Shawn Rhodes called the Jennings Family. "Is Talia’s disappearance related to your family’s illegitimate child?" Shawn Rhodes questioned, suppressing his anger. Ian Jennings’s expression turned serious, "What? Talia’s gone missing? Have you called the police?" "The police were the ones who called me to confirm Talia’s missing status. We’ve called her several times, and it’s been a dead number. Her aunt and I searched her residence and law firm, but she’s nowhere to be found." Shawn Rhodes’s voice was filled with rage, "And Adrian? What’s he doing right now? Is he not looking for Talia?" "We just found out about Talia’s disappearance. Adrian is still busy at work; he probably doesn’t know yet. I’ll inform him first. Don’t worry, I’m sure Talia will be fine. Her phone might have run out of battery. Once it charges, she might contact you herself," Ian Jennings reassured. "Out of battery? How is that possible? Her aunt and I have been searching for her all night, and we haven’t even caught a glimpse of her. You are really being insensitive here. Just because she’s not your child, you don’t care at all!" Ian Jennings: "Shawn, calm down." "Calm down? How can I calm down?" Shawn Rhodes grew more agitated, raising his voice in a shout, "If your Adrian suddenly disappeared, could you stay calm?" Ian Jennings felt a headache coming from Shawn Rhodes’s shouting, "Let’s see what the police have to say first." Melinda Lynch was sitting next to Ian Jennings, and Shawn Rhodes’s voice over the phone was loud enough to make her understand most of what was happening. She was very fond of Talia Rhodes, almost seeing her as half her own daughter. Upon knowing Talia Rhodes was missing, Melinda Lynch couldn’t help but feel anxious and worried. "What happened? Talia’s missing?" Melinda couldn’t help but ask. Ian said a few more words to Shawn Rhodes before hanging up the phone. "Yes, Shawn said they haven’t been able to reach Talia; he and Xiao Yang have been looking for her all night." Melinda’s brows furrowed deeply, "Have the police been called?" Ian replied, "Yes, they’ve called the police. It was the police who contacted them." "Does Adrian know? Quickly notify Adrian so he can help search as well." Just as Ian was about to call Adrian Jennings, Adrian called in. Adrian didn’t waste time, "Dad, you all know about Talia’s disappearance, right? She’s been kidnapped." Ian was shocked, hastily asking, "What! Kidnapped? How did that happen?" Adrian’s gaze was dark, his tone weary, "It’s Vincent Fletcher. I’m on my way home now. Don’t worry, wait for me. Also, absolutely do not call the police." "Vincent Fletcher?" Ian’s expression immediately darkened, "But Shawn said they’ve already called the police." "What!" Adrian tightened his grip, his knuckles turning white, shouting harshly, "You can’t call the police! Vincent Fletcher’s side just called me. I was planning to come home to discuss a plan with you. If we recklessly call the police, Vincent could kill her at any moment; Talia’s life is in danger!" "Then what do we do now? The police already know Talia’s missing." Ian frowned. "Wait for me at home, I’ll be back shortly." Adrian left those words and hung up the phone. Melinda asked worriedly, "How is it? Is there any news about Talia?" "It was a call from Adrian." Ian’s expression was grave, pausing for a moment before speaking, "Talia’s been kidnapped. The person who took her is... Vincent Fletcher." "Vincent Fletcher?" Melinda’s face changed instantly, "Why him again? He has no grudge against Talia, so why kidnap her? If it’s because Talia and Adrian are engaged, is it revenge on Adrian? But Adrian and Talia have already broken up!" Melinda’s brows knitted tightly, "There’s so much gossip about Adrian and Lanxi, but hardly anyone knows about Lanxi’s background. There’s no way Vincent could know. The Rhodes Family has been stable for some time; why did Vincent suddenly kidnap Talia?" Melinda spoke a whole long paragraph in one breath, and Ian listening to it found himself with a massive headache. The man rubbed his temples, "Even if you ask me, I don’t know either. Adrian said he’s coming back now. Let’s discuss a strategy with him first. Oh right, I’ll call Shawn Rhodes and ask him over to strategize with us." Melinda was truly worried about Talia’s safety. Knowing Vincent Fletcher kidnapped Talia, she stared at Ian, muttering, "Vincent Fletcher, Vincent Fletcher, why him again! Ian, look at the trouble you’ve caused. If it weren’t for you back then..." Hearing her bringing up old scores made Ian extremely agitated, patience wearing thin. Ian’s tone was harsh, "Alright, alright, enough with that! How many years has it been, and what’s the use of bringing it up now? It’s better to remain calm and plan with Adrian to rescue Talia." Seeing Ian lash out, Melinda flared up, her voice raising two notches. Content orıginally comes from 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⁂𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⁂𝘯𝘦𝘵 "I’m bringing up old scores? What do you mean I’m bringing up old scores! Ian, search your conscience and tell me, have I, Melinda Lynch, ever wronged you? Ever since I married into the Jennings Family, I’ve devoted myself to your family..." "Enough!" Ian interrupted harshly, "Now is not the time to argue!" Finishing those words, he stormed off, leaving in a huff, heading upstairs alone. Down in the living room, Melinda sat on the sofa, her eyes red with anger. Ian always said she liked to bring up old scores, but all these years the issue from back then was never truly solved. It was a thorn in her side, an obstacle she could never overcome. After the anger, a sense of grievance welled up in her heart; tears welled in Melinda’s eyes as she sat alone on the sofa in the living room, silently crying until her eyes turned red. The intense arguments from the living room reached the ears of a certain housekeeper aunt busy with her chores. This housekeeper was someone who had served the Jennings’ old matron for over twenty years; whenever there was a disturbance at home, she would promptly report it to the old lady. Sure enough, not long after Ian and his wife’s argument, the old matron of the Jennings family was informed. The housekeeper relayed every word she heard to the old matron. The old matron was caught off guard, hardly believing it, "Are you saying Vincent Fletcher kidnapped Talia Rhodes?" The housekeeper nodded gently, "Yes, Old Mrs. Jennings." The old matron’s expression was very unpleasant, her eyes filling with anger, "This is truly abominable!" Though she didn’t like Talia Rhodes, despite her dislike, kidnapping was a criminal act with human life at stake, something she absolutely could not tolerate. Moreover, although Vincent Fletcher wasn’t officially recognized, he was still her grandson, possessing the Jennings family blood. She couldn’t tolerate her grandson committing such a crime. The old matron immediately called Adrian Jennings, telling him to hurry home. Adrian answered, saying he would be home shortly. After hanging up, the old matron asked the housekeeper, "Where’s Susanna? Where is she?"
His Perfect Ex Returns: The Heiress Walks Away to Her Real Prince - Chapter 142
Updated: Oct 28, 2025 3:13 AM
