Maggie beamed a bright smile, "You got this!"
Sylvia's eyes crinkled with gratitude, "Thanks!"
*
In a quiet corner, Gabriel took the call, "What's going on?"
"Gab!" The voice on the line was serious, "We've hit a snag and had to let you know!"
Gabriel's voice remained steady, "Go ahead."
"Sean and one of Giles' men, Mario, got caught dealing arms on the side. Giles found out and nabbed both of them."
Gabriel frowned, "When did this happen?"
"Five days ago. We knew you were celebrating the New Year, so we held off telling you until now."
"What's the situation now?"
"Word is, Mario took a severe beating from Giles. Giles spared Sean because of you, but he's not releasing him or meeting with our people. He says he'll only talk to you in person."
Gabriel's expression turned icy, "I'm heading back tonight."
"We'll be waiting for you!"
After hanging up, Gabriel found Estelle and said,
"There's been a bit of trouble. I'm leaving for Tripe tonight. I'll stop by to say goodbye to Grandpa first, but I won't disturb everyone else while they're having fun."
Estelle was taken aback, "Is it that urgent? What happened?"
"Sean's in Giles' hands. It doesn't look good," Gabriel replied.
Estelle frowned, "Sean?"
Gabriel's face was resolute, "Don't worry. I'll get him out. If my people betray me, I'm the one who deals with them, not anyone else."
Jonathan, having overheard part of the conversation, walked over, "Need a hand?"
"No need!" Gabriel responded.
"Leaving tonight?"
The dim riverside light hid his rugged features in shadow, his expression unreadable, and he gave no reply.
Sylvia stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him, "Can you not leave me behind this time? Or take me with you?"
He stiffened slightly at her embrace.
Sylvia, voice breaking, continued,
"The first time you pushed me away, I was lost and didn't know how to go on. I didn't travel the world; I obsessively tracked your whereabouts, silently following wherever you went. At the slightest hint of your presence, I rushed over, only to hide myself, scared you'd notice."
His dark eyes, deep as the night, were aware of this all along, having spotted her a few times but pretended not to see her.
"The second time, when you left J City, I couldn't sleep for days. Agreeing to come to C City with Maggie was solely because I wanted to see you."
"This time, please don't leave me here alone!"
Sylvia looked up, clutching his shirt,
"Please, don't go. Don't give up on me again, okay?"

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Yea, so glad Mrs. Winters and Evelyn got caught. Thanks for the updates....
Yea,yea,yea so happy for Sylvia, Georgia and Gabriel. Thank you ... now for Evelyn....
Update 2842 isn't working, please fix it. Thank you for the updates....
Evelyn will MAFO that Jonathan has someone checking on her and the Winters family. I really do hope her scheme is revealed and she is put out of the Jarvis family. She's jealous and vindictive. Thank you for the updates....
Thank you for the updates. Update 2836 isn't working....
Update 2836 isn't working, please fix it. Thank you as always for the updates....
Is author planning to finally reveal Sylvia's true identity? 😍...
I wish that Gabriel would begin his pursuit of Sylvia. Thank you for the updates....
Update 2812 isn't working, please fix it. Thank you...
Waiting patiently for your updates. Thank you....