Due to the ident urring deep in a mountain ravine in the middle of the night, visibility was extremely low and the rescue operation proved difficult and time–consuming.


    Rescue workers had to first douse the mes using water before preparing to rappel down and investigate the scene.


    The first team descended using ropes and found that the vehicle had been almost entirely consumed by fire–nothing remained but a charred shell.


    A preliminary search didn’t reveal any human remains. However, due to the force of the explosion, any organic material could have beenpletely destroyed. A forensic team would need to investigate at daylight to confirm.


    When the first rescue team returned and reported their findings, Felix gave Sebastian an update.


    “No human remains were found. That might be good news.”


    Sebastian’s bloodshot eyes lifted. “She wasn’t in the car?”


    “Correct. There’s a real possibility Caitlin is still alive.”


    “She’s alive…”


    Sebastian’s voice cracked with emotion. Still in mourning, he clung to that hope like a lifeline. “She wasn’t in that car… then she’s still alive… Caitlin wouldn’t leave me like this…”


    James rubbed his burning eyes and added, “If my sister wasn’t in that car, then this was a setup. The person who took her faked the crash to throw us off.”


    –


    Zeke nodded, seeing the same possibility. “Exactly. We assumed from the start she was in that vehicle and wasted critical time waiting for rescue. But what happened during those lost hours? Where did they take her? We have to keep searching.”


    Sebastian shook off the weight of grief. “Then let’s move. We’re not stopping now.”


    Felix told them, “Split up and follow any leads. I’ll coordinate with the police. If the forensics report confirms anything new, I’ll update you immediately.”


    “Understood.”


    Learning that Caitlin wasn’t in the car reignited their determination. The search resumed with renewed energy.


    They began checking every possible exit route near the mountain. As dawn broke, the misty forest and ravine came into full view.


    The forensic and police teams descended again, this time equipped with thermal imaging devices to scan for organic material. After thoroughly analyzing the wreckage, they concluded the car was empty when it went off the cliff.


    Felix ryed the news to Sebastian the moment it was confirmed.


    This solidified Sebastian’s belief–Caitlin was still alive. He immediately requested the police keep the information confidential to avoid alerting the kidnapper, while they continued the search with urgency.


    Sebastian, James, and Zeke divided into three teams to look for Caitlin.


    15:20 Tue, 2 Sept


    But the crash had caused them to lose crucial time. Now, finding her was like trying to find a needle in a haystack.


    Sebastian ordered people to check all major transportation hubs–bus terminals, shipping docks, and airports.


    Nothing turned up.


    ?? . 61%E


    +20


    Meanwhile, news of the awards ceremony dominated the front page of every media outlet in New York. Entertainment columns were flooded with scandalous headlines–most involving Zora.


    The rumor about her miscarriage went viral.


    When Zora finally regained consciousness, she found herself in a hospital bed. Pain consumed her body, and her mind spiraled into despair as the memories of the awards night came flooding back.


    She had lost everything.


    Her child was gone. Her salvaged reputation was destroyed. Even without checking the news, she could imagine how humiliating her downfall must look to the public.


    She felt utterly defeated and hopeless… and for a moment, she even wished she were dead.


    But she couldn’t let go.


    This was all Caitlin’s fault.


    In the hospital room, Ximena was on the phone with Zeke, who was updating her on Caitlin’s disappearance. Her face was full of


    worry,


    “I understand. Keep looking and let me know if there’s any progress.”


    As she hung up and turned around, she saw her daughter awake.


    “Zora, you’re awake!”


    “Mom… I lost the baby<i>…</i>” Zora murmured, tears rolling down her cheeks.


    Ximena sat beside her and gently consoled her. “Then let it go. That child was never meant toe into this world. You’re still young. You’ll have more chances in the future. Right now, you need to focus on recovery.”


    “When you’re well again, I’ll arrange for you to go abroad for some time. Rest, reflect, study–heal your body and your mind. Thene back?


    “Okay… Zora said quietly. What else could she say?


    She knew she couldn’t stay in New York anymore. Leaving the country was her only option.


    But just then, something Ximena <b>said </b>earlier came back to her.


    “Mom, were you on the phone with Zeke? What happened? Who’s missing? Was it Caitlin?”


    Ximena had promised her son not to tell anyone, but Zora wouldn’t stop pressing. “Mom, am I not your daughter? Why are you keeping secrets from me now?”


    Ximena sighed. “Yes, it’s about Caitlin. After the awards ceremonyst night, she went missing. Your brother and the others are all


    searching for her.”


    “She was kidnapped?”


    “We don’t know who took her. It’s very concerning.” Ximena looked out the window, missing the flicker of satisfaction in Zora’s


    eyes.


    The moment Zora heard the confirmation, her sorrow disappeared.


    Finally–karma.


    Caitlin had yed dirty at the awards show, and now look at her. Gone. Kidnapped.


    She couldn’t help but smile.


    Maybe the kidnappers would just kill her and be done with it.


    +29


    Another day and night passed.


    Still no progress.


    Every possible lead was chased down. Surveince footage from the night of the disappearance had been reexamined multiple times–nothing useful.


    The most likely route out remained the mountain slope where the crash had been staged. But even after canvassing every nearby household, not a single witness had seen anything.


    It was possible Caitlin was still being held somewhere in the city. The policeunched a citywide, block–by–block search.


    But secrets never stay buried for long.


    News of Caitlin’s disappearance began to spread and quickly made headlines.


    Sebastian’s friends all reached out. They rallied their own contacts and helped circte missing person alerts.


    Yates, Benjamin, Simon–all of them joined the search,


    The entire Vanderbilt family was informed, though the elders kept the children in the dark.


    “What do we do now?” Eliza asked anxiously.


    Beatrice was hit hard by the news. She swayed on her feet and nearly fainted.


    “Grandma, hold on–don’t scare us!” Molly caught her just in time.


    Beatrice clutched the doorway, trembling/“Go… go find Caitlin…”


    But before she could say more, she copsed.


    “Grandma!” chaos erupted inside the Vanderbilt estate.