When Ian heard the robotic voice informing him that the number couldn’t be reached, the uneasy feeling in his heart intensified. He didn’t even realize that his hand was starting to shake.
Over the next few days, he kept calling the number he could memorize by heart, and each unanswered call made him feel even more defeated. His initial nonchalance soon turned into fear.
Ian lit up a cigarette, but even as the cigarette ash fell onto his pants, he didn’t move.
Annoyed by Ian’s display, Cameron tried to call Belle too, but he ended up with the same outcome.
Expression grim, he growled, “She’s got quite the nerve, alright. Where can she go anyway? I can’t believe she’s resorting to running away from home at her age.”
However, Ian’s eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was shaky as he asked, “Cameron, do you think it’s possible that the game Belle mentioned is real?”
Cameron’s face stiffened briefly before he let out a snort. “She can’t be without us. I bet she only said that in a moment of anger. We can just check in on her at her place.”
As Ian clumsily stood up, he kept murmuring to himself, “Yes, that’s right. I didn’t do anything wrong. I was just looking out for Elaine. She kept bullying Elaine, her subordinate. I was just trying to help her learn her lesson before she turned into the kind of person she hated the most. I’m only showing Elaine kindness to make it up to
Elaine on her behalf.”
His words succeeded in driving away the hollow feeling in his chest. His eyes turned cold as he continued, “If Belle is really just putting on an act to garner our sympathy, I won’t forgive her so easily this time, not unless she apologizes and signs the release of liability agreement.”
Cameron and Ian both headed for Belle’s apartment and parked their respective vehicles outside.
Ian rushed to the door, and by the time he arrived, he had lost control over his feelings. He pounded the door wildly, shouting, “Get out here, Belle! Are you having fun hiding in your house and avoiding us all?”
When no one came to the door, Cameron decided to just kick the door down instead.
