However, Melissa's actions had resurrected the past in vivid detail.

Marcus lowered his gaze and whispered, “Are you punishing me? Are you making me pay for not being able to forget you throughout my life?"

Between him and Melissa, it was impossible to determine who owed whom.

Yet, Marcus couldn't help but worry about her and wanted to know how she was faring. He stared at the box for a long moment before finally picking up his phone and dialing a number...

Marcus had a hushed conversation over the phone with someone from a well-known detective agency.

His voice, low and raspy, carried a sense of urgency as he whispered, "I need your help finding someone, and money is no object.”

On the other end of the line, the detective replied with just a few words. "Consider it done."

After ending the call, Marcus immediately forwarded all the information he had on Melissa to the detective agency. As he sent her photo, his fingertips couldn't resist lightly caressing her face captured in the image.

In that photograph, Melissa's smile emanated an innocence that tugged at Marcus' heartstrings, a poignant reminder of the happier times they had shared.

Marcus couldn't fully fathom the depth of other people's love, but he knew that the memories he held of him and Melissa were slowly slipping away, like grains of sand through his fingers.

Subconsciously, he yearned to preserve those fading recollections.

His initial plan was to spend only five days in Duefron, but in his relentless pursuit to find Melissa, he had extended his stay by a few more days.

Yet, despite his unwavering determination, there was still no news of her.

The detective conveyed to Marcus that Melissa hadn't resided in Duefron for an extended period. The letter may have been sent by someone else, possibly to conceal her precise location from Marcus.

After ending the call, Marcus sat in his office for an extended period, his thoughts consumed by the enigmatic disappearance of Melissa.

A soft knock at the door signaled Sylvia's entrance. She carried a stack of documents and offered an apologetic smile as she said, "Mr. Fowler, these are for tomorrow's meeting."

Marcus inclined his head slightly, indicating for her to place them on his desk.

Sylvia noticed Marcus' somber mood and surmised that it was likely related to Melissa.

Half a year had passed, yet there had been no word or trace of Melissa's whereabouts.

Suddenly, Sylvia's brows lifted, and she remarked, "Mr. Fowler, it's snowing outside."