Chapter 6 WHERE'S SHE

Sebastian's POV

The further I am from her the more fear enters my heart, what if she couldn't withstand the pressure and give in.

God knows I shouldn't put the key to all the deals these people are talking about in the hands of those vultures.

After the most pretentious laughter I gave this evening, I turned towards the table I left her.

I couldn't catch any sight of her but that didn't ring a bell until I got to the table and found only Olivia smiling at her phone

"Where is she ?"

Olivia looked up at me, confused. " she is not with you?"

"Olivia." I called out hoping she was pulling some sort of prank on me

"Okayyy, I am not joking around here, she is a whole person, duhh."

"Can you help me check the ladies' room while I call her?" I asked, already dialing Alexa's number.

Olivia stood and mouthed "okay" as she turned towards the ladies' room

As the phone rang, I suddenly heard it, coming from under the table. My heart sank as I bent down to pick it up.

She wouldn't have just left her phone behind. Something was wrong.

I started looking around for Isabella and Dominic hoping to find her with them and else I might as well run mad.

"Sebastian?" Olivia called out as I was about to head toward Isabella.

"She's not there," Olivia said.

"Fuck," I cursed, trying to keep my emotions in check. "I saw her with you last. What happened?"

"I went to the restroom, when I came back, she wasn't here. I assumed she was with you."

I gritted my teeth, struggling to maintain control.

"Can you help me check with your Mom and Uncle Dominic? I am going to search the rooms and anywhere else she might be."

" She isn't picking her calls?" Olivia asked curiously

"Her phone was under the table"

" Now I am starting to get worried."

" You know what, search the rooms instead, I need to see Isabella and Dominic myself." I demanded wishing Lucas was here

I reached Isabella and Dominic, who were engrossed in conversation with a group of guests. Isabella noticed me approaching and raised an eyebrow, clearly annoyed by the interruption.

"Where is she?" I asked, my voice betraying the panic I was trying to keep under control.

"Where is who?" Isabella replied, feigning ignorance as she took a sip from her champagne glass.

"Alexa," I snapped. "Where is Alexa?"

Dominic tilted his head slightly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Why, isn't she with you, neph?"

"No, she is not," I said, my patience wearing thin. "And her phone was left under the table. Did either of you see where she went?"

Isabella exchanged a glance with Dominic before replying,

"I haven't seen her since dinner. Maybe she stepped out for some air? These events can be overwhelming for someone like her."

Her words were with condescension, but I didn't have time to argue.

"If she's outside, why wouldn't she take her phone?" I countered, my frustration mounting.

"Did you see her leave with anyone?"

Dominic shrugged. "Can't say I did but if she's smart, she is probably avoiding people like us."

"Enough with the games," I growled. "If you know anything, tell me now."

"We are not her guard, boy, if you can't keep your wife to be on a leash, why bark at us?" Isabella hissed.

I gazed at them one last time before taking my leave. This is really driving me crazy. As I headed towards the staircase I remembered Sophia was at the party and she was capable of whatever could be going on.

I saw Olivia hurrying toward me. She looked worried, confirming what I already feared.

"I checked everywhere, she is not here, Sebastian."

" I am going to check the CCTV, help me check with Sophia."

The fact that someone could have taken Alexa under my nose was unbearable. Whoever it was, knew about the big engagement all along

As I entered the security room, the guards stood to attention.

"Mr. Steele, how can we help you?" one of them asked.

"I need to see the footage from the main hall, right now," I ordered.

"Of course, sir. I'll pull up the last hour for you."

The screen flickered to life, displaying various angles of the main hall. I watched intently as the footage rolled, my eyes scanning for any sign of Alexa.

"There," I said sharply, pointing at the screen as I saw Alexa sitting alone at the table. The time stamp indicated it was about thirty minutes ago.

The footage continued to play, and I saw Sophia approach Alexa.

The camera angle changed, showing Sophia and Alexa walking out of the main hall together.

"Switch to the exterior cameras," I demanded.

The guard quickly complied, I watched Alexa enter into a black car but she didn't seem forced.

"That's it," I muttered. "Where did that car go?"

The guard shook his head. "We don't have exterior coverage beyond the entrance, sir. The car wasn't on the property long enough for us to get a plate number."

"Then find out where it went!" I snapped, "I want every resource available tracking that car. And get me any footage from nearby traffic cameras. I need to know where they took her!"

The guards scrambled to follow my orders, but I knew it would take time. Time I didn't have.

As I made my way back to the main hall, I spotted Olivia pacing near the entrance,

"Did you find anything?" she asked anxiously.

"Sophia took her," I said, my voice cold with fury. "I am having the security team track it down but I can't just sit here and wait, did you find Sophia?"

" Yes, she is by the garden."

" Did you have a conversation with her?"

"No."

" I would go by myself then."

"What else do you need me to do?" Olivia asked.

"I need you to keep everyone distracted," I said, thinking quickly. "Make sure no one suspects anything is wrong, your mom, uncle Dominic."

Olivia nodded, her eyes narrowing with focus. "I've got this. Just bring her back safely, okay?