Dexter stood at the far end of the hall, eyes drifting from Heidi approaching in her wedding dress to the screen of his phone.
He didn’t know if he was just overthinking, but Blythe had been acting too strangely lately.”
She should’ve landed by now. The flight wasn’t delayed, yet she hadn’t sent a single message to let him know she’d arrived safely.”
He thought she’d text him after settling in, but instead, she’d vanished without a word.”
Blythe, who once clung to him like a delicate figurine, needed to be around him twenty–four hours a day.”
When had it started to shift?
She no longer asked about his plans. She didn’t even send the most basic messages.}}
Dexter recalled the time he secretly went to take wedding photos with Heidi. He thought it’d only take a day, but things dragged out for three.”
Back then, the old Blythe would’ve filled his phone with messages, one after another, without pause.}
Those three long days had passed, and not once had she asked about him.
A sudden, unfamiliar wave of panic crashed over Dexter.
He didn’t even hear the emcee’s voice nor notice Blake handing Heidi’s hand to him.”
All he did was pull out his phone and type to Blythe.
[Baby, have you landed? Did the studio help you settle in? Don’t hold back. Buy whatever you want. Your husband’s got money. I’ll come as soon as I finish here.]
Then, a glaring red exclamation mark appeared.M
He’d been blocked.”
Dexter stared in disbelief.
“Brother Dexter,” Heidi’s voice whispered as her hand froze midair, reminding him the ceremony was underway.
But Dexter ignored her, stepping aside and dialing a number.”
“The company’s just too busy,” Blake stammered, trying to cover for him awkwardly.”
Frustrated, Dexter paced the stage, the busy tone ringing over and over.
Suddenly, his phone rang like a lifeline.”
He snatched it up without hesitation. “Blythe.”
The voice on the other end hesitated before replying quickly.
“This is Sable Studio’s design department. Mr. Laurence, our staff never picked up Miss Griggs at the airport. We confirmed with the airline, she never boarded the flight. Regarding the follow–up on the wedding dress design…”
“What?!” Dexter’s panic surged.”
He stormed off the stage, ignoring Heidi, waiting silently for the ceremony to continue.
He grabbed his secretary urgently.”
“Blythe is missing! Find her right now! She didn’t board the flight. How is that possible? I saw her pass security myself! Where could she have gone? Give me the car keys, I’m going home!“}
Beside him, Jordan snorted with disdain. He hadn’t wanted to come to the wedding, but the Bailey, Laurence, and Ambrose families were long–time acquaintances, and his family elder had forced him.
Seeing Dexter’s desperation, Jordan couldn’t help but smirk. He thought Dexter didn’t deserve Blythe.
“Your wedding invitations with Heidi were plastered all over town. You think Blythe was blind? Of course, she saw them. Good on her for leaving! Scumbag!”
“Where did Blythe go? You know, don’t you? What’s your connection with her?“W
Dexter stood dazed, his hands instinctively grabbing Jordan’s arm. Only then did he realize the Ambrose family had already broadcasted the wedding news far and wide.}
Jordan shoved him off roughly. “Are you out of your mind? Blythe and I are clean. We only crossed paths a few times at your gatherings, exchanged a few words. You really think everyone’s as shady as you and Heidi?“M
“Brother Dexter! Sister Blythe must have misunderstood. She’s hiding on purpose, so you won’t find her. Panicking won’t help. Let the staff start searching. Can we please just finish the ceremony first…”
Even Heidi, dressed in her wedding gown, had to rush off the stage to plead with him.”
“Brother Dexter, please. If we don’t finish the ceremony, my dad will send me back and force me to face those old perverts. I’m scared…”
Her tears dripped softly onto Dexter’s arm.#
Dexter looked up to see the business associates whispering quietly among themselves. He had no choice but to bark orders to his secretary.
Use every resource. Find her! Track down where Blythe went! If you fail, you’re all fired!”
2/2 40.0%
Dexter looked up to see the business associates whispering quietly among themselves. He had no choice but to bark orders to his secretary.”
“Use every resource. Find her! Track down where Blythe went! If you fail, you’re all fired!“}
The thought of Blythe slipping away unsettled Dexter deeply.
He stumbled through the rest of the ceremony with a hollow heart and downed the wine Heidi handed him in one swift gulp. He didn’t notice that when she’d turned her back earlier, Heidi had quietly slipped powder into the wine.”
22
