Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 1316

Phelps paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"The Sanders family's youngest daughter is an imposter. Augus entrusted Ian to help find the real girl, and now that Ian's gone, the job of finding this little princess has fallen to me."

He looked down, casually pulling out a cigarette and offering it to Phelps.

As Phelps reached out to take it, Fitch narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Phelps, we've known each other for years, and I never knew you smoked."

Phelps chuckled, lighting the cigarette with a practiced ease and placing it between his lips.

"Picked up the habit overseas, just an occasional thing since the surgery."

Fitch lit one up himself, his gaze heavy with concern.

"Being a doctor is indeed exhausting. Seems like you barely get any break, and when a patient dies on the operating table, their family can cause quite a scene at the hospital. Hassle."

"Have you picked up any leads on the Sanders family's girl?"

"Tough as nails. It's a two-decade-old case. The lady of the house was pregnant and got separated from Augus. When she showed up again, she was cradling a daughter and immediately headed back to North America with Augus. All records, gone. I can't shake the feeling that she's at the heart of this, but Augus doesn't seem keen on stirring the pot."

Phelps' expression remained neutral. As a doctor, high society gossip was the least of his concerns.

Fitch shared with him because they were friends, and Phelps was tight-lipped by nature. His social media was squeaky clean, reserved for his close friends.

Phelps flicked his cigarette into the trash.

Fitch still wasn't comfortable seeing him smoke and offered another one.

"Have another. I'll have a word with Tyler about your smoking later."

Phelps pushed the cigarette back.

"One's enough. I'll be at the hospital if you need me for anything."

Fitch nodded, finishing his smoke and taking his leave.

His subordinate followed closely. As they sat in the car outside the hospital, Fitch considered calling Ian's team.

But it had been less than three days since Ian and Eric were forced abroad. The higher-ups were still monitoring his communications.

Rubbing his temples, Fitch felt the weight of an unprecedented challenge.

Looking at the cigarette pack, he suddenly ordered, "Investigate all hospitals within a 300-mile radius where the Sanders lady was last seen."

The subordinate circled a region on the computer.

"Sir, the area is marked. It covers several towns."

Fitch leaned back, gazing through the sunroof.

"Dig deeper. Check for any mass resignations within the hospitals around two decades ago. Narrow down our search."