Joyce gasped again. "I can't believe so many things have happened. If you say that you've lost contact with Mr. Shane, does that mean you don't know whether he's dead or alive?"

Natalie fell silent for a moment. "That's right, but I think that he's still alive. That's why I'm planning to head home tonight to look for him."

Regardless of whether Shane was dead or alive, she had to replace him and bring him home.

Joyce nodded. "I know you well. It's not surprising that you'd want to go back home to look for him after what happened. So, the reason for you to quit the competition is the premature labor and this, right?" Indeed, the one who knew her best-other than Shane and the two kids-was her best friend, Joyce.

Natalie pursed her lips. "Yes. The organizers have agreed to it, and Mr. Campbell has done the necessary arrangements for me to go back. My mentor came to visit me last night too. After replaceing out what happened, she agreed to let me quit as well."

"Then, Lina and Sally..."

"They've agreed with it too, and they've given me their support. Nevertheless, I owe them a favor. Once I replace Shane, I'll make it up to them," Natalie mumbled guiltily.

Joyce sighed. "There's nothing we can do but this. I'm sure that you'd say yes to giving up on the competition if the same were to happen to them."

Natalie smiled, a silent agreement.

"What about the baby? Is the baby still with us?" Joyce asked.

The very thought of her youngest son in the incubator made pain rip through Natalie's chest, stealing her breath away.

"The baby's alive but will have to stay in the incubator for a few months."

"It's normal for premature babies to be in the incubator. Everything's good as long as the baby's alive. I'm sure the baby will be healthy eventually. By the way, is it a boy or a girl?" Joyce asked with a chuckle. "A boy," Natalie answered.

"Good, good. A boy's good. Sharon will have another guardian by her side," Joyce hummed out.

"Exactly," Natalie agreed as she glanced at the two children on the couch.

The two then chatted for a while longer before ending the call.

Not long after the call ended, Stanley called.

However, as Shane was not on good terms with him, Natalie only told him that she had to quit the competition because of her premature labor.

Stanley did not ask about Shane either, so the call ended rather quickly.

At night, as Sally, Lina, and Sharon sent them off, Natalie, Silas, and Connor boarded the plane back home.

By the time they reached their destination, it was the next morning.

Without pausing, Natalie headed straight to Mrs. Wilson, who was in the hospital.

Mrs. Wilson was one of the people who knew that Shane was missing, for the person in charge had told her about it.

That was why Mrs. Wilson had been engulfed by guilt for the past few days. She felt that if not for her injury, Shane would not have gone home and therefore, would not have gone missing. If he had not gone missing, then Natalie would not have given birth to the premature baby.

Hence, the moment Mrs. Wilson saw Natalie, she began apologizing.

Natalie quickly helped her up and said, "Mrs. Wilson, this isn't your fault, so don't feel guilty about it. There's no need for you to bear the blame for this. This is Sean and the others' fault."

"She's right, Mrs. Wilson. This has nothing to do with you," Connor chimed in.

However, their words only served to make the guilt in Mrs. Wilson's heart grow.

It took Natalie a long time before she could calm Mrs. Wilson down.

After Mrs. Wilson went to sleep from exhaustion, Natalie brought Connor back to Thompson villa.

"Madam, you and Connor didn't get to rest well on the plane, so it's best if you rest for a while before we start looking for Mr. Shane. After Sean came here the last time, Mr. Shane has tightened the security of this place. You and Connor can rest without worrying," Silas said to Natalie after putting down their suitcases.

Natalie nodded. "All right. Thank you, Mr. Campbell."

י

"It's nothing. I'll take my leave first then." With that, Silas turned to leave.

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