Regretting the Wife He Threw Away novel Chapter 232

At Quentin’s words, his brow furrowed. He glanced at Cedric Clarke. “What do you think?”

Cedric looked utterly grim, panic twisting his features—his mind was whirling with worry.

Regret gnawed at him. He never should have left Stella alone.

“I’ve already called my family,” Cedric said, voice tense. “There’s no surveillance in a place this remote. If we want to find her as quickly as possible, we need to bring in a professional search-and-rescue team.”

Quentin nodded in agreement. “That’s the right call. Let’s keep looking for now. If there’s still no sign of her by sunrise, we’ll call the police.”

“No one’s searched the woods out back yet. The rescue team will take some time to get here—I’ll start looking myself.”

“Dr. Clarke,” Quentin stopped him, his tone grave. “It’s still raining. Heading into the hills now is reckless, and there are wild animals in those woods after dark—”

“I don’t care!” Cedric shoved past him, frustration flaring. “If you’re scared, stay here. I’m going.”

Quentin sighed, grabbing a raincoat. “Then I’m coming with you.”

Cedric didn’t respond. He yanked up his hood and disappeared into the downpour, running toward the woods—

They searched the entire night, but found nothing.

Dawn began to creep across the horizon, rain finally giving way to a pale, watery sunlight that filtered through the trees. The air was heavy with moisture.

The muddy path was trampled beyond recognition by anxious, searching feet.

One by one, everyone straggled back to the village leader’s house, shoulders slumped, faces drawn with worry.

Still, there was no sign of Stella.

…

At Silveridge, on the set of the promotional shoot.

It was ten in the morning by the time Briony finished her last shot.

She thanked each of the teachers and crew, then hurried straight to the dressing room.

As soon as she was alone, she pulled out her phone.

Stella still hadn’t replied to any of her messages since last night.

Briony tried calling again, but every attempt went straight to voicemail—no signal.

The reception was always spotty out there—this wasn’t the first time. But Briony couldn’t shake the knot of worry in her chest.

She dialed Stella’s number again.

Still nothing.

Her eyelid twitched with nervousness.

Then her phone buzzed—an incoming call.

It was Cedric Clarke.

Briony’s unease spiked. Dread crept in as she pressed the answer button, her voice stiff. “Dr. Clarke?”

On the other end, Cedric’s voice was ragged. “Dr. Joyner is missing.”

Briony’s breath caught. The phone slipped from her shaking hands and clattered to the floor.

…

Stewart was in the middle of filming when his phone vibrated—Carl was calling.

Carl knew Stewart’s schedule down to the minute; he wouldn’t call unless it was urgent.