Chapter 530 Running Away from Home
"Because I can't drag you into this," George interrupted, his voice rough. "Mistaking Anna for you wasn't an accident; the car crash that caused my blindness wasn't an accident; and these rumors now aren't accidents either. Someone's been watching us, trying to control my life."
Emma's heart raced. "Who is it?"
George shook his head. "I don't know yet. But every time I try to get close to you, you end up in danger." He let out a bitter laugh. "Just like tonight."
"So you push me away like that?" Emma's voice rose. "George, what gives you the right to make decisions for me?"
Curious glances from nearby tables turned their way again. George fumbled to stand up. "Let's talk somewhere else."
As they stepped out of the restaurant, a torrential downpour began. George took off his suit jacket and draped it over Emma's head, quickly getting soaked himself.
"Are you crazy?" Emma tried to pull the jacket off and give it back, but he held it firmly in place.
"Don't move." Rainwater slid down his jawline. "I owe you too much."
They stood silently in the rain, facing each other. Finally, Emma took a deep breath. "George, look at me."
George hesitated, his vacant eyes shifting slightly.
"I don't care about the danger, or what people say." Emma spoke deliberately. "I'm asking you one last time, will you face all of this with me?"
The sound of the rain drowned out the world's noise. George slowly raised his hand and touched her wet cheek.
"I will." His thumb brushed the corner of her eye. "But I have one condition."
"What condition?"
"No matter what happens, you must protect yourself." George's voice was almost pleading. "Promise me."
"I promise."
Across the street, in a black sedan, Phoenix stubbed out her cigarette forcefully.
"How touching." She sneered as she dialed a number. "Looks like we need to move up the plan. George is getting suspicious. If we can't get to him, we'll start with those around him."
The black sedan slowly drove away from the restaurant. George sat in the back seat, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the sleeve of his suit. Rainwater dripped from his hair, leaving dark spots on the leather seat.
"Mr. Russell, would you like the heater on?" The driver asked cautiously through the rearview mirror.
"No need." George turned towards the window. Though he couldn't see, he could feel the rhythm of the raindrops hitting the glass. A small smile formed on his lips, his mind filled with Emma's words, "I promise you."
His phone vibrated. It was a message from Joshua: "Mr. Russell, we've found the registration info for that black sedan. The owner is..."
George's fingers paused on the screen for a moment before replying: "Tell me in person tomorrow."
The Russell Villa was brightly lit. As George stepped into the foyer, he heard Charles's hearty laughter from the living room.
"George is back?" Charles wheeled himself over. "How did the talk with Emma go?"
George handed his wet jacket to a servant, showing a rare relaxed expression. "It went well. We cleared everything up."
"Good! That's great!" Charles patted the armrest of his wheelchair. "Emma's a good girl. Now that you can't see, she doesn't mind. You better not let her down."
George knelt in front of his grandfather, holding the old man's wrinkled hand. "Grandpa, I promise you, no matter who Emma chooses in the end, I'll always be her strongest support."
"That's the spirit!" Charles's eyes reddened slightly.
"Dad! Have you lost your mind?" Scarlett's sharp voice came from the stairs. She was wearing silk pajamas, her face covered in a mask. "That Emma is a flirt, messing around with everyone. It's all over the internet!"
George's expression darkened instantly. "Mom, please watch your words."
"Watch what?" Scarlett ripped off her mask and stormed down the stairs. "You two are both bewitched by that tramp! Dad, are you so senile that she's fooled you too?"
Charles slammed his hand on the wheelchair armrest, shaking with anger. "How dare you say such things?"
"Am I wrong?" Scarlett hysterically pointed at George. "Look at your grandson. He gave up his eyesight for that Emma! And now..."
"Enough!" George cut her off sharply. "Mom, if you insult Emma again, please leave this house."
Scarlett staggered back, as if struck. "Fine, you two are ganging up on me, huh?" Her voice rose. "I've taken care of this family for decades, and this is how you treat me?"
The servants retreated to the kitchen, leaving the living room tense with the standoff.
Scarlett suddenly turned and rushed towards the stairs. "I can't stay in this house anymore!"
"Scarlett!" Charles tried to follow in his wheelchair but got caught on the carpet. "George, stop your mother!"
George remained still. "Let her cool off."
Ten minutes later, Scarlett stormed out with a suitcase, smashing a vase in the foyer before leaving.
The door slammed, shaking the chandelier.
Charles sighed deeply, slumping in his wheelchair. "George, your mom has a bad temper, but..."
"Grandpa," George knelt down, his voice softening. "Do you remember the poisoning incident at the nursing home?"
"Wasn't it Phoenix who poisoned me?"
"With her status, she couldn't get close to you."
Charles frowned. "You mean..."
"I suspect Mom was used." George lowered his voice. "During that time, her account had several large transfers, all to the same overseas account."
Charles's cloudy eyes sharpened. "You think someone used your mom..."
"Shh." George gestured for silence. "The house might be bugged. Tomorrow, I'll have Joshua take you to my safe house for a few days."
Meanwhile, in a high-end hotel on the outskirts of the city, Scarlett was yelling into her phone. "You promised not to hurt George! What's with all the online chaos?"
A distorted electronic voice responded. "Mrs. Russell, we're just following the plan. Your son's blindness... could have been avoided."
"You!" Scarlett's hand trembled violently. "I want out! I'll return all the money!"
"Too late." The electronic voice laughed harshly. "You weren't so righteous when you took the money. Meet at the usual place tomorrow at ten. Or the recording of you and the driver will end up in George's inbox."
The call ended, and Scarlett collapsed to the floor, her meticulously styled curls now a disheveled mess.
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