Chapter 265: Missing Girl
Get a glimpse of "Mated To The Crippled Alpha" Chapter 265: "Missing?" My voice came out thinner than I meant it to. "Lewis, can you send... Continue the adventure now!
"Missing?" My voice came out thinner than I meant it to. "Lewis, can you send me her details?""Of course."
A second later, the file came through.
Because Alice had been gone for so long, there wasnât much inside. Just a few cold lines and an old first-grade ID photo. The picture was blurry, the kind that only shows the shape of a childâs face and the shadow of her eyes.
Still... something about it tightened my chest.
Her record was bare. No achievements. No proud family posts. No big search effort. She fit the pattern people liked to pretend didnât exist an illegitimate child. A side story.
I stared at the family section and slowed when I saw the names Tyler and James White.
My fingers went cold.
Tylerâs face especially the eyes looked too familiar. The same sharp outline. The same stare.
It hit me like a slap.
Vicky.
It wasnât just resemblance. It was like looking at the same bloodline, the same bone structure, the same kind of gaze that never warmed.
The surname was the same as Vickyâs maiden name too.
But as I scrolled faster, there was no mention of Vicky anywhere. No "Vicky White." No branch of the family that led to her.
It didnât make sense.
If Vicky truly came from a strong line like the Whites, the Hales wouldnât have treated her like trash. A powerful family name changes how people act. It buys respect before a person even opens their mouth.
So why was her name missing?
It felt like I was standing at the edge of the truth... then Whitney appeared in my mind like a stone tossed into still water.
Everything rippled.
The calm surface broke.
And whatever was hiding underneath started moving.
I was so deep in it that I didnât notice someone come up behind me.
"Riley," Yaelâs voice cut in, gentle. "Whatâs got you so captivated?"
My screen had already gone dark from being idle. Thank God.
I slid my phone into my pocket like it was nothing. "Oh. Nothing. Just... a lot has been going on at home. Sometimes I get stuck in my head."
He leaned a little closer, concern softening his face. "Whatâs been going on?"
I let out a slow breath and chose my words carefully.
"A friend of mine," I said, "Vicky... she passed away not long ago. It was sudden. The whole thing was ugly, and it still shakes me when I think about it."
Yaelâs eyes softened. "I understand. The dead canât return. Try not to torture yourself thinking about it."
He sounded sincere. So sincere it made me unsure whether he truly knew nothing... or whether he was simply better at wearing warmth than Vito was.
I hesitated on purpose, just a little.
Yael took it as a sign to step closer emotionally. "Riley, I might not know whatâs happening in your home, but as your classmate... Iâm here if you need support."
I gave him a light smile. "Thanks. Iâll be counting on you at school. Iâm still new here, and Iâm clueless about a lot."
His face brightened. "Youâre really talented on the violin."
"Appreciate it," I said.
He glanced at the time. "Itâs getting late. You havenât been to the cafeteria yet, right? Iâll show you."
I didnât avoid him. I did the opposite.
I stayed close enough to observe him. I asked small, harmless questions about campus life, classes, instructors normal student talk. Yael answered easily, never pushing into anything too personal, never stepping on a line.
He was warm. Smooth. Easy to be around.
Too easy.
We walked side by side through the corridor, and I caught him watching me again.
"Riley," he asked with a curious smile, "why are you staring at me like that?"
I kept my tone casual. "Iâve met your brother a few times. You two are... very different."
Yael chuckled softly. "Vito is older. And we didnât grow up together. Itâs normal we turned out different."
I let my steps slow, then decided to drop a truth just not the whole truth.
"Yael," I said, "thereâs something I wasnât completely honest about."
He stopped walking. "What is it?"
"On your birthday night," I admitted, "I went up to the fourth floor to check on Whitney."
His eyes widened. "You met Ms. White?"
"I saw her once outside the funeral home," I said carefully. "She looked distressed. Like she wanted to run. And when you and your brother showed up... I couldnât shake the feeling she might be getting mistreated. Sheâs young. She looked trapped. So I... checked."
I didnât say everything.
I didnât say wardrobe.
I didnât say fear in her voice.
I didnât say what Vito did.
I mixed truth with just enough softness to make it hard to read me like hiding scent under perfume.
Yaelâs face eased. "Riley, you donât need to worry. My brother genuinely cares for Ms. White. He buys her gifts, takes care of her, watches her health closely. Sheâs fragile. Every time she tries to go out alone, her heart condition flares up. If Vito hadnât acted fast more than once... she might not even be alive."
He said it like it was romantic.
Like "keeping her inside" was love.
My stomach turned, but I kept my expression calm.
"Iâm glad sheâs alive," I said slowly. "I just... want her to have someone to talk to. Sheâs alone up there."
Yael nodded quickly, almost relieved. "Of course. Vito worries sheâll get stressed, but if youâre okay with it... you can come to my place and keep her company. Weâd both be happy to have you."
His eyes lit up after he said it, like the offer wasnât just kindness.
Like it was something heâd wanted.
"Iâd love for you to visit," he added quickly. "How about today?"
I didnât expect that. Not that fast.
But now that the door was open, it would look strange to slam it shut.
So I smiled. "Alright. But do you know what Whitney likes to eat? Our last meeting was awkward. Iâd like to visit properly this time."
Yaelâs expression turned apologetic. "Iâm sorry. Vito handles everything for Ms. White. I donât really know her preferences."
Of course he didnât.
That told me something too.
After school, the Hale car pulled up like clockwork. Lewis and I had already agreed on extra protection, but I still blinked when I saw who was driving.
Theo.
He stepped out, opened the door for me, and greeted me calmly. "Mrs. Riley."
As soon as I got in, he handed me a small device.
"Keep this on you," he said. "If anything feels wrong, press it. Weâll reach you immediately."
I curled my fingers around it. It was small, but it felt heavy.
"Got it," I said. "And while youâre at it... take a look around their villa. Last time it was too dark. I want details."
"Understood."
Theo had also prepared gifts simple, appropriate things to carry so I wouldnât look suspicious. I took them and stepped out.
When we reached the Blackwell Residence, I slowed.
In daylight, the gate looked different.
Tall iron. Detailed carving.
And right in the center was a relief I hadnât noticed before a figure with horns and a grin too wide, like it was mocking anyone who entered.
Last time, the darkness hid it.
Now, in the fading light, it looked... hungry.
The air tasted wrong too. Clean, but sharp. Like the space had rules.
Like I was stepping onto someone elseâs territory, and they knew it.
The gate creaked as it opened, slow and loud, like it wanted me to hear every second of my choice.
My instincts rose, pressing against my skin.
This wasnât fear.
It was warning.
And then I saw him.
Vito stood on the other side, already waiting.
Suit. Straight posture. Pale face that didnât match the warmth of the evening. His smile sat on his mouth like a blade pretending to be pretty.
His eyes landed on me, and my body went still.
Not because I wanted to.
Because something in me recognized dominance the way a throat recognizes teeth.
"Ms. Ashbourne," he said smoothly, like we were old friends. "Iâve been waiting for you."