Seduced By My Billionaire Boss

Chapter 57: THE SEARCH PARTY

"What's in it, son? Open it" Mr. Thompson urged his younger son as he rushed to his side. He was prepared for whatever was in that nylon. If it was some message from his business rivals, he will kill that fucking son of a bitch with his bare hands. He wouldn't mind being termed a murderer if it means protecting his family.

"Yes, Vino, open it. It might be the clue to Skylar. Please be strong" Michael told his brother as he urged him on while nodding.

Vino stares at his family to see the concern and care on their faces. He swallowed his fear and ripped the nylon apart. A little shiny thing fell off his hands onto the tiled floor making a clicking noise as it hit the floor.

Vino gasped; he didn't need to look before he knew what that was. It was Skylar's engagement ring. He would recognize it anyway in the world as it was a custom made one. Only Skylar has that design.

"Whe__re di__d you g_et that?" Vino stammered between tears as he sank into the couch while breaking down in tears. He sobbed like a baby not caring about anyone in the room. His heart was ripping into two and he didn't even know what to do.

"Calm down, Mr. Thompson. We still didn't know if it belonged to Miss Evans____" Inspector Scott paused as it suddenly dawned on him. Judging from Vino's reaction, he sure has found his answer "Unless it did belong to her"

"Of course. I gave that to her. It was my engagement ring to her. Now where did you find it" Vino asked as he nodded at his mother who was consoling him with tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry son, please don't cry. You're breaking Mama's heart" Mrs. Thompson consoles her son as she hugs him close and pat him on the shoulder but instead of stopping the tears in Vino's eyes it only serves as a catalyst to unleash more tears. He sobbed into his mother's hands who tried to comfort him

Inspector Scott watched white face as sadness envelope the room, he couldn't help feeling sorry for the Thompson's family. Apart from being the wealthiest and most influential family they were all the kindest. They owned many charitable foundations across the world, and donated stuff to everyone who needed it. He couldn't think of anyone who would wish them bad luck.

Inspector Scott sighed heavily "Just as the saying goes, evil always follows the good" He pitied them. That's why he had vowed to bring the kidnapper to justice. Screw his promotion or money, the kidnapper fucked with the wrong family and now has him to contend with.

With this new resort, Inspector Scott once again updated them on his findings' ' We found it on the paved road leading to Evan's home. Apparently, whoever kidnapped her was pissed off by her ring" He paused to see if anyone was following his words but seeing the confusion on their faces, he knew they didn't understand any words he had said.

"I mean, anytime something like this happens it always leads to one suspect_____" Inspector Scott once again looks around the room waiting for someone to supply the answer. Looking at him, one could see he enjoyed putting one in suspense which was why Nina had to break the silence else Vino might snap out of annoyance.

"You mean like an ex-boyfriend or something? '' Nina asked inspector Scott with some understanding in her eyes. The theory made sense to her having passed through that herself. She could possibly understand why something like that could happen to Skylar. She was such a loving young lady. And a talented one as such___ Nina thought to herself as a sigh escaped her tired lips.

Michael noticed her faraway look and went to wrap his hands around her, he bent to whisper in her ears "It's okay, Amor. We are safe. This isn't about us"

Nina nodded as she covered his hands with hers and whispered back "I know but I still can't help feeling sad for Vino. He does not deserve this. All he wanted was to love and nothing else"

"Nobody deserves this, Tesoro but even the greatest love must pass through trials. I'm sure my brother will come out stronger. Don't worry, he can handle this" Michael told his wife reassuringly before bending to give her a quick peck on her neck.

Vino raises his head to the inspector having just registered his words. He stood up abruptly, wiping his eyes furiously and he turned to the inspector "Ex-boyfriend?" He asked the inspector to be sure he heard alright. His behaviour shocked his family as they all stopped their motion to listen to him.

