Chapter 240

William hesitated, words stuck in his throat.

The two of them stood there, silent and awkward.

Harper was having a blast, while Isaac, despite being exhausted, managed to keep up with the group. When they finally caught up, they noticed William and Christina standing apart, not saying a word to each other.

Isaac felt his efforts to create an opportunity for them were in vain.

Flyers were being handed out in the amusement park.

There was going to be a clown carnival show and fireworks that night. Harper, upon hearing this, excitedly suggested, "Let's stay and watch the fireworks before we go home!"

"That's a whole day. Can you handle it?" Christina asked her.

Harper patted her chest confidently. "Of course I can."

With Harper's enthusiasm, Christina had no choice but to agree.

Because of the kids, Christina and William managed to maintain a semblance of peace.

As night fell, the park lights came on, casting a colorful glow on the children's smiling faces, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere. Harper and Isaac were having the time of their lives at the carnival.

Clowns handed out candy.

Parades of fairy tale characters roamed the streets.

Harper was jumping with joy.

A staff member dressed as a fairy noticed her and took her hand. "Little fairy, would you like to join us?"

"Yes, yes!" Harper nodded eagerly.

The various fairy tale characters made her feel like she had stepped into a storybook, fulfilling her little girl dreams.

Christina, however, felt uneasy.

"She's still young, maybe not."

"It's okay, just for a few minutes," said a staff member dressed as Snow White, smiling warmly.

Harper tugged at her hand. "Please, Mom, let me go."

Seeing her daughter's pleading eyes, Christina relented. "Alright."

Harper was thrilled and immediately followed the staff member onto the parade float.

Christina quickly followed, and William, seeing this, trailed behind.

The parade moved quickly, and soon, after turning a corner, the float disappeared from view.

Christina ran to catch up, but when she finally reached the float, Harper was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Harper? Where's Harper?"

The float continued moving, ignoring her.

Christina shouted louder, but the fireworks and music drowned out her voice, making it almost impossible for anyone to hear.

William, carrying Isaac, caught up. "What's wrong? What happened?"

Christina was frantic. "Harper's gone! Someone invited her onto the float, and I agreed. But after turning a corner, she disappeared."

Her heart sank.

William rushed to the float, using his strength to stop it.

"Stop right now!"

The music stopped abruptly, and the surroundings fell silent.

Christina shouted again, "Harper, Harper, where are you?"

No response. It felt like Harper was playing hide and seek, but Christina knew Harper would never ignore her calls.

This meant Harper was either not on the float or unable to respond.

"Where did you take my child?" Christina demanded, her voice trembling with fear and anger.

No one answered. She frantically scanned the area but couldn't find the staff member who had taken Harper.

How could this be? She had clearly seen Harper and the staff member get on the float.

In the blink of an eye, they were gone.

William gently put his arm around her shoulders. "Don't worry, we'll call the police. I'll make sure the park gates are watched. No one will take Harper away."

Christina was on the verge of breaking down.

She clenched her teeth and called the police, her hands trembling uncontrollably. She forced herself to dial the number.

With a missing child, the carnival activities came to a halt. The police questioned the staff about the situation.

A staff member said, "We do invite children onto the floats, but it's dangerous, so we usually invite parents too."

"So, inviting a child alone is against the rules? Your staff wouldn't do that?" the officer asked.

The staff member nodded. "Yes, so maybe someone impersonated our staff and took the child."

Christina felt even more desperate.

If it was an imposter, finding Harper would be even harder.

William tried to comfort her. "Don't worry, I'm here. We'll find her."

Christina couldn't hear anything, her mind buzzing.

She didn't know if Harper was taken for ransom or revenge, but either way, Harper's situation couldn't be good.

The police quickly launched an investigation, reviewing the park's surveillance footage.

William mobilized his own people to search the park inside and out. Despite her anxiety, Christina tried to stay calm.

As time passed, the night grew darker, and the park lights seemed more somber. Christina's heart grew heavier. She didn't know where Harper was or if she was safe.

The police searched the park all day, finding almost nothing.

Visitors gradually left under police supervision, and the park emptied. The thorough search suggested Harper might have been taken out of the park.

Christina waited at the police station for news, but hours passed with no updates.

William urged her, "Christina, you've been at it all day. Go home and rest. I'll wait here."

"I'll stay," Christina replied coldly. "You're not her father. This is my responsibility."

"Even now, you still push me away?" William's heart ached.

"One thing at a time," Christina said calmly.

Just then, an officer reviewing the footage made a discovery. "Two staff members took a bag of trash to a garbage truck and left the park. The park's trash schedule doesn't match this time."

The detective rushed over. "Check that truck immediately!"

Christina's emotions surged, and she stood up.

Could the black bag contain Harper? Was she unconscious or drugged?

Dark thoughts filled her mind, spiraling out of control.

The police searched all day.

The garbage truck was last seen at a landfill.

When the police found it, the truck was empty.