Chapter 831 Hidden Pride
Molly took a day off and immediately called Patrick, "Hey, Patrick, you got a minute?"
That morning, Vera was at the Linister family home when she got a call from Patrick, "Molly and I are heading down the mountain to pick up Shawn. Wanna join us for a drive?"
Vera agreed right away, "Sure, Patrick, come pick me up."
Holding Teddy, Patrick set off in his car.
Molly called Shawn, "Dad, don't worry. Patrick, Vera, Teddy, and I are coming to get you. Tell that tour guide not to leave. What's his deal? He won't even answer my calls after I said I'd report their travel agency. Doesn't he know I have recordings?"
Shawn's attitude hardened upon hearing they were coming, "Drive safely. I'll wait right here for you."
Shawn hung up and proudly announced, "My kids are on their way, and Teddy's coming too."
On the way, Vera got the gist of the situation. By the afternoon, Shawn was already waiting for them from afar, holding Teddy and showering him with affection. "Teddy, did you miss Grandpa?"
Teddy yawned and, seeing Shawn after a day apart, hugged his neck familiarly.
Jackson wanted to hold Teddy, but Teddy refused, only letting Shawn hold him, making Shawn even prouder!
Patrick and Molly went to find the person in charge while Vera stayed with a group of elderly folks. "Dad, did you buy the medicine? We got some spray on the way. Apply it to the places where you got bitten."
The area was beautiful, with mountains and water, but the accommodations were extremely basic.
By the roadside, a spring flowed. Shawn took Teddy to play in the water, with Vera following behind. Teddy dipped his feet in the water, fascinated as if discovering something new. The rushing stream was unlike anything he'd played with before, and he ignored Vera, excitedly splashing around.
"Shawn, is it okay for Molly to go over there?" Patrick asked, concerned.
Shawn replied, "What are you worried about? My kids are tough, and Patrick's with them."
Vera stayed with the elderly group, watching her son with his legs in the water, standing on a rock, and looking up at Shawn, laughing excitedly.
Vera didn't interfere with Teddy's childhood joy. Even though his clothes got wet, she just watched quietly from the side.
Half an hour later, Patrick and Molly returned.
Vera asked Molly, "How did it go?"
Molly replied, "They're a bunch of bullies. They got scared when they saw Patrick. They didn't know Patrick's father was among the group. They apologized and offered compensation. I told them apologies weren't enough; I was going to report them. Such shady agencies need to be dealt with."
Patrick watched Shawn playing with Teddy, splashing water and making Teddy laugh with his toothy grin. He couldn't help but smile, too.
Vera said to Patrick and Molly, "I checked online earlier. This area is indeed a vacation spot, but they took us to a remote part. There's a five-star hotel in the main area. If Dad wants to stay and play, we should contact the hotel and move the elderly folks there. We can't fit five people in one car, and they seem to want to stay."
Patrick nodded, "Vera, go ahead and arrange it."
Vera asked the elderly folks if they wanted to stay, and upon learning they did, she contacted the hotel. Around 4 PM, a hotel car arrived to take them to the hotel.
A luxury car followed behind.
Teddy, having bonded deeply with Shawn, decided he didn't want to leave with his parents. He hugged Shawn and got on the bus.
At the hotel, Vera and Molly handled the check-in. "Dad, this hotel is mostly for elderly vacationers. If you need anything, just ask the staff. If you want to go home, call us, and we'll come get you," Vera instructed.
Shawn nodded, "Got it."
Molly added, "Reserve another room on that floor. I'll bring two more elderly folks in a couple of days. Let's book for a week and extend if needed."
After settling the elderly folks, they had dinner at the hotel. Teddy played with Shawn for a while longer before Vera, Molly, and Teddy headed home before it got too late.
Sebastian called multiple times to check on the situation.
By the time they got home, it was late at night. Sebastian received a call from Molly confirming they were home safely, and he felt relieved.
Late at night, everyone was asleep, but Randall's room light stayed on until 2 AM.
He called Scott, "Scott, the video you gave me is missing 28 minutes."
Scott woke up startled and quickly appeared downstairs at Randall's place.
They had just met yesterday, and now again, a mini washing machine was already in Randall's bathroom, with unpacked boxes still on the floor.
Scott pulled up a chair and sat down. "That's a long time."
Randall adjusted the video, showing black screens where the footage was missing. "There are 17 black screens, totaling 28 minutes cut out. It's likely to hide someone's movements. The video was processed with a special technique, making it hard to detect. Whoever handled the video was very cautious. I think they either hired someone from the Dark Web or have someone like me on their team. The person who tampered with the video probably knows what they're doing."
Scott was speechless.
"Randall, can you find the original unedited video?"
Randall shook his head, "With this level of processing, it's unlikely."
Scott leaned back in his chair, thinking about potential suspects. "Thanks, Randall. Get some rest. I'm heading out."
Randall asked, "Scott, is it serious? Do you need me to go on the Dark Web..."
"It's not that serious. They're looking for you over there. If you go again, you'll be exposed." Scott took the computer and left without letting Randall see him off.
Downstairs, Scott called home, "Gather everyone, no exceptions."
He drove to the airport and called Patrick, "I need to head home."
Patrick gently pulled his arm away from Vera and stepped outside, "Did Randall find anything?"
"Yeah, but he couldn't restore it. There's something urgent, and I need to go back."
Patrick understood, "Go ahead. If anything happens with Marigold, I'll contact you."
"Thanks."
At the airport, Scott caught a red-eye flight home.
Patrick thought about Randall's skills and smiled, feeling a sense of pride.
Patrick went to Teddy's room, tucked him in, and left.
Weekend.
Randall wanted to sleep in but was woken by Susan's video call, "Susan, it's only six."
"Get up and study," Susan demanded.
Randall turned over, not wanting to move, "Why are you up so early?"
"I'm making breakfast for my mom," Susan was already busy.
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