?Chapter 1477:


    Maia’s eyes narrowed slightly, her mind shifting into a sharper, more calcting gear. Perhaps she didn’t have to wait for Zoey to unravel everything. She still had resources of her own.


    Since the trail on Mr. M had gone cold, she could approach from another angle — the people closest to him. She would instruct Pris’s top hacker to dig into everything about Granger Sparrow, the oil tycoon linked to Mr. M. If she could reach Granger, she might finally find the path back to Chris.


    Thinking quickly, Maia pulled out her phone and dialed her subordinate.


    The moment the call connected, a nervous voice spilled out. “Boss… please don’t be mad. I still haven’t located Chris. The cars that took him had fake tes and moved with professional precision. I’mbing through surveince footage, but the strange thing is — after they passed an intersection, they simply disappeared. Like they vanished into thin air.”


    “I understand,” Maia said calmly, her tone steady and without usation. “It seems they know how to cover their tracks, which means they’re no ordinary people. But I may have a lead.”


    Her subordinate’s voice brightened instantly. “A lead? Boss, you’re incredible! What is it? What should I do?”


    “Track one person for me.” Maia narrowed her eyes, her voice dropping — sharp andmanding. “Granger Sparrow. An oil tycoon. Find his location, his contact information, and everything he’s been doing recently in Wront.”


    “Understood. I’ll start immediately and update you the moment I have anything.”


    “Good.” Maia hung up, but barely had time to set the phone down before it buzzed again. It was Pattie.


    She hesitated a moment, then answered.


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    “Maia! Thank goodness — you’re okay?” Pattie’s voice trembled with panic. “After Rnd and I woke up, we searched everywhere for you. Then we saw you listed as missing — I nearly lost my mind!”


    “I’m… managing,” Maia said carefully.


    She bore no physical scars, yet the absence of the person she loved cut deeper than any wound.


    “Managing? You can’t say things like that!” Pattie’s anxiety spiraled. “Where are you? Tell me — I’ming to get you right now.”


    “Pattie!” Maia’s sharp interruption silenced her friend instantly.


    “Yes?” Pattie whispered.


    “I am alright. What I need is for you and Rnd to look after Ethan for me. Please.” Maia’s tone firmed. “That’s the most important thing right now. There are pressing matters I need to deal with. When they’re finished, I’lle see you.”


    Before Pattie could reply, Maia ended the call.


    She leaned back, eyes closed, fists clenched. Kiley Cooper. Kolton Cooper. Cooper Group. This time, she would settle everyst debt.


    Pattie stared at her phone, the abrupt disconnect tone buzzing in her ear.


    Maia never ended a call that way. Something was deeply wrong.


    “Maia…” she breathed, turning toward Rnd just as he finished his own call. “Rnd, did you find which hospital Ethan is in?”


    He nodded, his expression tense but clear. “Erygan Hospital. It’s close. Ethan’s stable and under care.”


    “Then let’s go. Now.” Pattie was already in motion, snatching her coat and heading for the door. “I just spoke to Maia.”


    Rnd was right behind her, his longer strides quickly matching her pace. “How is she? Was she hurt?”


    Pattie bit her lip, the words feeling insufficient. “She said… she said she was okay.”


    A wave of relief washed visibly over Rnd. “Good. That’s good.”


    But then his face clouded, a memory surfacing through the haze. “Wait. Just before I cked out… I saw Chris. He jumped in front of Maia. He took a bullet for her.”


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