?<strong>Chapter 996:</strong>


    Allie clenched her jaw, her voice tight with worry. “Hush, save your energy. We’re going to the hospital right now.”


    Joelle stepped forward. “Rafael, you and Allie take Lucas to the hospital first. Aurora is still missing. Adrian and I will go look for her.”


    “Okay.” Rafael nodded, his expression focused. He carefully lifted Lucas and carried him towards the car.


    “I’ming to the hospital too!” Molly managed to choke out, her tears streaking down her face. “I can help!”


    Lucas winced, his voice barely above a whisper as he spoke through the pain. “No, you need to find Aurora.”


    Molly’s fists clenched, frustration bubbling up inside her. Even now, with blood staining his forehead, Lucas was more worried about Aurora than himself.


    Adrian, sensing her distress, ced aforting hand on her shoulder. “Lucas got hurt because he saved you. You have to take responsibility.”


    Molly nodded, her resolve hardening. No matter what Lucas said, she climbed into the car with them.


    Joelle and Adrian set off, scanning the area nearby. Rnd had dashed to the mountain behind the vi, into the dense forest beyond the Miller family’s property. The public road was quiet, with only the asional car passing by. They retraced their steps, calling out Aurora’s name, but there was no answer. Aurora had left her phone behind in her rush, and as the minutes turned to an hour, Joelle and Adrian’s unease grew. Without hesitation, they dialed the police.


    At that moment, a van sped past them. The back seats had been stripped away, leaving just enough room for Aurora, her wrists and ankles bound, her mouth taped shut.


    Her piercing gaze was locked on the two men in the front, both oblivious to the fire burning in her eyes.


    In her haste, she hadn’t been careful, and now, she was in their clutches.


    The van sped through the trees, her anxiety rising with every blur of greenery.


    Dunn, sharply dressed in a tailored suit, was preparing for an important seminar with his professor. The professor, eager towork, had set up meetings with some influential figures in the industry.


    Dunn’s suit fit him perfectly, the ck fabric sleek and sophisticated, with the low cor adding an air of understated elegance.


    As he entered the room with his professor, Lynda appeared from the other side. “Professor, thank you for still giving me this opportunity.”


    The professor smiled warmly, his voice full of encouragement. “You and Dunn are both my most talented students. Make today count, and don’t disappoint.”


    Lynda nced at Dunn, forcing a smile. “I will.”


    The professor’s seat was in the front row, and Dunn and Lynda settled into the seats behind. A renowned figure in the industry was speaking on stage, their wordsmanding the attention of everyone in the room. Lynda, unable to focus entirely on the speaker, turned to Dunn. “Dunn, do you have a girlfriend?”


    Dunn didn’t look her way, his gaze fixed on the stage. “Not yet, but soon.”


    Lynda’s chest tightened, but she reassured herself that rtionships didn’t alwaysst. As long as she kept improving, one day, Dunn would notice her.


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