A sharp wave of shock coursed through Jonah's mind, instantly draining the color from his face. He grabbed Sean's rigid arm. "What did you just say? What do you mean Lyse is missing?"
In that moment, he completely lost control of his emotions. His trembling voice cut through the air, drawing the immediate attention of every member of the Taylor family.
"Jonah, did you just say Lyse is missing? How is that possible? I just spoke to her on the phone this morning!" Silas and his brothers rushed forward, crowding around Jonah and Sean in sheer disbelief.
"Lyse? Did something happen to her?" Winston asked.
Sitting in his wheelchair, Winston jolted back as if struck by lightning. A loud ringing filled his ears, and a sickening chill rushed through his veins. Overwhelmed by sheer panic, the metallic taste of blood surged in his throat. He doubled over violently and spat up a mouthful of dark red blood.
"Dad!"
Instantly, chaos erupted. The family scrambled toward Winston, while Colene, Lyla, and Tatiana—the youngest-burst into heavy sobs.
Even Axel, who had been trying to play it cool on the sidelines, sprinted over. He caught Winston's frail, collapsing body and cried out, "Dad, are you okay? You're scaring me!"
The veins on Axel's temples throbbed as his heart pounded frantically against his ribs—a tight, painful lump formed in his throat.
"Everyone, don't panic! I'm here. Dad's going to be fine!" Julien rushed forward immediately and dropped to one knee beside the wheelchair and grabbed Winston's wrist to check his pulse.
Jonah turned to Dexter, his eyes bloodshot and his voice rasping. "My apologies, Dexter, but I need you to pass a message to His Majesty. Until I find Lyse and my father's condition stabilizes, I can't return to Kontina with you. Please postpone the investiture ceremony."
Anxious and bewildered, Dexter shook his head. "We can't do that! This affects the stability of the royal family and Kontina's entire political landscape. As long as you delay your return, the country remains in turmoil. Besides, I'm just part of the security detail. I don't have the authority to make that call."
Silas shoved his way forward. Rose threw her arms around his waist to hold him back, but he broke free.
"Turmoil, my ass! Don't act like we don't understand politics. Half of Kontina's power belongs to the crown, and the other half belongs to parliament. Your country's First Lady is my younger sister, Miley, and your president is her husband-my brother-in- law! Now my eldest brother is the prince. How on earth could Kontina be facing political turmoil? Our family practically runs your country now!"
"Hey-shut up, will you?" Rose hissed, turning cold as she slapped a hand over Silas' mouth before he could dig a deeper hole.
Dexter stood frozen, breaking into a cold sweat. Yet, as he processed the words, he realized Silas wasn't entirely wrong.
"I don't care what you do," Jonah added. "Let the royal family handle their own affairs. All I care about right now is finding my sister and making sure my father survives."
As the eldest son, Jonah was on the verge of a total breakdown, and the rest of the family was right there with him.
"Everyone, quiet down! Stop screaming and crying!" Julien barked, silencing everyone.
As he kept his fingers on Winston's wrist, the tension in his brow finally eased. "Don't worry. He suffered a sudden surge of severe stress and anger He's taken a lot of harsh medications in the past that eroded his stomach lining, which is why he threw up blood. Still, we can't take this lightly. He needs to go to the hospital right away."
Winston hung his head low as a sudden wave of dizziness hit him. His life began
flashing before his eyes, past memories playing back like old film reels.
He saw himself sitting by his wife
Felicity's hospital bed. He remembered holding newborn
sa in his arms while she walled, and how Felicity had given him a faint, blissful smile as she gently stroked the baby's cheek.
Next he saw a young, spunky Alyssa running wildly around the grounds of Heightsnew Villa, with him chasing after her, repeatedly telling her to slow down.
He also saw himself standing in
front of his beloved wife's headstone holding Alyssa, fighting back tears while his little girl's chubby face was already streaked with tears.
He remembered it all now. And yet, Alyssa was nowhere to be found.
"Jonah... Jonah..." he rasped, calling out for his eldest son.
"I'm here, Dad!" Jonah dropped to his knees before Winston, tears brimming in his
eyes. "I'm not going anywhere. I won't leave your side until we bring Lyse home."
"You have to... You must find my darling Lyse," Winston pleaded, weeping uncontrollably.