Chapitre 22: Searching For Madeline

Hunter's POV

I admit that I was affected by Maddie's disappearance, and I wonder where she is right now. I didn't return to the dining hall, but I asked Cerila to help me search the entire mansion.

I have checked all parts of our house, but she is nowhere to be found, and I hate that I couldn't find her at all. I return to the second floor of our home, and I immediately go to Lily's room, for I am sure she finished eating breakfast by now.

"Where is Madeline, Lily?" I asked my sister the moment she opened her door.

"I should be the one to ask you that question, Hunter." She replied, and I felt disappointed that she was not helping me at all.

"Madeline is your fiancee, Hunter, but you hurt her feelings last night, and I guess that is the reason why she ran away. You didn't even bother to say hi to her because you were so busy talking with Kaye." Lily replied.

"How could you ignore your fiancee in front of your entire family? I understand how it made her feel. She was hurt and embarrassed." My sister added, and her words took me off guard.

"I know what I have done, Lily, but please tell me where she is," I begged her.

"I am sorry, Hunter, I don't have any idea where to find her. I was close to her, but she also knew I was close to you, so I am sure it was the main reason why she left without saying goodbye because she was afraid I would tell you where she would go," Lily replied, and she was looking at me seriously.

"Well, it means I must search the entire Archois City to find her." I declared.

"Please find her, Hunter, and I miss her already." She replied.

"Don't worry, Lily; I will do anything I can to find Madeline. She is my fiancee, and she is going to marry me, whatever happens. I will bring her back to our estate and make her my wife." I responded.

"You better leave now, Hunter, if you will look for her. Please don't waste your time, but I am sure you will only ask Calixto to search for Maddie because you will never do it on your own." Lily declared.

"You know how busy I am every day, Lily, and you know Calixto is very reliable, and you don't need to worry because I am confident Cal will bring her back to us," I said as I stroked her hair.

Lily looked at me and smiled. And I am glad my sister is no longer upset with me. I left the mansion with a heavy heart because I couldn't believe that Madeline left the estate. I called Calixto, but he didn't pick up his phone. I'm driving to the city because I need to see Cal. He looked so surprised when he saw me at his front door.

"Hunter? I mean, Mr. Divenson, what are you doing here in my house?" He asked in disbelief.

"Madeline is gone," I said, and his eyes widened.

"What? What have you done?" He asked me with confusion on his face.

"Don't you know that your question implies I have done something to her? And why do you think that way?" I asked, and I couldn't hold my irritation.

"Well, I know your parents and siblings don't like her except your sister, Lily. I can tell she loves and adores Madeline." Cal replied.

"I think she left because of Kaye, and I need you to find her, Cal." I pleaded with him.

"I am sure Madeline is not at her aunt's house because we both know she is clever, and I wonder what happened to why she suddenly left you. I know you are not telling me the entire truth." Calixto said, and I gave him a hard stare.

"Okay, I ignored her last night during dinner because I was so busy talking with Kaye, and I didn't expect Maddie to run away. It was because you told me she likes me. That is why I try to avoid her because I don't want her to fall for me, Cal."

"Hunter, your fiancee, is falling for you, and now you are afraid? Why is that? Are you planning to discard her after she gives you an heir?" He asked.

"That is the plan, Cal, and you can't do anything about it because I have to do it. That is why I don't want her to get attached to me." I replied.

"Do you know you are asking her to do something impossible, Hunter? It is difficult for her to stop falling for you because you know your allure; women will find it hard to resist your charm." Cal responded.

"If you don't want her to be in love with you, maybe it is better if you let her go. Perhaps you can consider the debts of her aunt as one of your charitable works." Calixto declared, and I suddenly flared up.

"I can't do that, Cal. I won't let her go, and I need Madeline Brownwood to be the mother of my child. I want you to look for her, which is an order, Calixto." I said, and he nodded his head.

"Okay, you don't need to get angry with me, Hunter. Don't worry, and I will look for her." He answered as I could see the amusement on his face.

"Thank you, Cal. I am sorry. I know it is your day off, but I am shocked that she suddenly disappeared, and I want you to find Maddie as soon as possible because I need to have her as my wife." I said, and I can tell Cal is doubtful about my intentions of marrying Madeline.

I became frustrated because Calixto failed to find Madeline for two days, and I had no choice but to intervene in his search. I waited for Gina to finish her shift as a part-time server at the restaurant. I made a reservation to have an excuse to talk with her.

I specifically requested Maddie's best friend to serve my meal, and I could see the surprised look on her face when she found me sitting on the dining chair. But she quickly recovered from her shock, and she served my food with confidence and a beautiful smile on her face.

"Good evening, Mr. Divenson. Please enjoy your meal." Gina said.

"Gina, I know your shift will end in two hours. I hope you can give me a little of your time since I need to have a word with you." I said, smiling at her.

I could tell that I made her blush, and Calixto was right. I have the same effect on women. Sometimes, I like it, but most of the time, I wish women would stop ogling me from time to time.

"Sure, but I think you don't need to wait for me for two hours, and I know the reason why you are here. If you are looking for Madeline, I am sorry because I don't know where she is right now." She responded.

"I have to be honest with you. She came to me on the day she ran away from the Divenson mansion, but we only met briefly, and she had no definite destination. That is why I am so worried about her." Gina added, and I could tell she was telling me the truth.

"I don't want my best friend to leave because I know she has nowhere to go. Her only remaining relatives are her aunt and the children of her aunt. She is desperate to leave Archois City, and I asked her to stay with me, but she was so afraid that you would find her." Giba continued.

"She is determined to flee because she doesn't want to see you anymore. I don't exactly know what is going on with you and my best friend, but it seems Madeline is hurt. That is why she left." Gina said, and I hate myself for making Madeline run away.

"I was happy when she told me she is getting married to you, Mr. Divenson because it made me realize you would change her life. She had a hard life growing up." Gina added.

"When Maddie's mother was diagnosed with cancer, her life became harder. I want to help her in any way I can, but my income will never be enough to help her pay her bills and her mother's medication, and by the time her mother died, her aunt was too deep in debt." Gina continued while I stared at her feeling so guilty for hurting Madeline.

"I know that you are the only person who could help her, but when I saw her after she ran away from your home, I realized she was in too much pain. I don't know what happens with her, but I am sure that Madeline wants to leave her old life behind." Gina stated.

"Maddie is excited to face her new life alone. She doesn't have direction, but she is determined to take a new path and willing to embrace what the future may bring." Gina added and fell silent for a long time.

"Thank you, Gina," I responded and those were the only words I said since I was lost for words.

I felt more worried about Madeline. Gina was right; she had no phone number, and I didn't know where to begin my search for Madeline. Cal has a point. I could have Madeline Brownwood go, but I can never do that because she is the only woman who made me feel this way after Rebecca.

I had never met a woman who kept me wide awake at night, but after meeting and kissing her for the first time, I realized it had been a long time since I felt that way, excited and happy, that I wanted to spend more time with her.

But because of my past, I tried my very best to stop my attraction towards her. And when I found out that Madeline disappeared, I felt so empty, and I was desperate to see her lovely face again. And now I couldn't believe even her best friend didn't know her whereabouts. I know I need to use my influence and money to find out the exact location of Madeline.

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