Chapter 15. Hope

Third-Person POV

“There is no need for panic, everyone,” Richard spoke, looking around at everyone, convincing himself that there was no alarm. It could be just one of those unavoidable mishaps. That Ellie could have been stuck in the office longer than she intended, and later on met with the city’s traffic, and probably her phone’s batteries died. Yes, that could be it. “I am sure Ellie will be here. Let’s just sit, listen to some music, mingle, and have drinks.” Richard smiled assuringly.

“Are you sure about your daughter, Richard?” His weak smile faded as he turned to Martha. The woman seemed to have made a pact with the devil to annoy him. “For all we know, she might have eloped to escape this. Didn’t you have a fight last night and this morning as well about this?”

“Shut up!” Richard warned between gritted teeth. “Ellie will never even think of defying me, Martha!”

Martha emitted a mocking, sinister glimmer, wiggling her head to challeng