Delete My Love for You novel Chapter 86

As he spoke, Charlotte was already striding toward the kindergarten gates.

Darren called after her, “Lottie! Don’t even think about slipping away in the chaos!”

Charlotte had no intention of leaving before the time was right.

She turned, her smile cool. “Mr. Harrington, I’m still earning my six-figure salary. Finding your son is just part of the job description.”

She entered the playground, joining the crowd as they searched. Her gaze swept the grounds, suddenly catching on an inconspicuous corner by some bushes.

The fallen leaves on the grass there were noticeably more disturbed than anywhere else.

She hurried over and nudged the leaves aside with her foot, spotting the edge of a rusted manhole cover—fresh scratch marks showed it had been pried up recently.

She grabbed a nearby staff member. “Did you have anyone work on the pipes here lately?”

The man stared at her, startled. “No, not at all!”

Darren appeared with more men, immediately sensing something was off. He barked, “Open it!”

A bodyguard set to work with tools, prying the cover free. A wave of earth and stale gas rolled out from below.

Inside, nothing but pitch-black darkness.

“I’ll go down and take a look,” Charlotte announced, moving to climb in—only for Darren to seize her wrist.

His brow furrowed. Her skin was burning hot.

He narrowed his eyes. “You have no idea what’s down there. What’s your plan—trying to run?”

Charlotte’s lips curled in a sardonic smile. “Mr. Harrington, why are you always so convinced I’m plotting an escape?”

Darren ignored her jab and turned to his security team. “You go down there!”

The head bodyguard hesitated, glancing at the cramped opening. “Sir, it’s too narrow. None of us can fit.”

Darren’s gaze swept over the round shaft—just wide enough for a child or a slender adult.

Darren glared into the black opening, then snapped, “Get the audio equipment down there. I want to hear everything.”

The bodyguards hurried to fetch a staff member, who lowered a long rod with a tiny microphone into the tunnel.

Underground, Charlotte flicked on her flashlight.

The tunnel walls were slick with moss and grime, her feet sinking into foul-smelling sludge. Every step forward was a struggle.

Ever since she’d left Sanctuary Chapel, a strange heat had been building in her body. She forced herself to push past the discomfort and focus.

“Noah Harrington! Are you down here?”

“Noah? Can you hear me?”

Her shout echoed through the tunnel. She paused, holding her breath.

The flashlight beam caught a small, shivering figure curled up ahead—it was Noah.