Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2334

Emily took a deep breath, her voice steadying as she nodded, "I know. It's on me too. I should've kept a closer eye on Kya."

Estelle frowned, "At the Lamont's, everyone let their guard down!"

No one could have anticipated Susanna stooping so low.

Estelle, trying to lighten the mood, said to Kya, "I just made a hammock in the backyard. Wanna go play?"

Kya, still a child at heart, was easily cheered up. She broke into a smile and reached out for Estelle to hug her.

Emily spoke up, "I'll give Charlie a call. He's out looking for Kya too."

"Alright," Estelle replied, taking Kya to play on the hammock.

*\*

Emily didn't tell Charlie over the phone about Susanna's bullying, but when Charlie found Kya, the marks on her neck spoke volumes, darkening his mood instantly. "What happened to Kya's neck?"

Estelle filled him in about Susanna.

Charlie was livid, his face turning ice cold as he handed Kya back to Emily and turned to leave.

"Charlie!" Emily called out after him, worry lacing her voice.

"Charlie!"

Magdalen also approached, her expression saying it all, "I've already given Susanna a piece of my mind. If you go now, you'll just be adding a few slaps to the punishment. I've handled it."

Charlie, fury bubbling in his chest, demanded, "Why would an adult bully Kya?"

"It's probably because she doesn't like me, so she took it out on Kya," Emily speculated.

Magdalen scoffed, "She probably got a reality check from Mr. Foster and decided to vent on Kya."

"On my daughter?" Charlie's eyes were cold as ice, "Fine. We'll see if Susanna can handle the consequences, or if the Murphys can!"

The team leader's voice shook, "I'll have the team work overtime. We'll have it ready by the 15th!"

Months ago, Charlie had tasked them with developing a satellite tracking chip accurate to the millimeter, with a user-friendly app for live location updates and photos. The chip needed to be as thin as a cicada's wing, invisibly adhering to the skin, waterproof, shockproof, and completely harmless to human health.

After Charlie's outburst, he took a moment to calm down before returning to Kya, his heart still aching at the sight of the marks on her neck. "Were you scared?"

If Estelle hadn't shown up, and if Susanna had truly lost her mind, the thought was unbearable.

Kya, leaning on his shoulder, reassured him with her tender voice, "I knew Daddy would come to save me!"

Charlie's guilt deepened, "But Daddy didn't find you immediately."

"I won't wander off again," Kya promised sweetly. "If I stay with Daddy, you'll always find me."

Charlie's voice caught in his throat, "Daddy will always stay by your side."

Kya, comforting him in return, patted his back, "With Daddy here, no one can bully me!"