Chapter 3 Maternal Love
Alaric's face went pale in an instant. "What did you just say?"
"Mr. Caspian Knight is missing. We've searched the whole hospital and can't find him!" Joe's voice shook with fear.
"This meeting is over." Alaric's cold words hit like a bombshell, and he walked out directly.
The conference room fell into stunned silence; everyone exchanged confused glances, unsure of what to do next.
At the hospital, in the surveillance room.
"Mr. Knight, look at this." He pointed at the screen, his voice trembling.
On the screen, Caspian was being led away by Galatea.
"Call the cops." Alaric's voice was icy, devoid of warmth.
In a small, cozy restaurant, the aroma of food filled the air, and the place buzzed with chatter, brimming with a homely atmosphere.
Caspian followed Galatea, sitting in a corner, enjoying this rare moment of relaxation.
"Why the sudden craving for sweets today?" Galatea felt something was off with Harry, but her eyes were still filled with affection.
Caspian looked at the table full of dishes, feeling a bit lost.
It was his first time not having to face those meticulously prepared but soulless meals.
As Caspian watched Galatea feed Elisa, a longing flickered in his eyes—a longing for motherly love.
"Mommy," he called softly, his voice tender.
Galatea's heart melted instantly, as if surrounded by a warm current.
"What's wrong, Harry?"
"Good boy." She reached out and gently stroked Caspian's head.
She added a piece of meat to Caspian's plate.
He felt the warmth of a mother's love again, slowly thawing his cold heart.
Caspian picked up his utensils, speared a piece of meat, and put it in his mouth, savoring it.
It was his first time tasting such delicious food, bringing him an unprecedented sense of happiness.
He devoured the food, a satisfied smile spreading across his face, like a happy little kitten.
Suddenly, a commotion broke the warm atmosphere.
A group of police officers stormed into the restaurant, surrounding Galatea's table.
"Freeze! Police!"
Galatea was stunned, completely unaware of what was happening.
"What are you doing?" she asked in terror, her voice shaking.
"You're suspected of child abduction. Come with us!" The officer's voice was cold and authoritative.
Caspian saw this and jumped up, his face turning red.
"She's my mommy!" he shouted, his voice sharp and filled with anger.
The police ignored him and roughly took Galatea away.
Caspian tried to follow, but the officers blocked him. He could only watch helplessly as Galatea was taken away.
"Let me go! I want my mommy!" He struggled and cried, his voice hoarse.
Alaric approached, standing tall and imposing before Caspian.
"Come home with me," he said coldly, his voice devoid of emotion.
"No!" Caspian glared at Alaric, his eyes filled with anger and hatred. "Why did you take my mommy?"
"She's not your mommy." Alaric's voice remained icy, without any warmth.
"She is!" Caspian screamed, tears streaming down his face. "Why are you lying to me? Why are you stopping me from seeing my mommy? You're a bad person!"
Alaric felt a sharp pain in his heart as he looked at his son.
"I'm not lying to you." He knelt down to meet Caspian's eyes, speaking slowly and clearly. "Your real mommy is Orion Nash."
"I don't want Orion!" Caspian screamed, his emotions running wild. "She's not my mommy! She's a liar! She doesn't love me! She only hits me and yells at me!"
Alaric's heart sank. He knew his son had reached his breaking point with Orion.
"Caspian, listen to me..." Alaric tried to explain, his voice softening.
"I don't want to hear it!" Caspian covered his ears as he cried loudly, his body shaking violently.
Alaric sighed in defeat, knowing that nothing he said would help now.
"Alright." He conceded, his voice weary. "I won't force you to see Orion."
"But you have to come home with me and take your medicine." Alaric's gaze was firm.
"I won't take it!" Caspian stubbornly stared at Alaric, his eyes full of defiance.
"If you take your medicine, I'll have the police release Galatea." Alaric offered a bait.
Caspian hesitated, looking at Alaric with doubt and struggle in his eyes.
"Do you promise?" His voice trembled, uncertain.
"I promise." Alaric's voice was resolute, leaving no room for doubt.
At the police station, in the interrogation room, Galatea sat on a cold chair, her hands cuffed.
"Officer, I'm innocent," she explained anxiously, her voice shaking. "That child is really my son. I didn't abduct him."
"Your son?" The officer sneered, his eyes full of disbelief. "How could your son have the last name Knight? Do you think we're fools?"
Galatea was stunned, unsure how to explain.
"I really am his mother." She took out her phone, showing a photo to the officer. "Look, this is a picture of me with him."
Within the photograph, Galatea cradled a diminutive boy and girl; their countenances radiated joyous contentment, the tableau exuding an atmosphere of tender affection and familial warmth.
The officer examined the photo, then conducted a technical comparison. His expression changed as he looked at Galatea again.
"The photo is real, and the kids do resemble you," he returned the phone, his tone softening. "But that doesn't prove the child is yours. Many people look alike."
Galatea panicked. If she couldn't prove it, she'd be treated as a kidnapper!
"Officer, I can do a DNA test!" she said urgently.
"A DNA test?" The officer raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
The interrogation room door suddenly opened, and a young officer entered.
"Sir, Mr. Knight is on the phone." He handed the phone to the interrogating officer.
"Mr. Knight?" The officer was stunned, taking the call.
After a few words, his expression changed dramatically.
"Yes, Mr. Knight. Don't worry, we'll release her immediately." He nodded repeatedly, quickly unlocking Galatea's handcuffs.
"Ms. Hartley, I must offer my sincerest apologies for the unfortunate misunderstanding," he articulated with an affable countenance, his demeanor transforming remarkably.
Galatea rubbed her wrists, still a bit dazed.
"Mr. Knight said you're a friend of his child," the officer said, his tone teasing. "Seems like you have quite a special relationship."
Galatea ignored him, only wanting to leave quickly and find her son.
"Can I go now?" she asked.
"Of course." the officer nodded, bowing. "You're free to go."
Galatea left the police station, breathing a sigh of relief.
She suddenly realized that if she had brought the Knight family's child, Caspian, where was Harry?
She took out her phone and quickly dialed Harry's number, but no one answered. She was very worried. Could something have happened to Harry?