Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 382 "You toldeverything was foolproof, didn't you? Yet here we are, the very first day, and someone's gone missing-vanished from the top floor of what you called a highly secure hospital. And now you're tellingyou have no idea what happened? Are you kidding me?!" In the hospital's top-floor corridor, Miranda glared furiously at Sophie, her voice sharp with accusation.

No one could possibly understand what she felt-she'd barely arrived with Julian at Jade's place, hadn't even closed her eyes for an hour, when she got the call in the dead of night: Mila was missing.

The very first night.

Who could move so fast? And this was supposed to be the most secure floor, the top of a building twenty stories up-a place you'd need to be Spider-Man to reach, for God's sake! What a joke.

Right now, Miranda was even starting to suspect Sophie herself.

"Ms. Wayne, the security system for the entire hospital was sabotaged last night. Whoever did this cprepared," Sophie said, exasperated. "I've already sent people out to search, and I've contacted the Transit Authority to pull traffic footage around the area, see if anyone suspicious was lurking nearby." "There's something else I don't get." Miranda frowned, her tone tight.

"I assumed the real target was Chairman Sutherland—that maybe sold enemy was out for revenge. We watched the room all night, nothing happened, and yet it's Ms. Sutherland who's disappeared. Whoever did this knew exactly who they wanted. But the truth is, only a handful of Splendid's top people even know about Ms. Sutherland's connection to the Chairman. If this is a kidnapping threat..." Miranda understood.

What Sophie was implying was clear: she'd been convinced the target was Jade —and so all the precautions last night had been focused on the patient's room.

And now, Mila was gone.

Yet Sophie still seemed to think this was about threatening Splendid through Mila. Miranda was ready to explode. She ran a hand through her hair in pure frustration, pacing back and forth.

Trying to keep her temper, she said, "We made this clear yesterday. This isn't about Chairman Sutherland. It's Mila. She's the target!" "You mean Giselle?" Sophie's brow knitted. "But I can tell you for sure, neither she nor the Harvey family has the resources or reach to pull off something like this- not here." "What if the Harveys aren't working alone?" Miranda took a steadying breath. "Didn't we talk about this exact possibility yesterday? That maybe they're working with one of Mila's other enemies?" "That's what I thought yesterday." Sophie pinched the bridge of her nose, her voice patient but weary. "But think about it: whoever did this took out the hospital's entire surveillance system. They could have gone after Chairman Sutherland, yet they didn't. They chose Ms. Sutherland, and left no trace anywhere else. The only enemies of the Chairman who could pull off something like this aren't even based in England-certainly not in Eldermere." "So aren't you contradicting yourself?" Miranda shot back, trying to keep her voice down. "First you say they're after Chairman Sutherland and Splendid. Now you're tellingher enemies can't operate here. Which is it, Sophie? What are you actually trying to say?" Sophie's frown deepened.

"Ms. Wayne, please try to stay calm. I'm just thinking through all the possibilities, trying to narrow down who we're dealing with. I'm not certain yet, but..." "But what?" Miranda snapped.

Sophie looked her straight in the eye. "Ms. Wayne, do you know of anyone who might hold a grudge against Ms. Sutherland here? Anyone at all?" "An enemy?" Miranda shook her head immediately. "Impossible. This is her first tabroad. She's never even left the country before-how could she have made any enemies here?"

"That's what's so strange," Sophie replied. "I've gone over every scenario. The culprits had a clear Chairman shot at Chairman Sutherland But ignored her, and took Ms. Sutherland instead. If it was a kidnapping meant to threaten us, shouldn't we have heard something by now? The fact that we haven't suggests Mila herself was the only target all along." "We've already said that!" Miranda's voice was rising again. "How many times do I have to repeat it-this is about Mila!" "... But Ms. Wayne, you're certain Ms. Sutherland made no enemies abroad? And you're sure Giselle couldn't possibly be behind this?" Sophie pressed.

"I'm positive!" Miranda insisted, though she was starting to feel drained. All this arguing was pointless-they still had to wait for news from the people out searching. Her patience was wearing thin.

Done with the back-and-forth, Miranda turned to leave-only for Sophie to speak up behind her, "What about the Montgomery family?" Miranda froze.

Slowly, she turned back to face Sophie. "What did you say?" "I said the Montgomery family." Sophie's expression grew thoughtful. "If Ms. Sutherland has no enemies here, and the culprits weren't after Chairman Sutherland, then the only other connection she has is the Montgomery family."

"She is, after all, Mrs. Montgomery.

I'm wondering if this could be about O them." "Most of the Montgomerys' overseas business-dil, mining, even sdefense contracts-puts them in competition with sserious players. They have plenty of rivals. Maybe someone figured out Mila's connection to the family and went after her because of that?" "If we're talking about the Montgomerys' enemies, I know for a fact there are a few with the resources to pull something like this off here in England." Miranda was stunned.

She'd never even considered that possibility. In her mind, Mila was already separated fromLysander practically divorced, living apart for months. As far as Miranda was concerned, Mila had nothing to do with the Montgomerys anymore.