“No.” Charlie feigned surprise and asked, “Why? What’s going on? Is Mom still not back home?”


    “No,” ire replied, “I thought she went out with a friend. But one of her friends just called me and said they haven’t been able to reach Mom since this afternoon. They were waiting for her to confirm if they were having dinner together, but she’spletely out of touch. I also checked with Dad, but he has no idea where she is. That’s why I thought I’d ask you.”


    Charlie shrugged nonchntly, “I really don’t know where your mother is. She asked me for some money earlier today, saying she wanted to go out for dinner with her friends. But since Dad is managing our family’s finances now, I told her I needed to get his okay first. I didn’t give her any money because Dad didn’t agree. I think she might’ve been a bit upset.”


    ire nodded thoughtfully. “That’s strange. She’s not at home, and it seems she didn’t meet up with any friends either. So where could she be?”


    Charlie shrugged again and suggested, “Maybe she went out to y mahjong?”<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    “But why would she turn off her phone? No one can reach her at all. She’s never done anything like this before,” ire countered.


    “Maybe her phone battery died?” Charlie suggested. “Don’t stress. Mom’s an adult; she can look after herself.”


    ire sighed. “Even though she’s an adult, she often acts like a child. I’m really worried she’s gotten into some trouble.”


    Loreen, overhearing their conversation, asked in surprise, “You can’t find Auntie anywhere?”


    “No,” ire replied anxiously. “I can’t reach her on her phone at all, and it seems like no one has seen her today.”


    At that moment, Jacob peeked into the kitchen, surprised to see everyone gathered there. “Why are you all in the kitchen as soon as you get home? I was about to invite you for some tea.”


    ire quickly asked, “Dad, has Mom reached out to you? Why isn’t she back home when it’s sote?”


    Jacob scoffed at the mention of ine. “Who knows? Just let her be. I’m sure she’s out there causing more trouble for us.”<fn63fe> Get full chapters from find?novel</fn63fe>


    Since discovering that ine had squandered the family’s money, Jacob’s frustration towards her had be impossible to hide. Just the sight of her reminded him of their financial loss, making him wish she would simply stay away.


    ire felt helpless. “Dad, I know Mom made a mistake, but she’s apologized. She understands what she did was wrong. Please don’t stay angry with her. What if she decides to run away because of how you’re treating her?”


    “Run away?” Jacob sneered. “If she really did, I’d go to the temple and burn incense to pray for her. Honestly, it would be a relief if she just disappeared like Hannah did!”


    ire couldn’t believe her ears. It pained her to see how poorly her parents’ rtionship had deteriorated.


    After a brief silence, she said, “Dad, no matter how wed Mom is, you’ve been together for over twenty years. Can’t you just let the past go and forgive each other?”


    Jacob waved her off. “Forgive her? That’ll never happen! I will never forgive her in this lifetime!”


    With that, Jacob turned and walked out of the kitchen, hands behind his back.


    With a sigh, ire turned to Charlie. “Charlie, don’t you know a lot of people in Aurous Hill? You’re on good terms with Don Albert. Can you ask him to help us find out if anyone has seen Mom?”


    Charlie replied, “My dear wife, even kids sometimese homete after ying. Mom has only been gone since this afternoon. Why are you so worried? She’s yed mahjong for longer periods before! If she’s truly at a friend’s ce, we might not find her even if we searched all of Aurous Hill!”


    ire pressed her lips together. “Alright, let’s wait a little longer. But if Mom isn’t back by 10 PM, I’m calling the police!”


    “Call the police?” Charlie replied, a bit awkwardly. “Is that really necessary? The police are probably busy with serious matters. I don’t think we should bother them with this.”


    “I can’t just let this slide,” ire insisted. “We haven’t even found Auntie since she disappeared. What if the same thing happens to Mom? If I don’t hear from her by 10 tonight, I want you to go with me to the police station!”