Chapter 470 Oscar's Clue
"We found the black car used in his kidnapping in Trento City.”
“It's highly likely Oscar is there, being held captive.”
“We found his fingerprints in the car, along with some incomplete prints of another adult. I’m having the police run a comparison now."
"A piece of fabric was also found, certain it was ripped off the clothing of one of the kidnappers by Oscar!" Lawrence explained as he scrutinized the fragment clearly, with both Winnie and Sidney leaning in to look closely.”
Deep in concentration, Lawrence said, “the texture looks like it’s from a woman's clothing; it could be Darcy’s, "If that's the case, then this clue might not lead us too far, considering Oscar is no longer with Darcy."
Winnie zoomed in on the fabric and suddenly asked, "What if it's not Darcy's? Does she usually wear embroidered clothes like this?"
"I never paid attention," Lawrence recalled, realizing he couldn't remember Darcy's typical attire; he'd never been interested in her fashion.
Winnie snorted coldly at his response. "And you were together for three years."
Lawrence gave her a chilling stare but ignored her sarcasm.
Winnie frowned, undeterred. "Regardless, if Oscar left this for us, he must've believed it's an important lead. He’s a sharp one! I'm convinced there's more to this fabric. Could we dig into the material, the craftsmanship, or maybe the pattern?"
"The embroidery is unique, Mom," Sidney commented, his observant eyes fixated on the design. "I haven't seen such a style anywhere else, but it seems so familiar..." he murmured, puzzled.
"Where have you seen it before?" queried Lawrence, leaning forward.
Sidney's mind went blank. "I can't place it, but it struck a chord the moment I saw it."
"Take your time, think it through," Winnie encouraged, then looked back at Lawrence. "Whenever you're in Lymington, maybe you could ask Darcy about the fabric?"
"I’m heading to Lymington in a couple of days," Lawrence replied with a furrowed brow, just as his phone began to ring.
Caller ID flashed: Ishara.
Both Sidney and Winnie paused abruptly. Following a brief hesitation, Sidney pursed his lips – the previously softened atmosphere due to Oscar’s whereabouts, grew cold instantly.
Lawrence straight-up rejected Ishara's call!
"A mistress calling this late? Humph!"
Winnie watched her son's actions in silence, her thoughts drifting away as if a gust of wind had somehow chilled her heart.
Lawrence cast a sharp glance at her, a trace of stiffness crossing his handsome face. The congeniality of their discussion was shattered in an instant by a single call, and the air seemed to fragment, plunging them into silence.
His lips tightened as he fought the impulse to return the call; yet as if on cue, the phone began to ring again...
- The Blanchet Family.
At nine o'clock, beneath the thick veil of night, Ishara paid a visit to Peter before taking a ride from the Blanchet family's back hill, to the front-yard mansion.
She stepped into her bedroom, still wearing her gloves.
Eleanor waited in her room, faintly detecting a hint of blood on her daughter's gloves.
Her eyes flickering, Eleanor closed the doors tight and asked in a hushed tone, "Ishara, did you go to...?"
"Mm, it's taken care of."
"It had to be done. Being holed up in the house, one tends to have restless nights. And with Sidney searching the Blanchet resident today, we certainly couldn’t leave him..."
At Ishara's light cough and glance, Eleanor bit back the rest of her words.
"Mom, why didn't things go as planned today? It was such a good opportunity." Frustration creased Ishara’s brow.
Eleanor slapped her thigh. "I had every detail figured out, but that incompetent Larissa failed. A five-year-old girl couldn't even drown a toddler. I was livid. The worst part is, I stirred up trouble without getting results.
That tramp Winnie is suspicious of me, so she’s been whispering to Kathy, Amy, and even your father, making insinuations about me!
Your dad confronted me today, said he’s thinking about a divorce!"
Ishara's expression flickered. "Did father really say that? You and he have been married for over twenty years..."
"Hah, what does that matter? He's still hung up on Irene!
It's all because of Winnie. If she hadn't come back, your father wouldn’t be constantly reminded of that old flame.
Winnie's causing chaos, fooling your father because she wants a piece of the Blanchet fortune. Her ambition is as clear as day.
As long as she alive, she'll take your dad, and Lawrence R, away from us. I can't stand her for another day!
I talked to your uncle today. He's got connections, knows some tough characters—he said he'll handle it..."
Eleanor snapped her fingers in a sinister gesture.
Ishara's eyes narrowed, and she unfolded her handkerchief, tracing the pattern and smiling. "That would indeed save me some trouble. Once I secure that 4% stake in the company, you can make your move."
"Right!" Eleanor’s body seethed with fury. Gazing at her beloved daughter, a chill crossed her heart.
If Carlos was indeed considering divorce, she had to start looking out for herself and Ishara—especially since, if Carlos ever found out Ishara wasn't actually...
Eleanor’s grip tightened.
After years of scheming with that man, Ishara had to take control of the Blanchet family. Carlos couldn't hold Eleanor responsible for being merciless if he was still thinking about leaving anything to Winnie.
Ishara stared at her phone with coldness in her eyes as the call was disconnected.
"Did Mr. Rodriguez pick up his son with Winnie this afternoon?" she asked her mother.
"Didn't he have dinner with you?" Eleanor let out a slight frown. "Winnie must have intentionally seduced him to stay back. Ishara, you can't let them spend too much time together as a family of three. Now with her son around, it's easy for them to bond."
With a cold smirk, Ishara retorted, "I have a way to bring Mr. Rodriguez back," and redialed the number.
-
Lawrence stepped away to take Ishara’s call, listening to her rapid coughs and her plaintive voice, "Lawrence, the doctor just checked my blood pressure, and it's not good. It's already ten o'clock, won't you come and see me? The doctor prescribed this herbal tea for me, but I can't drink it without you, and I can’t seem to calm my heartbeat. I'm just so clumsy..."
Her weak voice was baiting sympathy.
Lawrence's brows furrowed as he checked the time. Indeed, it was ten. That was when her nightly checks were scheduled.
He had promised to be there for her. Why was her blood pressure an issue again?
Taking a deep breath, Lawrence hurried back, but his heart sank when he saw Winnie silent and alone. His heartstrings tugged slightly.
Avoiding her gaze, his expression darkening, he headed towards the suite's door, "I... have to go. There’s something urgent. You guys should get some rest."
Sidney glared coldly, fists clenched. Without a word, he suddenly thudded into the children’s room, locking himself in.
Lawrence's stride faltered.
Suppressing the reddening anger prompted by her son, Winnie scoffed in disappointment, "If you can’t be there for him, stop pretending. Children get hurt easily—they're not like adults."
"Winnie..."
"Don't keep your new love waiting, Mr. Rodriguez!" Winnie retorted sharply, slamming the door before he could respond.
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