Chapter 267: Preparing the Wedding Gifts
Before coming over, Stark Arya had intended to buy gifts for Sophia's child. It was Colin who reminded her that she needed to buy three, as that's when she found out Sophia had triplets.
How impressive that was!
Stark Arya saw Sophia busying herself in the kitchen alone, and she nudged Colin.
"Go help in the kitchen. When you're a guest at someone's house, you should lend a hand."
Colin stood up and entered the kitchen.
But Sophia insisted on not letting him help and nudged him right back out.
Seeing her son's helpless expression, Stark Arya was exasperated. He had an opportunity and didn't even know how to seize it. Such a foolish son!
When the food was served, Stark Arya was taken aback by the spread, finding herself liking Sophia even more. Sophia had managed to make five dishes and a soup!
If it were her, she felt lucky to manage a soup.
"These are just some simple homemade dishes, Mrs. Arya, please don't mind."
"I don't mind, not at all," she responded. Stark Arya thought to herself: Who said divorced women are no good? Look at how capable this one is, her son had found a treasure alright. She even imagined that if her son married Sophia, she would not only be upgraded to a grandmother, but she would also get to enjoy delicious homemade meals regularly.
Stark Arya was inwardly thrilled, giving her son an encouraging look.
Colin just felt his mother was acting strangely.
"Mrs. Arya, I'm sorry that it's because of me that you're delayed in City B," Sophia had figured out that Stark Arya must also be subject to investigation, which was why she had to stay in the country.
Stark Arya's face turned stern: "What are you talking about, this isn't your fault at all."
Sophia chuckled playfully, "You and Mr. Colin are such good people, it feels just like you're family. Why don't you come over to my house for dinner with Mr. Colin while you're in B City these few nights?"
Stark Arya was tempted but felt the need to be polite, "That would be too much of a bother."
"It's no bother at all, I promise, I love having company, and it's no trouble to me," Sophia insisted, worried that Stark Arya might decline.
"Well, then, thank you."
During these days, Arya felt it was essential to have her son spend more time with Sophia; after all, once they returned to the States, the two of them would be long distance!
Stark Arya felt a sense of urgency as she had already set her heart on Sophia becoming her daughter-in-law.
"I haven't really explored B City yet; could you show me around this weekend when you're off work?"
"Of course, I'd love to!" enthused Sophia.
It looked like Mrs. Arya was pleased with her, and Sophia hoped to make a good impression and be chosen for an internship at Fusion Dynamics Corporation.
Colin was on the same page, wanting his mother to bond with Sophia so that they could develop a mother-daughter relationship.
Three people, each with their own thoughts. After the meal, Stark Arya and Colin took their leave.
"Grandma and Uncle Colin, be careful on your way home," Emma carefully reminded them.
Stark Arya was so taken with her sweet voice that she hugged her tightly.
A few minutes later, while Colin was driving, he asked his mother, "What do you think of those kids?"
"Smart, adorable, and sweet," Stark Arya felt that even those words weren't enough to describe them. She felt an instant closeness to them.
"Do you like them? Would you like them to be your grandchildren?" Colin prodded gently.
Stark Arya paused and chuckled to herself, thinking her son was already so eager.
"If I could have three grandkids as sweet and cute as them, I'd wake up smiling from my dreams," she mused.
Colin's lips curled up in a slight smile.
"Colin," Arya called out.
"Hmm?"
"You need to make those kids yours soon, then I can hold my grandchildren sooner."
"Don't worry, it won't be long now."
If his mother accepted Sophia as her goddaughter, he would effortlessly gain three nieces and nephews, the thought of which delighted him.
Before going to sleep, Stark Arya called her mother-in-law.
"Mom, you might be able to welcome great-grandchildren very soon."
Madam Jekyll was a bit confused, "Did Colin get a girlfriend?"
"He's really hitting it off with Sophia, I bet it won't be long before he brings her to meet you officially in the States, Mom. Do you think I should start preparing the cash gift?"
"Then you better start getting it ready. Oh, and buy some more property in City B. The young couple will surely come back here often."
"Got it, I'll have Colin look at some properties tomorrow."
The next day, when Stark Arya sent Colin to look at properties, Colin thought his grandmother wanted to invest in more real estate, especially since the Jekyll family had plans to move back to the country. Naturally, they would want to acquire more fixed assets. So, without asking further, he reached out to his contacts and proceeded.
In the tech park tower, a high-end office with black-and-white decor perfectly showcased its owner's personality.
Assistant Ken pushed the door and entered.
"Jake, we've caught that little rat that was on the run."
Jake Hughes sat in his leather office chair, dressed in a tailor-made black suit with gold-rimmed glasses, exuding a formidable aura.
"Where is he?" he asked, lips barely parting.
"In the warehouse."
Jake Hughes got up, and Ken drove them both to a warehouse on the outskirts of town.
About a dozen people were guarding the place, and as soon as Jake Hughes appeared, each of them stood up straight with a look of awe.
The door opened, letting light spill into the dark warehouse, and the hanging person squinted, unable to open their eyes fully.
"Mmmfh..." Their mouth was gagged.
A subordinate brought up a comfortable chair and placed it behind Jake Hughes, who then sat down, crossing his right leg over his left, slightly tilting his head as he twirled a ring on his left middle finger.
The Jake Hughes at this moment was the polar opposite of the sunny warmth he showed in front of Sophia.
If one had to describe him, the word would be — dark!
He glanced coldly at the man, who immediately felt a chill run through him.
"Mmmfh..."
With a look from Jake Hughes, someone stepped forward and removed the gag from the man's mouth.
"You all, who are you? What right do you have to grab me? You're breaking the law," the man yelled.
"Breaking the law?"
Jake Hughes chuckled at the remark as if it were a joke, then his gaze became sharp and menacing.
"Who sent you to kidnap those three kids?"
The man was startled, denying the accusation. "Kidnap? I haven't kidnapped any kids. You're slandering me."
"Hit him!"
Someone stepped forward and began punching the man repeatedly, his cries of agony echoing through the warehouse.
Ten minutes later, Jake Hughes asked again.
"I don't know who it is, we communicated by phone, and the other person used a voice changer."
"Continue."
The second round of the boxing match began.
"I really don't know, our cash transactions are all done through package delivery lockers..." the beaten man gasped out between breaths.
By the third round.
In just half an hour, the man was beaten to within an inch of his life.
"It's a woman. It was a woman," he managed to distinguish, which was not an easy feat under the circumstances.
But beyond that, he genuinely didn't know anything else.
The man passed out from the beating.
Ken asked, "What should we do with him?"
This wasn't like things operated in the States.
"Isn't the police looking for him?" Jake Hughes said indifferently.
At noon, everyone was eating their lunch boxes when someone noticed a burlap sack moving around in a corner outside.
When they opened it, a battered person rolled out.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
