Chapter 17 Ignoring her , Timothy answered the call with trembling hands . " Found her ? Where is she ? " An unfamiliar voice came through . " Hello , this is bank customer service . Your card just had suspicious activity … " Timothy's knuckles turned white gripping the phone while Patricia stared in disbelief . " So you almost got us killed just to answer that call ? " " I'm waiting for a very important call . " Timothy restarted the car , his voice icy . Patricia's eyes instantly reddened as she bit her lip and fell silent . Night wind rushed through the half - open window , bringing a chill that made the car's atmosphere heavier than ever . Timothy stared at the blurry traffic light ahead , consumed by one thought : finding Shirley immediately . Passing a crossroads , Patricia suddenly unbuckled her seatbelt . " Timothy! What's wrong with you ? You've been distracted all day ! " The man in the driver's seat abruptly tightened his grip on the steering wheel . 0.00 % 11 DONG 00:30 Chapter 17 288 Vouchers The Patricia in his memory always spoke softly with a gentle lilt , but today felt different . He turned and met her gaze directly . " Patricia ? " Timothy sounded bewildered . Patricia quickly composed herself , flustered as she adjusted her expression . " Sorry , I got startled earlier . I'm not quite myself . " She lowered her head , long lashes casting shadows beneath her eyes . " Please don't take it to heart . Timothy studied her downcast profile , struck by an unfamiliarity he couldn't place . But the unread detective message on his phone yanked his attention back . He restarted the engine , " My mistake . Let's get you home to rest . " Patricia's knuckles whitened where she gripped her skirt . Only when the car stopped at the Campbell manor gates did she muster a weak smile . " I'll head upstairs now . Drive safe . " The moment the car door shut , her smile instantly collapsed , the sparkle in her eyes vanishing completely . Pushing open the manor door , the living room air hung thick and stifling . 27.52 % 00.30 Chapter 17 288 iVouchers Her adoptive parents sat rigidly on the sofa . Several crumpled sheets lay on the coffee table - the very papers Shirley left behind severing family ties . Mrs. Campbell looked up , eyes red - rimmed . " Patricia , your sister's vanished . Her phone's dead , no one can find her … " " It's been days now . " Patricia's heart skipped a beat . She dug her nails into her palms to suppress the smile threatening her lips . She rushed over , clutching her hands . " How could this happen ? Could she be in danger ? " Her voice held perfectly measured panic . The Campbells shook their heads helplessly . After all , if Timothy couldn't find her , what could the Campbell family do ? Back in her room , Patricia bolted the door and immediately dialed Timothy's number . He answered after the first ring , her voice trembling . " Timothy , I heard Shirley's missing . What do we do ? I'm terrified . Did mentioning divorce upset her ? Is that why she stormed off ? " " Stay calm . " Static crackled through Timothy's voice , a faint engine humming in the background . 56.39 % 的 00.30 Chapter 17 288 iVouchers " I'm investigating . Stay put at home . " " But I can't sleep at all … " Patricia bit her lower lip . In the mirror , her red - rimmed eyes couldn't conceal the excitement flickering within . Shirley couldn't wait for Shirley to disappear , preferably forever . Only then could Timothy and the Campbell family remain firmly within her grasp . Downstairs , her adoptive parents ' anxious voices drifted up . Patricia pretended to hurry down , feigning concern . " Any news about Shirley yet ? " 86.10 % 1