Chapter 300

"Vanessa?" Isabella's heart skipped a beat when she saw that face, and it was as if a thread in her mind connected all her doubts together.

"So Emma sent the child to Emerald Isle City because Vanessa is here. Emma handed Sweetie over to Vanessa?" Isabella broke out in a cold sweat. She would rather Sweetie be with the Maximilian family than with Vanessa.

At least Maximilian and Mira genuinely cared for the child, but Vanessa? Given their past conflicts, Isabella couldn't imagine what Vanessa was thinking while holding Sweetie.

Meanwhile, at the Police Station...

The police were taking Peter's statement. "Peter, where's your wife?" the police asked.

Peter's eyes flickered, and he replied, "I don't know."

The police said, "You don't know? You're her husband, how could you not know?"

Peter replied, "I really don't know. Three days ago, we were at the hospital with the child. I went to fetch some hot water, and when I returned, she and the child were gone. I've been trying to contact her these past few days, but her phone is always off." Peter nervously rubbed his fingers, looking uneasy. "Could something have happened to her and the child?"

Vanessa and Sweetie had been missing for three days, and now the police were involved. It was hard to think positively.

The police asked, "No. We're just looking for her. Is your daughter's name Penelope Prescott?"

Vanessa said, "Yes."

The police asked again, "Is she your biological daughter?"

Peter was taken aback, then lowered his eyes and nervously rubbed his fingers. "I can't lie to you. Penelope is not my biological child. Vanessa was already pregnant before we got married. She said the child's father did something wrong and is no longer in this world. She didn't want to abort the child; she wanted to give birth and find a father for the child, to give her a complete family. I had my doubts, but her determination won me over. Later, we got married."

The police nodded, taking detailed notes of his words, then asked, "Do you have any photos of the child on your phone?"

"Yes, I do." Peter took out his phone and opened the photo album.

His album contained only three photos, all of Sweetie.

The police glanced at the photos, then got up and opened the doo. They handed the phone to Isabella and Sebastian, who were sitting outside.

The child in the photo was smiling, and Isabella recognized her immediately. "It's Sweetie!"

"Are you sure it's Sweetie?" Sebastian asked.

"Yes, I'm sure." Isabella's eyes welled up with tears. "I know my daughter."

Even though it had been months, Isabella still recognized her daughter Stella in the photo instantly.

Sebastian zoomed in on the photo, his gaze lingering on Sweetie with a tenderness that made him reluctant to even blink.

After Peter finished his statement and came out, Sebastian frowned, handed the phone back to Peter, and said coldly, "Send me my daughter's original photos."

"My daughter?" Peter was confused. "Didn't Vanessa say the child's father was dead?"

Sebastian frowned disdainfully, putting an arm around Isabella's shoulder. "I'm the child's father, and this is the child's mother. You believe Vanessa?"

Although Peter was confused, under the police's urging, he had no choice but to comply with Sebastian's request and send all the photos to Sebastian's phone.

Sebastian saved the original photos and looked at Peter with displeasure. "My daughter's photos can't stay on a stranger's phone. Delete them!"

Peter thought, 'Isn't this a bit much?' After all, he took the photos.

But before Peter could refuse, Sebastian had already taken the phone and deleted all the photos.

A police officer came over and said, "Mr. Prescott, if you manage to contact Vanessa, please let us know. We need her cooperation for an investigation regarding the child."

Peter was still confused, unable to make sense of the situation, but he nodded cooperatively. "Okay."

Then Peter left the police station and took a cab home.

Sebastian told Jack, "Have someone keep an eye on him."

Jack nodded. "Yes."

Isabella felt uneasy. "Will keeping an eye on him help? It seems Vanessa only sought him out to find a father for the child. If Vanessa is really hiding, she might not contact him."

"She will," Sebastian said confidently, "Vanessa has no one to rely on in Emerald Isle City. Peter is the only one who can help her. If Vanessa runs into trouble, she'll definitely reach out to him!"

Back at the hotel, Isabella took a shower. When she came out, she saw Sebastian standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, head down, eyes fixed on his phone screen, completely absorbed. He didn't even notice her approaching.

Isabella peeked over and saw that he was looking at Sweetie's photos.

"This is my daughter." Sebastian's finger gently caressed the screen, his eyes full of tenderness.

"Yes." Isabella leaned against him, also touching the screen. "Our daughter is really pretty."

Sebastian turned slightly to look at her. "She looks just like you."

Isabella smiled. "I think she looks like you."

Sebastian lowered his head and kissed her forehead. "Thank you, Bella."

Isabella looked up at him. "Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for coming into my life and for giving me such a lovely daughter," Sebastian said, turning to embrace Isabella. "Bella, with you and Sweetie, I'll never be alone again."

Isabella hugged him tightly. "Sebastian, you'll never be alone again. Sweetie and I will always be with you."

"Yes." Sebastian smiled, but a flicker of pain crossed his eyes.

Peter returned home, unable to focus on anything.

He called Vanessa dozens of times, but her phone was still off.

Tired of calling, he sat on the couch, staring blankly. He sat there until it got dark.

Peter got up and poured himself a glass of water. After drinking it, he continued to call Vanessa.

When the calls didn't go through, he sent messages.

Peter: [Vanessa, where are you? How is Penelope?]

Peter: [This afternoon, some police officers and a young couple came to our home. They said they are Penelope's biological parents. What's going on?]

Peter: [Vanessa, please call me back or send a text. I'm really worried about you two.]

Message after message went unanswered.

Meanwhile, on a cruise ship heading to Lakina, passengers were boarding. Vanessa, who was holding Sweetie, was among the crowd.