"Where Winona''s being held might have something to do with your mom!" Tarquin announced, his brow furrowed in thought.


    "Huh?" Elliot and Elijah exchanged puzzled nces.


    Tarquin leaned forward, exining further, "Sarah mentioned that when Winona was in trouble, she kept calling out for your mom to save her. Only your mom. That means Winona is familiar with the ce."


    "And she knows calling anyone else wouldn''t help; only your mom might show up there."


    Elliot and Elijah nodded in agreement. It made sense. But what ce could it be?


    The three of them pondered for a bit, unable to figure it out. They decided to consult Elysia.


    If this ce was connected to her, and Winona knew about it, then Elysia would certainly know best.


    When Tarquin shared his theory, Elysia looked puzzled. "ces Winona knows about include the school, the Thorne family, and a few shops where I used to work part-time. But none of those are secretive."


    Elliot''s expression shifted suddenly. "The Thorne family!"


    The others raised their eyebrows, "Hmm?"


    Elliot turned serious. "Remember when Dad and Mom went to the ind for a getaway, and ke Thorne kidnapped Evan?"


    "During the kidnapping, Baby happened to be there and even got her bodyguards


    to give ke a good thrashing," Elijah recalled, nodding.


    "I remember that," he said. "Back then, Evan didn''t even know Baby was our


    sister. That was Baby''s first day in Jindale City!"


    "Exactly! That very day!" Elliot''s excitement was palpable. "After Evan told me about it, I was puzzled. How did ke Thorne get out of jail? Dad had the Thorne family locked up."  s?novel


    "He was charged with extortion, serious stuff. No one in their right mind would help him. It''d be like going against Dad."


    "Unless they had apelling reason to do so!"


    "Now, I suspect the one who got the Thorne family out of jail is Zane!"


    Elysia and Elijah''s eyes widened in shock.


    Elliot added, "Why would Zane have any dealings with the Thorne family? It''s got to be connected to Winona!"


    "And since Mom grew up with the Thorne family, if Winona was taken there, her


    first instinct would be to call for Mom," Elijah reasoned.


    Tarquin''s frown deepened, considering the logic in their


    analysis. Zane was indeed craf


    and had the means to spring the Thorne family from jail.


    Elysia looked astonished, her eyes wide as she asked, "You think Winona is being held by the Thorne family?!"


    "The Thorne family is definitely suspicious! Mom, does the Thorne family have a cer or something?"


    "No," Elysia replied, "but Winona does have a history with the Thorne family. She shed with them because of me, so they must hold a grudge."


    "These grudges aren''tmon knowledge. Even if someone realized Winona was in trouble, they wouldn''t suspect the Thorne family."


    "The Thorne family could be the perfect ce to hide Blossom!" Elysia''s breath quickened. "We need to check it out!"


    She stood


    up ready to rush out, but Tarquin stopped her. "Let''s send a few skilled people to scout first. We need to gather some intel before taking action, to avoid tipping them off and putting Winona in more danger."