Eric's heart thundered in his chest as he stood in the middle of the quiet changing area, the absence of Emelia weighing down on him like a lead curtain.
She had vanished—without a trace. His fingers tightened around his phone as he marched up to the front counter, eyes blazing.
"I need to speak to your manager. Now," he demanded, voice sharp enough to make the staff flinch.
A younger worker behind the desk looked startled.
"S-sir, is there a problem?"
"Yes, there's a problem! My partner, Emelia—she was here just a few minutes ago, and now she's gone. None of you seem to know where she went, and that's not just strange—it's suspicious."
A few other employees nearby exchanged nervous glances but said nothing.
Eric took a deep breath, trying to control the fury building inside him.
"Fine. Then let me see the backroom footage. She was taken—or she left with someone. Either way, I want to see it."
The girl's eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head.
