Accidentally Slept With The Ruthless Billionaire

Chapter 442: Don’t Forget Your Promise

Bianca took a deep breath and placed her hands on Elaine’s shoulders. “I have something really important to do today,” she said softly. “I can’t take you right now, but I promise I’ll make it up to you soon, okay?”

Elaine pouted. “You’re just like Mom. She always says that. She hasn’t played with me in a long time either.”

“I can take you,” Michael offered from behind Bianca. “If you don’t mind, I’ll take you to the amusement park.”

Elaine looked up, finally noticing the tall man standing behind Bianca.

Her little body shook nervously. She quickly ran back into Bianca’s arms, peeking out cautiously. Her big, round eyes studied Michael curiously.

“Who is he?” she asked, her voice small. “Last time, it was another man. Why isn’t he with you now?”

Bianca’s chest tightened. A wave of sadness hit her as memories surfaced—how she and Dave had taken Elaine to the amusement park, how happy they had been that day.

“He’s a friend of your mom and me,” Bianca said calmly.

Hearing that, Elaine slowly stepped out from behind Bianca. She was usually shy around strangers, but for some reason, she found the courage to face Michael.

Standing in front of him, she blinked and said in a tiny but serious voice, “Mister, since you’re my mom and Bianca’s friend, I’m not afraid of you.”

Her words melted something inside Michael.

He crouched down to her level, as he stared into Elaine’s eyes. A warm smile curved his lips as he asked, “Would you like to go to the amusement park with me?”

Elaine intuitively turned to Bianca, silently asking for permission.

Bianca gently pulled Elaine back into her arms. Sophia was still missing, and Michael couldn’t be trusted.

“Didn’t your mommy tell you not to go out with strangers?” she said softly. “You just met him today. You don’t know him yet.”

Elaine nodded, showing she understood. She turned back to Michael and said seriously, “Hmm, I can’t go with you because I don’t know you.”

Michael sighed, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. But his smile remained as he looked at her.

“Well, now that we’ve met, we know each other a little,” he said gently. “Next time we see each other, you can call me Mr. Hayes or…”

He hesitated, stopping himself from saying more.

“Okay, this gentleman and I have to go. We have something important to take care of. Be good, Elaine,” Bianca said.

Elaine didn’t want her to leave, but she knew she had to. She waved and reminded her, “Don’t forget your promise.”

“I won’t,” Bianca assured her. She hugged Elaine, then handed her back to the babysitter before turning to leave.

Michael hesitated. A rush of emotions filled him as he looked at the little girl.

He raised a hand and waved. “Bye, Elaine. See you next time.”

Elaine smiled brightly. “Okay, bye. We won’t be strangers the next time we meet.”

Her smile stirred something deep inside Michael. It was a strange mix of warmth and pain.

After leaving Sophia’s apartment, Michael’s phone buzzed. It was Dave.

His men had investigated and found that Sophia left the club at four in the morning. The last footage of her was on Seaside Avenue.

She looked unwell—dressed in thin clothes, a shawl draped over her shoulders, and barefoot.

Dave had sent more people to search the area, but there was still no sign of her.

Michael ended the call, his chest heavy with guilt. He crouched down, burying his head in his hands as regret tore through him.

Bianca rushed over, alarmed. “Michael, what’s wrong?”

“It’s all my fault!” His voice broke as he clenched his fists and hit his head in frustration. “It’s all my fault!”

Bianca’s brows knitted with concern. “What happened with Sophia last night?”

But Michael didn’t respond. He was lost in his own torment.

“Michael Hayes!” Bianca’s voice sharpened. “Beating yourself up won’t change anything. We need to find her. I’m calling the police.”

Bianca turned to leave, but Michael grabbed her arm tightly and desperate.

His hair was disheveled, his face pale and full of regret.

“Don’t,” he pleaded, his haunted eyes staring back at her. “Dave’s men are more effective than the police. If they can’t find her, the cops won’t either.”

Bianca hesitated. “What did Dave say?”

Michael took a deep breath and recounted the call with a hollow and distant voice.

Bianca bit her lip, her mind racing. “Seaside Avenue…” she muttered, then her eyes widened. “Wait! I think I know where she might be! Let’s go!”

Michael didn’t hesitate. He started the car and sped toward Seaside Avenue.

The fancy sports car sped through the busy city streets, heading toward a remote coastline.

Finally, they reached a desolate shore, where a towering lighthouse loomed over the crashing waves.

This was the most dangerous spot in Edenfield.

Bianca jumped out, her heart pounding as she sprinted toward the lighthouse.

Michael parked hastily and ran after her, scanning the eerie surroundings.

This was no place for the faint-hearted. The air itself carried a sense of danger, keeping people away.

The thought of Sophia being here made Michael’s stomach twist. His legs felt unsteady, dread creeping into his bones.

“Will she really be here?” he called out in a trembling voice.

Bianca spun around and burning hope appeared in her eyes. “Let’s split up and cover more ground!”

Michael hesitated but nodded, his mind clouded with worry.

Michael ran in the opposite direction, shouting desperately in a rough voice.

“Sophia! Sophia! I’m sorry! Please, come out!”

But his cries were drowned by the crashing waves.

He searched frantically, but there was no sign of her. His heart pounded as panic set in.

Finally, he turned back to find Bianca.

On the other side, Bianca wasn’t ready to give up. She shouted Sophia’s name, her voice ringing over the roaring sea.

Waves crashed against her, pushing her back, but she refused to give up.

Then, something caught her eye—a white shawl floating on the water.

Bianca froze. She knew that shawl—it was Sophia’s.

She sprinted toward the water, ignoring the danger.

“Bianca!” Michael’s voice rang out as he saw her rushing toward the violent waves. “It’s too dangerous! Come back!”

But she didn’t stop.

She dove into the sea, fighting against the current as she swam toward the drifting shawl with all her strength.

Despite her strong swimming skills, the raging waves were too powerful. They dragged her into the merciless sea.