Inspector Scott paused as he looked at the young Thompson in shock, he didn't know what his question meant and he didn't want to send him into another frenzy. Inspector Scott nodded after a long time of inner battle and continued "Yes, that's the theory we concluded with but we haven't spoken to Mrs. Evans to confirm if Miss Evans indeed has an ex-boyfriend or _____"

"Yes, she did" Vino replied with urgency in his voice as he cut off Inspector Scott.

"I think Skylar called him Leon or something or was it Jose" Vino asked himself as he paced through the room, the theory was being meaningful.

"And how did you know about this, son? Did Miss Evans tell you?" Mr. Thompson asked his son. He had been quiet all this while merely observing the activity in front of him.

Judging from the excited look in the inspectors' eyes, Mr. Thompson was glad to have asked the right questions.

"I met him once at the talent hunt show. He threatened Skylar. I never took it seriously then but now; it all makes sense" Vino explained to his family as he stopped to watch them.

"I'm sure he heard about the engagement in the paper and came after Skylar. That fucking son of a bitch, wait until I lay my hands on him" Vino swore angrily. He was feeling guilty for not following up on Leon. He could have had someone look up that son of a bitch and find out where he stayed but he had been so consumed with Skylar's love that he neglected her safety.

"Thank you for your help, Mr. Thompson. We'll be on our way now. I'll check with Mrs. Evans tomorrow about her own side of the story and get back to you. Still then, have a good night" The inspectors greeted them before walking to the door where Maria stood about to help him with it.

"Inspector"

Inspector Scott paused and turned as soon as he heard Vino's voice "Yes, Mr. Thompson. Go ahead"

"Please do everything in your power to find Skylar. Now that her ex is involved, it could be dangerous. I can't risk her life"

"Sure, Mr. Thompson. I'll promise to do everything in my power to bring Miss Evans back safe and sound. You don't need to worry. Goodnight '' With that the inspector stepped out into the early morning dew and drove off to the office to continue work on the case which has surprisingly taken another turn.

"I'm going up to my room" Vino told his family as he took the stairs up to his room without waiting for their response. His mother looks at him with sadness in her eyes as she wipes for her son.

"Do you think he'll survive this? I haven't seen him so broken and dejected" She voiced her concern to her husband after they were alone in their room.

"I'm not sure anymore, darling but he's a Thompson. We are made with thicker skin, I'm sure he'll survive. Don't you worry, let's go to bed" Mr. Thompson pulled his wife into his arms and switched off the lamp before succumbing to a restless sleep.

***

"Grandpa!"

"Grandpa!!"

"Grandma!!!" Three voices screamed as they descended the stairs in excitement.

"Woah! look at who is here. if it isn't my grandchildren" Mr. Thompson said as his face broke into a smile. He was genuinely glad to meet his grandchildren.

"Grandpa, how are you? We've missed you so much" Nadia, the first of Michael's twins, told her grandpa as she fell into his embrace.

"I'm good children. How are you all doing? How was your trip? I miss you all" Mr. Thompson replied as his wife watched the exchange with wonder in her eyes. They were currently at the breakfast table, with Vino missing again.

"We are good" They reply, as they all giggle in excitement.

"I miss you, grandma," Nelson, the only son of Michael's, told his grandma as he hugged her, showing her his perfect set of milk teeth, which were missing two pairs.

"Of course, I know my love. Let's leave the girls with their grandpa. I got a gift for you" Mrs. Thompson told her five years old grandson as she carried him up the stairs to her room while the girls followed behind her protesting about their own gifts.

Vino came down from the stairs just as the door opened to usher in the inspector and Skylar's mom.

"Mrs. Evans" Vino rushed to her side while his father followed behind him, breakfast was completely forgotten as they all gathered in the sitting room.

"Any news inspector Scott?" Mr. Thompson asked the inspector as soon as they were sifted in the parlour.

