Chapter 22

• As the door swung open with a resounding creak, the room bore witness to an eruption of sound, a voice marred by uncontainable urgency repeating a relentless refrain, "Where is my daughter? Where is my daughter!" The weight of that voice, laden with paternal concern and dread, belonged to none other than Ava's father. In this charged moment, Ethan found himself thrust into the throes of an impromptu and palpable confrontation, the very air pulsating with tension like a coiled spring.
• Desperately striving to maintain an outward veneer of composure, Ethan squared his shoulders, facing the formidable force that was Ava's father. The man before him was a formidable figure, his very presence a testament to authority and influence. Ethan, in a voice tinged with earnestness, responded, "Ava..? Sir, please, I know nothing about her whereabouts. We are no longer in touch."
• Meanwhile, in the shadowy recesses of the room, Ava had instinctively retreated to a corner, her heart a relentless percussion within her chest, the tumultuous cadence of her pulse betraying her acute recognition of the familiar tone that reverberated through her father's impassioned words. Alongside her father, an entourage of formidable bodyguards stood, their imposing figures a testament to the gravity of the situation. Edward, Ava's father, made his entrance with a forcefulness that left no room for hesitation, his security detail moving with the precision of a well-oiled machine as they pushed Ethan aside.