Chapter 268

The moment Amy Bright left, the frail-looking old woman instantly transformed, her voice strong and clear as she cursed, "That little brat is sharper than I thought."

Had Amy known the truth, she would have broken out in a cold sweat.

"Has anyone seen my grandson?" the old woman suddenly shrieked.

The crowd waiting for the bus exchanged uneasy glances.

"The child is missing?"

The old woman clutched her chest, tears streaming down her wrinkled face. "I only went to buy soy sauce, and when I turned around, he was gone!"

Amy's heart lurched. There really were kidnappers in town—she had nearly fallen into their trap.

"Report it to the police station!" someone urged. "Didn't Emily say last year that if you encounter kidnappers, you must report it immediately? If you wait, the child might never be found!"

Several women gasped. Back then, they had thought Emily was exaggerating.

"Yes, yes, go find the police!"

"We'll help too!"

The small police station was soon flooded with over a dozen people. The officer on duty quickly organized a search party.

"It's getting dark. We should head back to the village."

"Mrs. Zhang, we're leaving now."

Mrs. Zhang collapsed onto a bench, her voice hoarse. "Tell my ungrateful sons..."

Regret gnawed at her. She never should have given in and brought her grandson to town.

On the way back, the women couldn't stop talking.

"Emily was right—there really are kidnappers!"

"You can't just let a child have their way when they beg to go to town."

"Mrs. Zhang must be sick with regret."

"Her youngest son and his wife will never forgive her."

Amy's heart pounded. If she hadn't remembered Emily's warning, she might have been the one missing.

As soon as the ox-cart reached the village, she sprinted straight to Emily's house.

"Emily! Emily!"

Emily had just finished handing out jelly to the two boys when she heard the urgent shouts outside.

"Keep doing your homework," she told the children before going to open the door.

Amy rushed into the yard, her face pale. "Emily, Mrs. Zhang—the one who went to town with me today—her grandson was kidnapped!"

The two boys looked up from their writing.

"Who was taken?"

"Tutu!" Amy cried.

David gasped. "Mom, that's the chubby kid who always follows me around calling me 'boss'!"

Tommy remembered too. "He came to our house asking for candy!"

Emily pictured a round-faced little boy who would sweetly call her "Auntie" and refuse to leave without a treat.

"If he was really kidnapped..." Her brow furrowed. "It might be a long time before he's found."