His anxiety mounting, he attempted to call her, only to hear the phone ringing without an answer.

After several unsuccessful attempts, Holden rose from the couch and started pacing restlessly in front of the window.

He then dialed Devin's number, and Devin promptly answered. "I've been trying to get ahold of Ariana, but she didn't answer her phone. Where are you?"

Devin was alarmed as he replied, "We encountered a problem with a shipment at one of our branches today. It was flagged for inspection, and there were allegations of illegal arms smuggling. I had to rush to the office to handle it, which was why I couldn't accompany Miss Edwards to the banquet. I arranged for our driver to take her instead."

Holden replied and ended the call, attempting to ease his worry by considering the possibility that Ariana was so engrossed in conversation with Mitchel and the others that she didn't use her phone.

However, after an agonizing half hour passed with no communication from Ariana, Holden couldn't just wait any longer. He tried calling the driver but received no answer.

Sensing that something might have gone wrong, Holden instructed Shawn to arrange a private jet for an immediate return to Eleymond.

Holden desperately hoped to find Ariana at home upon his arrival.

But when he got home, the house was eerily quiet and enveloped in darkness.

"Ariana?" Holden called out while searching the house, yet there was no trace of Ariana or the children.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

Mitchel's voice sounded anxious as he said, “Holden, Ariana got into a car accident on the mountain road on her way back, and now she's missing. I'm sending you the location of the car accident now; you need to come here right away."

A chill ran down Holden's spine, almost causing his legs to give way.

Shawn immediately supported Holden to steady him.

Following the call's conclusion, Holden's ears buzzed so loudly that he could barely hear anything else.

“We need to go to the farm now," Holden said, maintaining as steady a voice as possible.

Shawn quickly drove Holden there.

At the scene, police cars blocked off the area, casting a bright light on the disorderly scene. The car Ariana had been in lay in fragments, scattered from its descent down the hill. Debris from broken trees and remnants of a fire contributed to the wreckage. The vicinity carried the odor of gasoline.

Holden was shocked as he stepped out of his car. Mitchel came over from behind the police barrier, his expression somber. He said, “The driver didn't survive, but the children are mostly unharmed, just minor injuries. Ariana is missing. The police have combed through the area, but there's no sign of her."

Holden was so pale that he looked like a ghost. Tears started to pool in his eyes.