The whip was raised high before it was brought down with force.

With a sharp crack, Sydney's skin was torn open. A piercing scream shattered the night.

Christopher had called Sydney several times that day, but she hadn't answered. He felt uneasy, sensing that something was wrong.

He decided to send someone to investigate and soon discovered a clue from the Spencers, learning that Sydney had gone missing. Growing more alarmed, Christopher immediately sent people to search for her.Têxt © .

At the same time, he was looking into the Spencers' activities and found that they were searching for a watch.

This watch was one of only a few dozen in the world; excluding foreign owners, only a few people in Blencalgo possessed one. Following the trail, Christopher made an even more shocking discovery.

One of the people who owned this watch was his mother.

He called his mother, but she didn't pick up. He sent her a message, but she didn't reply.

Christopher drove straight to his mother's house.

The lights in the villa were off, and he honked the horn repeatedly until the gate opened. Xyla, hearing the noise, put on her clothes and walked out.

She saw Christopher's grim expression as he got out of the car.

"Chris, why are you here at this hour?"

Christopher's face was ashen. He immediately grabbed Xyla by the arm and asked, "Is Mom home?"

"She's not here. She's been very busy lately, always out."

"Do you know what she's been busy with lately?"

Seeing the grim expression on Christopher's face, Xyla became worried. "What's going on, Chris?"

"Just answer me. What has she been busy with?" Christopher's voice rose.

Xyla was startled and hurriedly replied, "I'm not sure exactly, but I think she's been dealing with some financial investments."

Hearing the mention of financial investments, Christopher was now certain that Sydney's disappearance was related to Chandra.

"Chris, what's going on? Tell me. We'll figure it out together. Don't scare me like this." Xyla was genuinely frightened.

"Xyla, did mom ever mention anything about Sydney?"

Sydney? When Xyla heard those words, they sounded both familiar and foreign.

Seeing the shifting emotions in

Xyla's eyes, Christopher immediately asked, "Do you know something?

Tell me everything you ove

"Chris, I... I don't know her well. I've never even met her, I....."

"Xyla was Geoffrey's first love. You know that, right?"

Xyla nodded. "Yes, I know that, but..."

Wait. Xyla seemed to have realized something.

"Chris, you came here so late because of Sydney, didn't you?"

"If I'm not mistaken, her disappearance must be related to Mom."

"How could that be?" Xyla asked. "How could Mom..."

Suddenly, Xyla froze. She was uncertain now.

"Xyla," Christopher urged. "Please, if you know anything, tell me."

Xyla was in shock. Christopher was usually a calm person, someone who could face any crisis without batting an eye. This was the first time she had ever seen him so anxious.

"When I divorced Geoffrey, Mom asked me a lot of questions. She even asked if he had other women." "What did you say?"

"I didn't say anything. I just told her that my divorce with Geoffrey was my choice, that no one forced me, and that no one interfered. I didn't speak badly about Sydney. Chris, what's your relationship with Sydney? Why are you so concerned about her?"

The fact that Christopher had come to her so late and asked about Sydney meant there was something between them...