When Elmo mentioned it, he avoided looking directly at her.

Claudia glanced at Elmo and replied, "I didn't see him downstairs."

“Really? He might've gone elsewhere. There are a couple of gardens downstairs."

Considering Jace had been doing well health-wise lately, especially being in the hospital, Claudia wasn't anxious about his safety.

She gave a nod before asking Elmo, "Did my dad get another call from that person?"

"I... I don't know."

From Elmo's reaction, Claudia sensed she wouldn't get more information.

Clearly, Jace must've shared or instructed something with Elmo, making him wary to speak more.

Not wishing to make him uncomfortable, she shifted the topic.

“How long ago did Dad leave?"

"He went downstairs just moments ago."

Actually, he went downstairs with Elmo. However, when Jace received a phone call, he requested Elmo to return upstairs to fetch a glass of water.

"He asked me to get a glass of water."

Elmo had been standing at the door earlier because his aging mind had momentarily blanked on Jace's request.

It was Claudia's question that jogged his memory.

“Relax here. I'll head down and find him."

With those words, Claudia stepped into the ward to grab a thermal mug and proceeded to look for Jace downstairs.

She guessed that Jace had likely used the errand as a ruse to discretely answer a call away from Elmo.

The elevator was typically crowded, so Claudia decided to take the stairs instead.

She scanned the garden downstairs but found no sign of Jace, leading her to the quieter rest area across the way.

The rest area over there was less crowded, and the sun blazed brightly.

Jace stood beneath a tree and was on a call. However, Claudia didn't try to get his attention. She stood about a meter away, trying to eavesdrop on his conversation.

But to her dismay, he ended the call before she could hear anything.

His fatigue was evident. Holding the phone seemed to drain him, as evidenced by the prominent veins on his hand.