"Yes sir" The inspector replied before he turned to Vino "Just like you've suspected last night. It was Mr. Leon Rodriquez, her ex-boyfriend. Her mom found this note on her reading table hours after we left" Inspector Scott replied before handing the note to Thompson who went through it repeatedly couldn't find meaning in it.

"What does this mean? There isn't any clue here that it was Leon. How did you know?" Vino asked the inspector after going through the note himself.

It was just a note about how sweet the bay water was and how lying in the sand makes her feel tanned. Looking at the note, one would think Skylar was on a vacation but wasn't kidnapped.

"It is a secret message to me. A two-way message which my daughter knew I would understand" Mrs. Evans replies as she wipes her eyes while sneezing loudly.

"Bayswater was the name of the ocean located in Skylar's hostel where she schooled in Spain. It was her first meeting place with Leon. She wanted me to know that Leon had kidnapped her" Mrs. Evans replied with a nod...

"Fine, Inspector Scott. Have you put out any words on her kidnapper?" Mr. Thompson asked the inspector as he relaxed. Now that they finally knew it wasn't his rival, he could finally rest.

"Yes, Sir. We've plastered his pictures and Miss Evan's all over the street and internet, hopefully someone will call us soon. In the meantime, we plan on traveling to Spain to check out Miss Evans hostel. Have a nice day!" Inspector Scott stood up having done with his briefing. He needed to go back to the station in order to prepare for his trip to Spain.

"Sure, you do that, Inspector. Good luck!" Mr. Thompson shone his hands before motioning Maria to show him out which she did by walking him to the door.

The house became silent again as they dispersed one after another to their room everyone lost in their thoughts. Mrs. Evans left almost immediately after Inspector Scott saying she needed to go find more clues about her daughter's kidnapping.

***

It was late in the evening; Vino was lying in his room looking up at the sky with tears streaming down his face. He felt useless and incapable of protecting his woman.

How could he let this happen the second time under his watch? How could he break his vow? He had promised to protect her with his life but instead he had failed that promise? How could he ever save his woman now?

A knock on his door before two giggling voices show themselves to his room. Vino stood up on his bed having known that only his nieces could come disturb him but he wasn't in the mood to play which was exactly what he planned to tell them.

"Oh! Uncle Vino, look what Aunt Skylar got for us' ' Hearing Skylar's name from the girls piqued his interest because he was curious. He had never introduced Skylar to the girls, how did they know of her name?

Vino rushed into the room barefoot as he couldn't search for his second slipper in the room "How did you know her name? Was it from your mom and dad?" Vino asked them before squatting down to their level.

"Nope '' Nadia, the eldest replied, shaking her dark brown ponytail lightly to emphasize her answer.

Vino waited, knowing they would offer him a proper explanation "Remember we went to visit the Daniels today" Nora told him, causing Vino to nod. He wasn't aware that Lillian and her husband were in town but he kept quiet for the girls to continue.

"And so, on our way back a man stopped us and asked us to give you this. He said it was from Skylar our aunt"

Vino rushed to collect the parcel from them which was in a brown envelope. He opened it with shaky hands and left out a scream dropping the picture on the floor causing it to break into pieces.

"What's wrong? Oh my God!" Mrs. Thompson screams as she shields her eyes from the bloody picture in front of her. It was the picture of Skylar painted in blood. Mrs. Thompson couldn't help being scared for her son. Was she dead? If only she knew, she could have prevented him from getting engaged to her. How could this happen to her wonderful boy?

"Come son, let go" Mr. Thompson dragged Vino out of the room while already putting a call through to Inspector Scott.

Nina and her husband, Michael also usher their daughters out of the room, quizzing them on the way about the picture.

"Inspector, come quick. There's a new development in the case. Mr. Rodriquez is in New York '' Mr. Thompson told the inspector before hanging up.

Inspector Scott rushed out of the plane which he was about boarding to Spain and got onto the next cab to the Thompsons while praying to solve this mystery soon.