Chapter 77 A Race Against Time


    Chapter 77 A Race Against Time


    Her voice was sharp and frantic, setting Finn’s jaw tighter by the second.


    “What on earth happened?” He questioned harshly.


    “La’s gone.”


    Tess forced herself to stay calm, but her voice trembled with panic.


    “Sit down. Talk me through it.”


    44


    s


    Finn could tell this was seriously wrong. In his mind shed the image of the baby who had smiled at him, babbling sweetly. His chest tightened at the thought.


    “There’s no time! The Wintergale Hotel–something was off from the start. That receptionist had her eyes on La. You’ve got power, right? Use it. Look into the hotel staff, their background–this has to be connected!”


    Tess grew more agitated as she spoke, gripping the front of his tailored shirt until it was a wrinkled mess.


    “Got it.” Finn’s eyes flicked down to her clenched fist on his chest but didn’t push her away. Instead, he pulled out his phone and called Zane immediately.


    In just a few sentences, he exined the situation. Once Zane began giving orders on the other end, Finn finally hung up and reached for Tess’s hand.


    Her skin was ice cold and it jolted him.


    She didn’t pull away this time.


    Clearly still trapped in her fear of losing La, her eyes were wide with dread, her emotions teetering on the edge.


    “Zane’s good at what he does. We’ll hear something soon,” Finn reassured.


    “No.”


    Tess turned to face him, eyes burning with determination. “Lend me a car. I need to look for her myself.”


    Their eyes met, sharp and intense. Finn’s heart sank.


    “It’ste. Are you sure? It’s not safe out there alone … ‘


    “The keys. Now.”<fn4c85> Original content can be found at ?ovelFind</fn4c85>


    Tess’s voice was cold and cutting, her grip on his cor fierce.


    She stood her ground with fierce resolve<i>, </i>leaving no room for argument. And yet, the faint tremble in her body betrayed a fragile vulnerability that tugged at the heart.


    Finn barely hesitated before giving in. “I’ll go with you,” he said quietly.


    He took her hand and led her toward the garage, tucking it against his side as they walked.


    Tess felt his warmth seep into her arm, but La came first. She didn’t shake him off–at least, not right away. Once they reached the car, she yanked her hand back and slipped into the passenger seat without a word.


    Finn nced down at his empty palm, something unreadable flickering in his eyes before he climbed behind the wheel.


    “Tess,” he said as he started the engine, his tone low, edged with frustration. “You’re asking me for help.”


    She stiffened. Only now did the weight of her earlier outburst catch up with her.


    Her expression faltered, but she quickly masked it with cold defiance. “Are you trying to go back on your word?”


    Chapter 77 A Race Against Time


    Finn let out a low, bitterugh. “We’re still legally married. Something this small? I wouldn’t turn you away.” Tess bit down on her lip, using every ounce of self–control to keep herposure.


    Finn nced sideways at her tense figure, but his concern only deepened.


    s


    Then, Zane’s voice came through the car system, “Mr. Lock, we pulled the Wintergale Hotel surveince, but the footage is too dark to make out anything clearly. The receptionist’s file says the original staff were on leave–reced by temps. That’s all we’ve got for now.”


    Finn had connected his phone with the speaker, and Tess could hear Zane’s voice loud and clear–each word hitting her like a ssh of cold water.


    If even Finn couldn’t get more information, then what chance did La have?


    Just the thought of it sent a sharp pain shooting through her chest–so intense it felt like she could hardly breathe.


    Finn noticed the way her eyes dimmed, the light in them all but gone. His heart ached at the sight.


    “Keep going. Check every surveince camera in the surrounding area. I want her found–safe and unharmed.“,


    Finn’s voice was low andmanding and left no room for negotiation.


    There was a moment of silence on the other end before Zane responded firmly, “Yes, Mr. Lock!”


    Tess’sshes quivered.


    Whet


    She nced at Finn instinctively.


    I had told him previously that La <i>wasn’t </i>his <i>child</i><i>. </i><i>So </i>why… <i>why </i>is <i>he </i><i>still doing </i><i>all </i>this?


    Tess bit down hard on her lip, but the pain didn’t register. When the metallic taste of blood seeped into her mouth, she finally snapped out of her daze.


    If you want to thank me, Finn said, eyes never leaving the road, “then once La’s found,e back to Evermount Vi with me


    He’d caught the shift in her emotions, noticed the tension radiating from her frame, and raised an eyebrow as he spoke.


    Tess turned her face away and didn’t respond.


    <b>Finn </b>pressed his lips into a tight line but didn’t push it.


    The air in the car grew beavy again, thick with silence.


    Soon they pulled up to the Wintergale Hotel. Zane was already there, along with several investigators, surrounding the front desk area with a hurrian wall.


    As the two stepped out of the car, <b>Zane </b>rushed forward and greeted them. “Mr. and Mrs. Lock!”


    Finn waved him <b>off </b>His gaze was sharp and cold. “Anything new<i>?</i>”


    Zane’s face arrised with difort as <b>he </b>shook his head.


    Tess’s face went even paler


    “Show me. Fins mattered, his brows furrowed even deeper as he stepped forward.