Chapter 294

Harrison pulled up Evelyn's last known location on his encrypted tracking app.

The signal had died precisely fifty-three minutes ago - deep within the mine's perimeter.

"Expand the search," he commanded. "She's still here. Don't return without her."

His next call summoned Dominic Kingsley.

Within thirty minutes, the sky roared with approaching helicopters. Dominic and Julian arrived with a specialized extraction team, their fleet of private aircraft painting an impressive display against the dusk sky.

Even Geoffrey, accustomed to corporate extravagance, gaped at the military-grade response. Who exactly was Evelyn Carter?

Dominic's operatives moved with lethal precision, deploying search dogs and advanced scanning equipment.

After a rapid briefing, the three men exchanged grim nods, dividing sectors without needing words.

"Julian," Dominic ordered, "take Team Two and sweep a five-mile radius from the mine's center."

Julian moved instantly to execute the command.

But Dunhill's sparse surveillance infrastructure made their task infinitely harder than in Pamore.

After combing the designated area, they reconvened empty-handed.

Harrison's composure cracked. "Where the hell is she?"

Geoffrey hesitantly approached. "We've searched everywhere except... the active mining shafts."

Harrison's eyes blazed with renewed determination. "Then that's where we're going."

Geoffrey physically blocked his path. "Those tunnels are unstable! Without proper training-"

Dominic shouldered past him. "We're going."

Julian's expression turned deadly. "I'll burn Dunhill to the ground if that's what it takes."

Stunned into silence, Geoffrey could only watch as the three prepared to descend.

After analyzing the search patterns, Dominic concluded, "No trace within five miles means she didn't leave. She's down there."

Harrison changed into protective gear and rappelled into the shaft first, followed closely by Dominic and Julian.

The labyrinthine tunnels twisted dangerously, oxygen growing thinner with each descent. One wrong step could send them plunging into darkness.

Yet they pressed forward without hesitation, calling Evelyn's name until their voices grew hoarse.

Eight shafts searched. Eight dead ends.

Ten hours since her disappearance, the exhausted trio emerged under cover of night, their usually impeccable appearances reduced to dust-covered exhaustion.

"Mr. Whitmore, Mr. Kingsley," a security officer reported, "we've found nothing in eight shafts. Could she have-"

Julian cut him off. "Our network has every exit covered for ten miles in every direction. She didn't leave."