Chapter 2

Rainbow Haven was a private preschool, not very large.

It consisted of three two-story buildings, with two small playgrounds in the front and back for the children to play freely.

The day Lily disappeared, I searched every inch of that preschool, inside and out. But there was no sign of her.

I asked Ms. Albright to check the surveillance footage, but she claimed the cameras were broken.

What a coincidence. I suspected the principal was involved in my daughter's disappearance.

Later, I secretly snuck into the monitoring room myself. I watched the footage several times, meticulously, and finally confirmed it: Lily had never left the preschool.

But where could she be within the preschool? I racked my brain, completely baffled.

Officer Miller tried to pacify me from outside. "We've already sent people to search. You have to trust the police."

But I knew he didn’t believe a word I said.

The police had searched the preschool several times initially, but they hadn't found even a shadow of my daughter.

Outside, the parents' uncontrollable shouts and pleas merged into a chaotic din, making me uncontrollably agitated.

"What does your kid going missing have to do with us? If you're so tough, kidnap the principal! What good is kidnapping kids?"

"W-w-w, please release my daughter. She's so timid and not well. I'm begging you on my knees..."

A mother knelt outside the police tape, covering her face, looking utterly pitiful.

The crowd's anger surged, demanding the police shoot me.

I picked up the megaphone, ensuring everyone could hear my voice. "I don't want to kill anyone. I just want to know where my daughter is."

I checked the time. Twenty-five minutes left. Detectives and SWAT had arrived. Snipers might already be in position.

I took a deep breath. "Ms. Albright, you know, don't you? Where's my daughter?"

All eyes turned to Ms. Albright, huddled in a corner.

She gritted her teeth, retorting, "How could I possibly know?! Ms. Lee, stop snapping at everyone like a mad dog!"

"Your daughter might have just run away from home. Maybe she went to find her dad..."

Then, as if a thought struck her, she blurted, "Her ex-con dad must be out of prison by now, right? I bet he’s the one who took your girl!"

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