Chapter: 504

Nikolas scowled, clearly annoyed. Taking a deep breath, he approached a stranger and displayed a photo on his phone. “Have you seen this child?"

The stranger glanced at the photo and shook his head.

Nikolas continued to question another passerby.

He deeply regretted bringing Maddie to the hospital. He should wake the child and take him along.

With Nikolas keeping a close watch, no one would be able to take the child.

Nikolas had a growing suspicion that Rowan had not been taken by his family but by someone with hidden intentions.

Hold on...

Hidden intentions.

A thought suddenly struck Nikolas.

Maddie!

Who would least want Jonathan to have a child? Who would be most opposed to Jonathan meeting that child? Who had been the most active in reaching out before things went wrong?

It was her!

Nikolas quickly tried calling Maddie, but she didn't answer and disconnected the call.

Yet, for every call she ignored, Nikolas dialed again, persisting until she picked up, her voice dripping with irritation.

“I'm expecting a call! Can't you wait?"

"Isn't that what you always do when you call me?" This time, Nikolas lost his patience and went straight to the point. "Maddie, tell me, did you take that child?"

Maddie laughed in response. “What are you talking about? I've been with you the whole time. How could I possibly take that child? Split myself in two?"

"You must have had someone else do it. You lured me away from the hotel, then seized the chance to take the child."

"Nikolas, if you have such delusions, maybe you need to consult a doctor. Your story is well put together, but is it believable? You never told me which hotel you were in. How would I have known beforehand?"

Nikolas scoffed, "Do you think I'm that naive? Bates Group's software tracks locations, and it's easy to track a phone's location. If you wanted to find out, it wouldn't be technically difficult."

“So, no matter what I say, you're set on blaming me? How are you any different from Jonathan back then? I told him I didn't set up Bethany, but he wouldn't listen, and now you won't either. You and Jonathan both were my friends."

Maddie hadn't anticipated him accusing her so soon.

What shocked her even more was Nikolas caring so deeply about this issue.

Nikolas usually disliked children, always steering clear of them.