Gray quietly started the car again, his hands steady on the wheel. The headlights cut through the thick darkness, and the car slowly rolled forward along the empty countryside road.
Without needing to discuss it, he chose the direction back toward the mansion.
Lilith sat beside him, arms folded tightly, her face serious and focused.
Nova leaned forward from the backseat, his eyes scanning both sides of the road.
"If Ethan walked away from the picnic spot," Lilith said calmly, breaking the silence, "he would have gone the same direction we took while driving back. He's not a fool... he wouldn't lose the way so easily."
Gray gave a short nod, agreeing silently.
Ethan wasn't stupid. Even if he had been left behind, he would have followed the road leading back to the mansion. It was the only path that made sense, surrounded by dense forest on either side, the road was clear and straight.
The car moved slowly, the tires crunching over the small stones.
