Chapter 254:

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Mark’s POV

I looked up from the man speaking when the door opened, and my assistant quickly walked in, his fast strides closing the space between us.

There was an apologetic look on his face and, might I say, also a happy one.

What exactly was making him happy? I thought, irritated. Another business deal? Another alliance or merger?

He apologized to me, then to the members of the meeting, before lowering himself until we were at the same height since I remained seated. He tapped on the screen of the phone he held up.

After Sydney left for Italy in search of her lover boy, my life had been nothing but work and taking care of Aiden. I threw myself more into work, not just because she wasn’t around, but because she had once again left for another man.

Aiden was the only cute, adorable, and concise reminder of her, so I made as much time as I could for him, especially since Grace was always busy these days.

𝗔𝘥𝗱𝗶𝘤𝘵i𝗏е 𝘀𝗍𝗼𝘳іe𝘴 o𝘯 𝘨a𝗹𝗻𝘰𝘷𝘦𝗹𝗌.cо𝘮

But since she went missing, even little Aiden could tell that something had changed. I no longer smiled. I always tried for Aiden but just couldn’t. Whenever I forced myself, I’d end up scaring Aiden with a smile that always brought tears to his eyes, so I stopped.

I became so cold that apart from Aiden and Grace, who had no choice, no one wanted to approach me or be around me for more than a couple of minutes. It was unfortunate that the people I worked with had to suffer through business meetings, talks, or instructions from me all the time.

Suspicion rose when we couldn’t reach Sydney after a month in Italy. Grace and I decided to wait one more month before filing a missing person report. That month was the longest month I’d ever lived through.

A month came, then another, and it became official: Sydney was either deceased or missing. I strongly held onto the latter and believed she would be found.

Now, back to my assistant. For him to have the guts to interrupt my meeting for a phone call, either his judgment was faulty or the call was invaluable.

I signaled for him to continue.

“Mr. Mark,” he started, “I just received a call from the embassy in Italy.”

My ears perked up, and I quickly sat up, not minding who was watching.

“They said Miss Sydney has been found and will shortly be on a flight back.” His voice trembled with excitement. He knew what this meant to me.

My heart jumped with excitement and happiness, and my long-lost smile reappeared. My assistant smiled too. I snatched the phone from his grasp and pressed it to my ear. “You’re speaking with Mark Torres, CEO of GT Group.”

They explained what my assistant had just told me in fuller detail, and I couldn’t stop my smile from widening. A wave of relief washed over me, knowing Sydney was alive and safe. All the anguish and torment I had endured these past months, thinking the worst had happened, drifted away. I felt reborn, like a new man.

“Thank you! Thank you so much for this news!” I said with vigor and enthusiasm, my grip on the phone tightening as emotions surged within me. I could scarcely believe this was reality and not some cruel dream that would dissipate upon waking. “I’ll be there shortly to pick her up. I can’t thank you enough.”

I hung up the phone and handed it back to my assistant with a brilliant smile and tears of joy in my eyes. I rose to my feet, and the other participants, looking confused but realizing something tremendous must have occurred, stood as well.

“The meeting is suspended,” I said with a laugh, already moving toward the door. “My apologies, everyone, but an urgent personal matter has arisen that requires my immediate attention. We’ll have to reschedule.”

I scarcely cared about decorum or professionalism in that moment. Sydney was alive! That was all that mattered. I rushed out with my assistant in tow, barking orders for my car to be brought around immediately.

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