Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)
Chapter 521

Without a doubt, after waiting for more than ten minutes, we saw Monique and Probert sprint back to the house as suspected. They didn't plan to waltz straight into the living room. Instead, they made a beeline for the back of the house through the hallway. I paused under my breath, "Stop right there, come on in!"

Monique hesitated, then lifted her foot as if to run again. This time I raised my voice, "Monique Dawson, I said come here!"

At the sound of her name, she faltered, looking sheepish, and reluctantly shuffled in. Covering from head to toe in dirt, she looked like a ragamuffin.

My eyes widened in shock, and I called out again, "Probert Dawson!"

Probert tried to hide behind Monique, attempting to shrink his presence as much as possible.

At the sight of them in the mud, I asked with clear annoyance, "Where have you been?"

After scanning the living room, Monique noted everyone was present, especially her grandmother. So she suddenly seemed emboldened, "We were just... looking at some books?"

I struggled to keep my anger in check. "And what sort of books leave you both covered in dirt?"

She batted her eyelashes innocently without a hint of hesitation, "Those old books we found out with Hannah the other day are all classics. Grandpa said he wanted to read them too, so Probert and I were just collecting them! We couldn't let Grandpa read dirty books, could we?"

Monique's explanation was confident and seemingly made sense, as if they had indeed been engaged in some noble task, even in the name of her grandpa.

Temporarily at a loss for words, I still felt something was off.

Hannah piped up, "Were you at the Wood Manor the whole time?" "Yep! We never left the Wood Manor!" Monique replied with conviction.

I exchanged a glance with Hannah, who seemed equally perplexed.

"Probert!" I called his name, fixing him with a scrutinizing gaze.

He mumbled something inarticulate before Monique yanked him out from behind her, "What's wrong with you? Mom's asking you a question. Tell her, were we at the Wood Manor or not?" Pushing him slightly from behind, which caused him to stumble forward, Probert said, "Yeah! We were at the Wood Manor!"

"Tell the truth!" I pressed.

"We were at the Wood Manor, Mom!" Probert insisted, but it was clear he wasn't as confident as Monique.

"Why didn't Hannah see you when she went looking?" I questioned, my eyes flitting between them.

"We were... collecting books, so we didn't see Aunt Hannah either!" Monique's tone still carried an edge of defiance.

I pondered for a moment, then softened, "Go clean up and come down for dinner."

Then, they bolted like pardoned prisoners, scampering faster than mice.

Not long after, they were back, cleaned up and sitting quietly at the dinner table, barely making a sound as they ate.

The atmosphere at table was tense. Camilla, whose child was missing, was eating without ease.

My mother and I were also uneasy. A child had disappeared on our watch, leaving us helpless and guilty.

Noticing Monique and Probert had barely touched their food, I asked, "Why aren't you eating? Worked up an appetite after a morning's labor, haven't you?"

Prompted by my words, they started eating more earnestly.

I eyed them, "Aren't you concerned about Fidelia's disappearance?"

Camilla's gaze sharpened with concern as she looked at them.

Monique straightened up and swallowed, glancing at Camilla, "Of course we're worried! But we don't know where she went either."

Probert didn't even look up and just kept shoveling food, trying to hide his anxiety.

"What are you planning to do after this?" I probed further.

Monique fumbled with her fork. Seeing that Probert remained silent, she finally spoke, "We have plans with Andrea Damon, to... to discuss a project for tomorrow!"

I watched them without a word, then finally said, "The police have been notified about Fidelia's disappearance. They're checking the streets as we speak. If you're heading over to the Damon family, make sure you come back early."

I had intended to ask them to join the search. However, at the sight of their expressions, I changed my mind. These little rascals were trying to pull the wool over my eyes. I was keen to see what they were really up to.