The Unwavering Heart That Broke (Nathalie and Lance) novel Chapter 575

Nathalie nodded. "Let's eat first, and then I'll give her a call to check in."

Adelaide didn't press the issue any further.

After dinner.

The staff helped Adelaide outside for a walk to digest her food. Nathalie stayed behind and dialed Sophia's number.

Ring... Ring... Ring...

The line rang three times without an answer.

Nathalie's delicate brow furrowed, a hint of confusion washing over her beautiful features.

Why wasn't she picking up?

Just as the call was about to drop, someone finally answered.

"Hello? Who is this?" a gruff, impatient male voice barked through the speaker.

In the background, muffled and chaotic, Nathalie could hear the distinct sound of Sophia sobbing.

Nathalie shot up from her seat, her expression turning ice-cold. "Who are you? Where is Sophia?"

"Why don't you tell me who you are to her first?" the man shot back, his tone sleazy and arrogant.

Nathalie didn't waste another breath. She immediately hung up the phone.

She dialed Nicol, instructing him to track Sophia's current location.

She sat back down, waiting in tense silence.

Minutes ticked by. Half an hour later, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen, expecting it to be Nicol, but to her surprise, the caller ID read 'Sophia.'

"Hello?"

Nathalie answered, her voice guarded.

"Nathalie... it's me," Sophia's voice came through, still thick with lingering sobs.

Nathalie frowned slightly. "Sophia, what happened earlier? Where are you right now? Are you safe?"

Sophia nodded, and as she turned around, she spotted Nathalie. "Nathalie..."

Nathalie stepped forward and wrapped her in a hug. "Go take a hot shower and get something to eat. I'll come check on you in a bit."

Sophia nodded.

She bowed to Freddy one last time before hurrying into the house.

Nathalie turned her complex gaze toward Freddy. "What were you doing near The Nightfall Bar?"

Freddy raised an eyebrow slightly. "A friend of mine opened a noodle shop over there. I was grabbing dinner."

He paused, pulled out a business card, and handed it to her. "Here's the address. If you don't believe me, you can have someone look into it. I have no reason to lie to you."

Nathalie looked down at the card in his hand. Al's Eatery, complete with contact info and an address.

She stayed silent for a moment before finally saying, "Thank you for bringing her back."

Seeing that she wasn't going to take the card, Freddy slowly lowered his hand. "If you ever have the time, you should check it out. The broth is fantastic."