Chapter 102 - Back to Square one (2)

2 days prior.

Ever since April was confirmed kidnapped, Alex had dispatched all his people to find her. Since his father technically owns the Hawthorne Company, he was informed of the situation.

It was a sleepless night. Everyone knew that the first 24 hours would be the most critical. With Phoebe's insistence, she was able to convince her husband and son to inform April's parent's as well. In the meantime, they went to get Sky and bring him into their mansion for his safety.

While Phoebe watches her grandson, Theo and Alex went to collaborate with their men to find possible clues that could lead them to April's location.

Due to their argument, she forgot to bring her purse when she ran out. Even then, the kidnappers might've left it too on the street where they took her. So using a GPS to locate her was out of the question. The only way they could do it was to collaborate with the local police. The Police had spread the news to its staff about the fake plates and the vans. Any sightings should be reported immediately.

When the Lewis heard of the news, Annie fainted while Ted cursed Alex over the phone. Alex was the one to bring the news to them, he felt guilty for not able to protect her. After hanging up, Ted called his secretary to buy the fastest ticket to England and to postpone all his meetings for a month. Everyone on the mansion about April's situation from back then. The Lewis treated their servants like family. Without even the orders of their Master, they went to look around for clues around the house. Some of the servants from before are still currently serving the Lewis, hence they knew what to do.

Mr. and Mrs. Sanford are a married couple who had served the Lewis for 20 years. Mr. Sanford is the Driver for Ted Lewis while Mrs. Sanford is the Main Cook in the Kitchen. When April was kidnapped before, they were ordered to search around the house to find any sort of clues. This is the reason why when April is kidnapped again, they had told the other servants to search the house.

Within 2 hours, one of the newly hired maid came back to Mrs. Sanford with a tape recorder.

"Where did you find it?" Mrs. Sanford looked at it and opened the recorder. There was a tape inside.

"It was under Miss April's Bed. I figured that since she came here, it would be the best place to find something." The maid explained her findings.

"Good, good. I'll bring it to the Master. If this is a clue, I'll make sure you're rewarded. In the meantime, look for more clues."

"Yes, Mrs. Sanford" the maid then left to find more unusual stuff in April's room.

Mrs. Sanford sighed, she had watched April grew since their Madam had given birth to her. She felt that April didn't deserve any of these to happen to her. She sighed again and went towards the Study. Madam was resting in their room while their Master was inside the study. It had been 3 hours since the Masters have gotten the call. 

In UK time, April was kidnapped around noon. In USA Eastern Time, that would be around 7 am. Alex had called the Lewis after 5 hours of her disappearance. Added another 3 hours, April was missing for 8 hours now. It was now 3 pm USA Eastern time and 8 pm in UK Time.

*Knock knock*

"Enter" Ted's voice was hoarse from yelling. He had just gotten off the phone with his secretary. Apparently, the latest plane to England would not be till 9 pm tonight. Everything was fully booked. He wasn't like the Smiths or the Hawthorne's that owned their aircraft.

Mrs. Sanford entered hesitantly, seeing that the Master wasn't in a good mood. "Uhm. Sir, One of the maid had found this in Miss April's room." She walked in and placed the recorder on the table, in front of Ted.

Ted's brows furrowed. "Have you checked?"

"No sir, I wasn't sure if I am allowed to hear it. It was under Miss April's bed. It was likely that she hid it there." Mrs. Sanford gulped.

Ted picked up the Recorder and opened it. There was indeed a tape inside. He had never heard of April owning a tape recorder. "You may leave."

Mrs. Sanford bowed and left. She knew how hard it was for their Master to locate April before, having the situation repeated must've really taken a toll of his body. Right now, they could only support the Mansion while the Masters are busy. They could only pray and hope that nothing happens to April, as well as the health of their Masters.

Ted closed the recorder and pressed play. Unfortunately, it made a click sound. Letting Ted know that it was the end of the tape. So he re-winded the tape and waited till it finished.

Somehow, he was nervous. His hands were sweating. He hated the fact that his daughter was kidnapped again. How sad and scared must've been. This, he can't fathom. Once he heard another click, that the recorder had finished rewinding. He took a deep breath and pressed play.

As soon as he heard the voice inside the recorder, Ted's brows furrowed. It got deeper and deeper as the tape played on its own. When Alex and Francesca's conversation ended, he thought that the recorder was done so he threw it on the floor out of anger.

"Damn that Alex!!!"

He could feel that Alex did care for his daughter yet that doesn't justify his words just now. Ted's veins popped out on his fist, neck, and forehead. He was furious and hearing this now doesn't help at all. Just then, he hears another voice. The voice sounded familiar but he can't place where he heard it. He then walked towards the recorder and picked it up on the floor.

"Little girl. Miss this daddy?

Don't worry, I'm almost done here with my sentence.

Sooner or later, daddy will get you.

You and Daddy will have lots of fun again.

Hahahaha."

It was on repeat for a couple of times. Ted's mind went black and went to the past. He then placed the puzzled together. He gritted his teeth, his eyes turned red and tears fell on his face.

The voice was the same man that he tried ao hard to put in jail. Who would've known that he was now back? Ted fell on his knees and asked God for questions. Why do these things keep happening to his only child? What cursed things did they done for her to deserve this? He asked himself over and over until he hated himself for not killing that man!

He didn't get up till an hour later when someone pushed the Study Room open. Malcolm Smith saw his best friend devasted on the floor. He had gotten the news late since he was at a meeting. His fist clenched and helped his best friend up. Ted was dazed and was not speaking, it was like he didn't even saw Malcolm inside the room.