Chapter 584 Ms. Watson, He's the Boss
Alan asked urgently, "Where is he now?"
The person on the phone replied, "He's heading to the train station, carrying a large suitcase."
"Keep an eye on him and don't let him out of your sight. If he tries to board a train, do whatever it takes to keep him here, but don't hurt him," Alan instructed quickly.
"What if he insists on leaving? Can we use force?"
"No," Alan snapped.
The caller sounded exasperated. "So, we can't use force, can't harm him, and can't let him go. What do we do if he's determined to leave?"
Alan was adamant, "Find any way to delay him, but avoid those three things at all costs. If you can't hold him, buy some time. I'll find someone who can convince him to stay."
Without waiting for a reply, Alan hung up.
He didn't bother to change, quickly brushed his teeth, and raced to the Ellenstein Villa District.
By the time he arrived, it was already morning. Patricia and the kids were just starting their day, gathered around the breakfast table. Seeing Alan rush in, everyone was surprised.
Sensing something was wrong, Patricia put down her soup spoon and asked with concern, "What's the matter?"
Alan hesitated, not wanting to worry the children. He addressed Patricia, "I need your help, Ms. Watson. It's urgent."
Trusting Alan, Patricia nodded. "I'll just change out of my pajamas."
But Alan was too anxious to wait. "There's no time for that. We need to go now."
Patricia had never seen Alan so distressed. "Alright, I'm coming."
With that, she left with Alan.
Charles sensed the urgency was related to their family. Why else would Alan have been so cautious? What exactly did they have to hide from him?
Dropping his fork, Charles followed them out, instructing the butler, "I need to leave. I have urgent business."
The butler followed, concerned. "Charles, where are you going?"
Randy and Fannie wanted to come along. "What's happening, Charles? Can't we come too?"
"I'll have John take me later. Don't worry," Charles reassured them.
John was the usual driver for the kids.
But this time, Charles needed John for a different reason.
By the time the butler and the other kids got outside, Charles and John were already in the car, pulling away.
"Follow Alan's car," Charles instructed John. "I want to know where he's taking Mommy."
Without questioning, John trailed Alan's vehicle. When Alan's car slowed down, he slowed down; when Alan's car sped up, he accelerated, always maintaining a safe distance without being noticed.
Meanwhile, Patricia's anxiety grew under Alan's evident distress.
"Alan, what's going on?" she pressed, sensing the urgency.
Alan finally had time to explain, "James is trying to leave the city."
"What?" Patricia's breath tightened involuntarily, and her spine couldn't help but straighten. Then she remembered that she had no standing and leaned back on the chair, pretending to be relaxed. She said, "You can see him off alone. Why do you have to drag me along? He might not even want to see me."
"We can't let him go," Alan insisted. "We need to convince him to stay."
Patricia's hands clenched in her lap, her voice tinged with resignation. "You think too highly of me. How could he possibly listen to me?"
If James even cared a little bit about her, he wouldn't be so stubborn in leaving the company. No matter how she pleaded with him, he wouldn't stay. Since he was able to leave the company, disregarding her pleas in the first place, he wouldn't stay in Ivara City because of her either.
When a man's heart is not with you, everything you do is useless.
But Alan was adamant, "You're the only one who can make him stay."
Patricia self-mockingly smiled. "If he really cared about me, he wouldn't be leaving."
Alan clenched his teeth tight and had so much to say to Patricia, but the words were swallowed back before reaching his mouth. He had promised James not to reveal his identity, so he would keep it.
Despite Patricia's skeptical laugh, she remained in the car, outwardly calm yet inwardly anxious, her damp palms betraying her true feelings.
She hoped against hope they could reach James in time to prevent him from leaving.
When they arrived at the long-distance bus station, they saw James with a small suitcase, surrounded by a group of black-clad bodyguards. The standoff between the two sides had been too long, and James' forehead was already sweaty. The collar of his clothes was also damp with sweat. His thin body was swaying as if he would collapse any second. The bodyguards' entire shirts were soaked as well.
Before even getting close, one could feel James' rage in the air. "Are you deaf? I said, get out of my way."
The head bodyguard, with a determined expression, said, "I'm sorry, but we can't let you leave. Please be patient; he will be here soon."
James became so angry that his face turned green.
These idiots. How dare they stop him? Unfortunately, he couldn't reveal his identity.
Alan approached swiftly, seizing James' suitcase. "I ordered them to stop you at any cost."
Patricia followed closely behind, asking, "Where are you going?"
James glared at Alan. "I made my intentions clear yesterday! Remember your promise to me. Let go and call them off."
"No, Bo–"
James cut him off sharply. "Stop! Wasn't I clear enough? Why did you bring her here? Do you think her presence changes anything?"
James' anger was palpable, and his outburst was followed by a fit of coughing.
Patricia felt a sting in her heart at his words.
What was she doing here, really? Could her presence alter the fact that he was determined to leave?
Clearly not.
He had never truly cared about her, she realized. She inwardly mocked her naivety and misplaced sense of importance.
James' tone softened slightly after his coughing fit, but his command was still firm. "Alan, don't push me!"
Alan, accustomed to following James' orders, reflexively released the suitcase under his icy stare.
James resumed his departure, suitcase in tow, while Patricia, feeling dejected, turned and walked away.
'Just let him go.'
She could carry on without James. Her heart belonged to Martin, not James. She didn't love James.
Watching them walk away, Alan was overcome with desperation, drenched in sweat. He sensed that if James left now, it might be the last time he'd ever see him.
Suddenly, Charles arrived, catching sight of James from a distance. He stood rooted to the spot, shock coursing through him.
"Daddy," he whispered.
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