Chapter 167

Calliope couldn't take her eyes off her mother's pale face. Her chest tightened like something invisible was squeezing her heart - it hurt so bad she almost couldn't breathe. I'm sorry, Mom. I should've protected you. Please... just wake up, please... Her phone buzzed at that exact moment - it was Mia. Calliope answered on autopilot, her hand moving robotically to her ear, and Mia's anxious voice came through immediately: "Ma'am! Something's wrong! Dorothy's missing! I went to pick her up right after your message last night, but I couldn't reach her at all! I've been waiting outside the villa the whole night and she never came out!" Calliope's mind instantly snapped to attention. Dorothy was the only witness they had. She couldn't afford for anything to happen to her. She hung up the call, fumbling to find Bradley's number. But before she could dial, a warm hand gently wrapped around her trembling wrist. "I already called Bradley. He's on it. He'll make sure Dorothy is safe," came Conr