It was an ordinary evening.
Dylan returned from work and Kaiden from kindergarten to have dinner with old Sterling together.
Old Sterling looked at his son and grandson, who were eating absent-mindedly on the table, and sighed.
He heard that Dylan had sent a group of guards to protect Savannah 24 hours a day. Obviously, he cared about her and didn't want to part from her.
Why not admit it?
"Dylan, I called Savannah this morning. She said she had finished her final exams, and she could get the diploma after the thesis defense. But there are a few graduation parties after that, and she may stay in Italy a little longer... Shall we ask her to give up-graduation parties and come back earlier?" Old Sterling thought for a while before he asked.
"No," said Dylan, flatly.
"Are you sure?" Old Sterling frowned. His son was still affected to be indifferent.
"She won't be willing to miss graduation parties. Let her come back when she's had enough fun. I don't want to be a possessive tyrant taking away her freedom," Dylan said dryly.
"Tyrant? You had been more than bossy and possessive before," old Sterling sneered, "You would even be annoyed when she said a few more words to other men. You almost killed the young master from the Murray family when he s.e.x.u.a.lly assaulted her! Why now you talk about freedom?"
Dylan had a little awkward laugh but didn't look up from his plate.
Old Sterling also understood that it was not easier for a man to admit that he cared about a woman, and even harder for his proud and overbearing son.
What's more, he lost his memory of Savannah. It was more difficult to let him admit his concern about a strange woman.
Unable to bear the deadly silence, old Sterling asked a servant to turn on the television in order to make the house more lively.
The servant turned on the TV, and the international news was on the broadcast.
"Several explosions took place in Milan, Italy, at around 12:10 am local time today. According to the police, it was caused by conflicts between the local Mafia and other parties. The number of people hurt has risen to about fifty, with their injuries ranging from minor to serious…"
Dylan banged his fork on the table and stared at the TV.
"Turn it up," he snapped.
The servant scrambled to turn up the TV.
Old Sterling was surprised and listened to the TV with a frown.
One of the explosions occurred near Savannah's school, a street away at most.
"In addition to local residents, there are some overseas students. We are still checking whether there are any American citizens..."
Dylan's face turned even darker at this.
Kaiden noticed that his grandfather and father were looking rather pale. He dropped his spoon with concern.
"Will mommy be all right?" He heard the keywords: Milan, Italy.
Old Sterling calmed down and reassured his grandson, "your mother just called me this morning. She should be fine."
Dylan looked even colder. That was this morning. The explosion happened after they spoke on the phone.
Who could say for sure she was still fine?
Dylan took out his cell phone and called Savannah.
The transoceanic call got through, but no one answered.
Old Sterling and Kaiden knew that he was calling Savannah. The silence kept them in suspense.
Nobody answered. Dylan hung up and called the head of the bodyguards who he assigned to protect her.
Unexpectedly, he couldn't get through.
Dylan held the phone, his face darkening, and then he called Joanne.
Joanne would be sure to contact Savannah as soon as she saw the news.
This time the call came through soon.
"Is that, Dylan?" Joanne's voice said, mixed with anxiety.
Dylan immediately knew that Joanne had heard of the explosions in Italy.
"It's me. Have you got in touch with Savannah?"
"No... I just heard about the accident in Milan and called Savannah, but no one answered. I can't get through her friend or classmate, and I just called Savannah's teacher, but the teacher said that she didn't seem to see Savannah today. She let me wait... I can't wait! I'm so worried…" Joanne could speak no more.
Dylan comforted her for a while and hung up.
"Didn't Savannah's mother get in touch with her?" Old Sterling queried anxiously.
Dylan's dark face said it all. He thought for a moment and called Garwood.
"Get the private plane ready, now."
***
In the early morning sunlight, a private plane landed on a parking apron in Milan, Italy.
The noble purple fuselage showed an air of unspeakable mystery.
A man in a sharp dark suit and tie walked off the plane, followed by his subordinates.
A stretched Lincoln was parked not far away. An average-looking man with a suitable manner had been waiting for some time. He was a senior manager from the Italian industry of the Sterling group.
He hurried up to Dylan and said respectfully, "Welcome to Milan, Mr. Sterling. You must have a hard trip! The hotel is ready, and I'll take you to breakfast, or you want to have a good rest first..."
"I didn't come here to eat or rest," Dylan snapped.
"Have you found the whereabouts of Miss Schultz?" Garwood asked the man before Dylan could do it.
The senior manager paused and immediately replied, "I called the bodyguard again, but he didn't answer. But don't worry…"
His voice trailed off under Dylan's fierce gaze.
There was a riot, and more than fifty people were injured, and now they couldn't get in touch with the little woman. How could he not be worried?
Dylan said nothing more. He strode to the car and decided to go straight to the local police station. Anxiety filled his heart while the car sped away.
There were some Sterling-owned enterprises in Milan, which had contributed a lot to local economic development. What's more, the Sterling family had maintained a close relationship with the local government, and they would, of course, lend a helping hand if Dylan asked.