BEHIND THE FACADE R18

Our Little Partnership.

MALCOLM'S POV

I paced the foyer, my mind racing with fury. Mia, my Mia, gone. Mrs. Jenkins and Emily stood before me, their faces etched with worry. Natalie's calm demeanor seemed out of place amidst the chaos.

"Where was she last?" I thundered, slamming my fist on the banister. Mrs. Jenkins trembled. "I asked Emily to prepare Mia's bath around 7 pm, sir." Emily nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, sir. I didn't see her after that."

Just then, Victor arrived, his face grim. "Malcolm, we've searched the surrounding area. No signs of Mia or any suspicious activity." My curses echoed through the foyer.

Mrs. Jenkins stepped forward, her eyes pleading. "Mr. Reed, please... I beg of you... release Mark. He didn't mean—"

My gaze snapped to hers, anger boiling over. "You dare ask for mercy for that traitor?"

Mrs. Jenkins fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "He's my brother, sir. Please, have mercy." I loomed over her, my voice icy. "Mark dared toy with me. He tried to take something that belongs to me. No one takes what's mine."

Mrs. Jenkins grasped my legs, her hands shaking. "Please, Mr. Reed... he didn't know—"
I cut her off, my voice rising. "You think ignorance excuses betrayal? Mark sealed his fate when he crossed me."

Natalie's eyes flickered with concern, but she remained silent. Victor shifted uncomfortably, clearing his throat. "Malcolm, perhaps—" I silenced him with a glare.

Mrs. Jenkins' pleas turned to sobs, but I remained unyielding.

Danmit! How could Mia vanish into thin air? I spun to Natalie, searching for any hidden truth. "And you, did you see or hear anything?" Natalie's expression remained unruffled. "No Malcolm, I was in my room all evening, I didn't notice anything unusual."

My curses echoed through the foyer, the words burning my lips. "What about the cameras? How could they not find anything?"

Victor's jaw clenched. "We will review the footage again boss."

Unnaceptable!

"Get me the security team. Now!"

Natalie stepped forward, her voice soft. "Malcolm, maybe we should....."

I cut her of. "I don't want 'maybes' I want Mia back. What were you all fucking doing when she escaped? All this wouldn't have happened in the first place if she hadn't managed to escape."

My face was burning with rage. Who dared take Mia from me? I will make sure to find that person and make them disappear from the face of the earth. No one plays with what is mine.

NATALIE'S POV

I watched as the security team filed in, their faces somber. Malcolm's anger was palpable, and I knew I had to tread carefully. That's when I saw him – the man in charge of the cameras yesterday. My heart skipped a beat. If he talked, my involvement would be exposed.

Malcolm questioned them, his eyes blazing. "I want to know how and when Mia escaped. Who was on duty last night?"

The man hesitated, his gaze darting to me. I subtly signaled him to keep quiet, my eyes locked on his. Fear flashed in his eyes, and he clammed up. "I-I didn't see anything, sir."

Malcolm's glare intensified. "Anyone know anything?"

"I did see a man riding a motorcycle towards the mansion." The man on duty spat.

My heart skipped a beat. Was he going to expose me? I'm done for.

Then he continued "I thought the guards by the entrance would have examined him."