Chapter 517 Tragic Fate
Furrowing his brows, Michael’s expression darkened. “I know. But there’s nothing I can do about that. After all, I can’t really bring myself to reject Alicia’s request after seeing that she’s worried sick of Janette,” I lamented resignedly.
Naturally, I was well aware of how tough it was to track down anyone without any clue. Nonetheless, I had no choice but to keep on trying my best as there was no other way.
“Let’s call it a night. I’ll seek help from the police tomorrow. I bet it’s a piece of cake for them to trace her whereabouts with their advanced tracking system,” he reassured me.
I could only give in to him and nodded. “All right. It looks like that’s the only way.”
Deep down, I knew it was pointless for us to waste time trying to trace Janette’s whereabouts aimlessly that night.
Back at the Shaw residence, I drifted off not long after flinging myself on my bed. What had transpired earlier had worn me down. It was indeed a lot more tiring than a working day.
Preoccupied with Janette’s disappearance, I woke up early the following morning. Feeling uneasy, I could not sleep well the previous night.
Surprisingly, Michael woke up even earlier than I. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he wrapped his arms around me and uttered gently, “It’s still early. You can still sleep for a while more. I’ve called the police station to lodge a report, and they’ve taken prompt action. I believe they’ll be able to find a clue soon.”
The sheer gentleness in his tone was able to put me at ease almost immediately. Initially, I was worried that Janette might be in danger as she was completely unfamiliar with the city.
“I’m thankful that you’re alongside me. Regardless of any hardships that I encounter, you’re always helping me to get the matter resolved,” I mumbled, wrapping my arms around Michael’s waist with my eyes closed in relief. As long as Michael was with me, there was nothing unsolvable. Unequivocally, having him by my side was the most blissful thing in my life.
“Oh? You’ve just realized it now?” Michael teased me. Gazing at me with a glint of affection in his eyes, his lips contorted into a charming smile.
Numb to his narcissism, I chuckled without uttering any words. Snuggling against his chest, I felt like having some sleep again.
After quite a while, Michael’s ringtone suddenly rang out, waking me up in an instant. At the same time, he answered the call.
Within seconds, his face fell. Perplexed, I wondered what the caller had informed him. Nevertheless, he managed to regain his composure seconds later and hung up without uttering any words.
I lifted my head to look intently into his eyes, piping up as anxiousness surged within me, “Who’s that? Is there any news about Janette?”
“Yes. The police officer informed me that they’ve managed to locate her phone, and they’ve sent me the location,” Michael replied placidly. However, I could sense an unmissable change in his countenance instantaneously. My gut instinct told me that there was something awry. Even so, I did not dwell on it. The most important thing right now is to track Janette down as soon as possible.
“Then what’re we waiting for? Come on. Let’s go and look for Janette now! Alicia’s worried stiff about her!” I said, eager to get into action.
Without a second thought, I got down from the bed and dashed out of the room. I was convinced that only by finding Janette would my mother be relieved.
Michael only threw me a glance and trailed behind me silently.
Later, he remained silent while driving. Seated next to him, I was on pins and needles. I kept calling Janette, but it could not get through.
After what seemed like an eternity, he finally broke the silence. “There’s something I need to tell you. Janette might be in a state worse than your expectation.”
“Why do you say so? Did something happen to her?” I asked in bafflement, uneasiness started to well up within me. Why is he telling me this suddenly? Could it be that something really did happen to her? What am I supposed to do if any tragedy has befallen her?
Michael knitted his brows when I got all worked up. He consoled me, “Don’t overthink it. I’m just making a wild guess here.”
“Michael, can you cut to the chase? I’m going to go crazy with anxiety if you keep beating around the bush like this!” I urged him.
I knew he would not say something like this for no reason. Hence, I had a hunch something must have befallen Janette. Subsequently, I could not help being a bundle of nerves. Even though I disliked her, she was still my maternal sister. Thus, I kept my finger crossed that she would be safe and sound.
Flashing me a glance, Michael explained after a pause, “Based on the location sent by the police officer, she’s at a tattered house that will be demolished soon. It’s in a secluded area where others hardly pass by. I have a feeling that she wouldn’t be there by herself.”
Hearing that, my heart skipped a beat, fearing that Janette might be in danger while she was in the dilapidated house the previous night. News of younger ladies disappearing and getting murdered has been in abundance lately. What if…
At that thought, I was overcome by another surge of uneasiness.
Silence ensued as Michael sped all the way to the location. Half an hour later, he stopped in front of a deserted building. When the dilapidated building came into view, we could not help but grimace. Evidently, this building will be demolished soon. Not to mention, hardly anyone passes by this area on usual days. Why was Janette here last night? Could it be something had really happened to her?
Unable to tamp down my simmering apprehension, I quickened my pace to enter it.
About twenty minutes later, I finally found Janette lying unconscious in an old bed in one of the shabby rooms. Her clothes had been ripped apart, exposing her chest, and her skirt was lifted high.
My heart thumped at the sight of her disheveled state. It struck me at once what had occurred.
Seeing this, Michael turned his gaze away hastily. He then took off his jacket and handed it to me.
I took it from him and covered Janette’s body with it. She only regained her consciousness gradually when I touched her arm.
“Ahh! Go away! Don’t touch me!” Janette got all riled up. Looking shell-shocked, she waved both her hands frantically.
“Janette, it’s me! Take a look at me!” I tried to calm her down.
At the moment, my dislike for her was prevailed by sheer sympathy. My heart wrenched at what she must have gone through. Poor girl. She must be feeling traumatized after being sexually assaulted.
Janette lifted her head and cast me a look. I flashed her a faint smile, hoping to appease her fear.
No woman could remain unfazed by such a devastating experience. I had forgotten about my abhorrence toward her in an instant, racking my brain on how I should console her to soothe her pain instead.
