompaniment to the gentle hum of nature. Hart and Amber strolled hand in hand, their laughter and whispers carrying on the breeze.

"Honey, I'm kind of hungry," Hart said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Amber chuckled, her voice melodious. "You're always hungry, Hart. Always."

Together, they walked into the house, the kitchen's warmth enveloping them. Amber began rummaging through the cupboards, her movements fluid. "So, what would you like to eat?"

Hart settled onto a chair, crunching into an apple. "Pasta."

Amber smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Okay then."

As she chopped the vegetables, Hart snuck up behind her, his arms wrapping around her waist. He nuzzled her neck, his lips leaving a gentle kiss.

"I'll chop these," he whispered, his breath sending shivers down her spine. "Why don't you get the sauce ready?"

Amber's cheeks flushed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Okay, sweetie, but to do that, you have to let go of me."

Hart's grip tightened, his teeth leaving a playful love bite on her neck. "It's done."

Amber's eyes rolled, her voice laced with mock exasperation. "What is?"

Hart's grin was unrepentant. "I marked you again."

Amber sighed, her fingers brushing against the tender skin on her neck,

"My neck cries out every day. Do you know how hard it is to hide this?"

Hart's chuckle was low, husky. "It's love, honey. Go get the beef while I chop these."

As Amber turned to the refrigerator, Hart's gaze followed her, his heart swelling with love. But when she didn't respond to his next question, a faint sense of unease crept in.

"Did Shawn tell you about the talent show at his school tomorrow?" Hart asked, his voice carrying across the kitchen.

The silence was oppressive, heavy with an unspoken presence. Hart's eyes narrowed as he turned to the fridge, his instincts prickling.

"Hun?" he called out, his voice softer, more tentative.

The kitchen was empty, the only sound was the soft hum of the refrigerator. Hart's heart skipped a beat as he spun around, his eyes scanning the room.

"Amber?" he called out, his voice rising, a thread of panic weaving its way into his tone.

The silence was deafening, a cold dread creeping up Hart's spine. He tore through the house, his footsteps echoing off the walls.

"Amber, come on! You know I don't like this type of game. Come out now!"

But there was no response, only an oppressive silence that seemed to suffocate him. Hart's world was crumbling, his mind reeling with the unthinkable.

Hart's eyes scanned the kitchen, his mind replaying the events leading up to Amber's disappearance. He retraced his steps, his gaze falling on the spot where Amber had last stood. That's when he saw it - a small piece of paper on the floor, right in front of the refrigerator.

He picked it up, his heart racing with anticipation. The paper revealed a cryptic image - an image, resembling a leopard, with the word "$LÅZENGER" scribbled below. Hart's brow furrowed in confusion. What did this symbol mean?

Despite his relentless efforts, Hart couldn't uncover any information about the mysterious paper or the symbol. It was as if it didn't exist. The lack of answers only deepened the mystery, leaving Hart with more questions than ever.

As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, Hart struggled to come to terms with Amber's disappearance. He couldn't bring himself to tell Shawn the truth - that his mother had vanished into thin air. Instead, he opted for a more palatable explanation.

"Your mother went on a business trip, son," Hart told Shawn, trying to sound reassuring. "She'll be back soon."

But as the months dragged on, Shawn began to lose hope. His mother's prolonged absence weighed heavily on his young heart, leaving him with a sense of abandonment and uncertainty. Little did he know, his life was about to take another dramatic turn.

*****

Jimmy walked into the office, a cash bag clutched in his hand. "The money's real, sir."

Hart's expression was grim. "I know. She's Tom's daughter."

Jimmy's eyes widened in understanding. "Oh, now I see. I can't wait for all this to be over."

Hart's voice was laced with a mix of frustration and concern. "Neither can I."

Jimmy's gaze turned serious. "Lest I forget, I found Shawn with $LÅZENGER."

Hart's eyes snapped towards Jimmy, his expression alarmingly intense. "What! How did he get it?"

Jimmy shook his head. "I don't know. I tried asking him about it, but he didn't say a word all through the ride."

Hart's face contorted in worry as he rubbed his bald head nervously. He quickly made a call, his voice low and urgent. "How's Shawn?"

The voice on the other end replied, "He's okay, sir. Right now, he's having class."

Hart's sigh was audible. "(Sighs) Keep an eye on his every move and make sure he's safe."

The voice assured him, "Yes, sir."

Hart hung up the call, his expression still etched with concern. He turned to Jimmy, his voice firm. "Pick Shawn up from school on time. I want him safe."

Jimmy nodded, his expression serious. "Will do, sir."