<h4>Chapter 360: A Discussion</h4>


    "I’m telling you, just let Adam know," Mnie pleaded in a low voice "His people have also been looking out for Melody, haven’t they? Wouldn’t that be easier?"


    "Precisely because his people have been on the lookout for Melody," Dr. Jung interrupted, "that Cadence has been keeping a close eye on every one of them. Anything they do-any movement, any call, any contact- it’ll all be under scrutiny. If we involve Adam now, Cadence will be alerted. And if he catches even a whiff of this attack, he will insist onunching his own investigation and bringing you back to his side. So, there is no way we can use Adam or his people."


    He exhaled sharply and looked at her. "We can’t let that happen. We have to get you into the Thomas household before Cadence discovers what really happened. If he starts asking questions, things could spiral out of control very quickly."


    Just then, the guard returned to the room and Dr. Jung immediately turned to face him.


    "Did you find out if someone from the Thomas family came to the airport to pick Miss Melody up?" he asked without wasting a moment.


    The guard shook his head. "No, sir. No one from the Thomas family was seen at the airport at the expected time. And while Miss Marianne did try to contact youter, it was long after everything had already happened. Hourster."


    Dr. Jung’s jaw tightened as he processed the information as he waved for the guard to go out, "So... Marianne did indeed inform Melody about your return," he said slowly, turning his gaze back to her. "And despite knowing you were arriving, no one was sent to receive you. That can only mean one of two things."


    He began pacing slightly, thinking aloud. "Either Marianne handed over the ’responsibility’ of bringing you back to Melody, who then went ahead and orchestrated everything... or Marianne Thomas herself is directly involved in the attack that happened today."


    "So, the next best option is to take you to Richard Thomas."


    "How are we going to do that?" Mnie asked with a frown to which Dr Jung simply smiled," I have a way."


    Dr. Jung reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his phone. Without saying another word to Mnie, he dialed a number and waited.


    "Find out where Richard Thomas is right now. I want real-time confirmation-location, schedule, everything. No dys."And one more thing," he added, his voice dropping an octave so that Mnie nearly had to strain her ears to find out what he was saying, "It’s time to stir the pot. Have the reporters leak a story. Tell them that Richard Thomas’s daughter has gone missing. Make it sound urgent, chaotic. Maybe kidnapped by a business rival or whatever. Add as much of drama and spection as you can. Let the media eat it up."


    He disconnected and looked up at Mnie, who had been silently watching him with wary eyes. "We need a distraction," he said simply, slipping the phone back into his coat. "Something that pulls Richard into the open... and gives us an entry point.


    ***


    Camera shes popped like firecrackers as the media swarmed outside the Thomas office gates. Microphones shoved forward, questions were shouted over one another in a rising chorus of chaos. "Mr. Thomas, is it true your daughter has been missing for nearly a month now?"


    "Have you filed a policeint?"


    "Is this Melody Thomas we’re talking about?"


    "Are you working withw enforcement? Have you received any ransom calls?"


    Richard Thomas frowned as he looed around at the media surrounding him. But said nothing. How did the news get spread out. THey had been so careful about this. No. He needed to curb the news story and deny everything. If the news reports end up putting Melody in danger then things could go bad quickly.


    With that thought in mind, he stepped forward slowly, ready with a denial. But before he could do that, his secretary came running towards him and showed the reels about how the news had gone viral. In that moment he made a spolit second decision. If he could not curb the news because it was already this big, then it was better to use it to gather information.


    So, he looked foWe are currently looking for our daughter, yes," he said, his voice low but clear. "She was taken from us after an ident. And we will do whatever it takes to bring her home. The police have been involved and so have other relevant government agencies. We are trying our best to look after her.


    More questions erupted, so finally Richard held up a hand and continued talking slowly," If anyone out there has seen her, or knows anything, anything at all, that could help us find her, pleasee forward. I’m willing to offer a generous reward for verified information leading to her safe return."


    With that, he bowed low and turned back, proceedng to return to the office building without waiting for follow up question as the guards came forward to block the press’ path.


    ***


    The news footage was still ying on the muted television screen in the corner of the dimly lit room. The image froze for a second as Dr Jung paused it in the middle of eating his sandwich.


    "Well," he said finally, turning to her with a slight smile. "Now that the world knows you’re missing... it’s time for you to go shopping."


    Mnie blinked. "Shopping? What are you saying?"


    Dr. Jung’s smile widened just a touch. "Well, why do you think I created the entire media circus? We need to strike when the iron is hot. Now, all the media channels are ying your pictures on a loop and Richard Thomas has even announced a generous reward. So, you have to go out. That is the only way I can guarantee that you will enter the Thomas household without fuss."


    "So,e on. Go wear something loud and gaudy that would attract attention and then lets go buy some popcorn."