The Billionaire's Maid Bride novel Chapter 658

The landlord finally spoke up, "I can't say I know all the details, but my property was listed online and got snatched up by a renter. They signed a lease for six months, with first and last month's rent plus a security deposit up front. After they took the place, they mentioned it was actually for a friend of theirs. That must be the Robbie guy you're talking about, and his girlfriend. The place wasn't even ready yet, but they were desperate to move in, said they had nowhere else to go."

"So I let them in. A few days later, I was coming back from the grocery store around noon when I noticed the front door ajar. Fearing a burglary, I went to check it out. Just as I stepped closer, I heard a terrible scream. Scared me half to death! Peeking through the crack in the door, I saw several men in black surrounding Robbie and beating him. I was about to call the cops when one of the men stepped out and threatened me, said they'd kill me if I did. So I... I hid in my own apartment until the commotion died down, and by the time it was quiet, it was already night."

"When I finally checked the place, it was a mess – signs of a struggle everywhere, broken cups and a shattered coffee table, glass and blood all over the floor. Robbie and his girlfriend had vanished."

"Did you get a good look at them? Could you identify any of them?"

"No, there were so many, all dressed in black..."

"Do you still have the information of the person who originally rented your property?"

"Yes... Last name Sun, first name Steven."

"I've got it. Thanks for your time. Here, keep this for your troubles," Bryan said as he handed her some cash and left with Hughes.

Stepping out of Skyline Apartments, they got into the car. Hughes broke the silence, "Steven, never heard of him. Axton, do a deep dive on him. My gut tells me Robbie's disappearance is connected to Penelope, and that video is the key."

Bryan mused, "They took Robbie, but Abbey is unscathed. Either she's clueless about the video, or she wasn't home when Robbie was taken."

"Axton, can you reach Abbey now?"

"Her number's disconnected."

Hughes pondered for a moment, "If Abbey isn't involved, why disappear? What is she afraid of?"

"Do you think... Abbey knew about Robbie's disappearance?" Bryan asked, puzzled. "Abbey and Robbie have been friends for ages; she wouldn't hurt him."

"People do strange things when money's involved," Hughes replied, weary from a long day's work. Though he had been discharged from the hospital, his wound hadn't fully healed. Pressing his abdomen, he winced slightly and closed his eyes, his lips pale, "As long as Abbey is still in Northfield and not under someone's thumb, finding her won't be tough for us. Once we find her and Steven, we'll get to Robbie."

"Do you think... Robbie's been silenced by now?" Bryan inquired, a hint of worry in his voice.

Hughes's expression turned cold, "Hard to say."

-

On the set of "Fragments of Truth," the filming was in full swing, and Allison was completely absorbed in her character. Wade's control over the pacing of the film was impeccable, and Victoria's script was nothing short of perfection. Allison's portrayal of Irene was so intense that, at times, she found herself unable to shake the role even after the cameras had stopped rolling. Lying in bed at night, she closed her eyes, and the entire investigation unfolded in her mind, scene by scene.