Chapter 111 Justin was taken by someone unknown
Richard knew Erin was up to her usual antics.
"Bark!"
"Bark!"
Suddenly, the tranquil silence outside Tranquil Manor was pierced by barks, and a massive black Labrador came bounding toward them.
"Ah!" Erin screamed, nearly leaping onto Richard and clinging to him desperately.
Erin was afraid of dogs, everyone working for the Ryan family knew that.
Being Erin's bodyguard was, for the most part, a walk in the park, on a danger-free day. The most he'd have to do was shield his employer from dogs.
Richard couldn't fathom why Erin harbored such an intense fear of dogs, but the sheer panic in her eyes suggested it wasn't simply fear, it hinted at a harrowing past encounter.
Perhaps a dog bite.
"Richard, get it away, please get it away!" Erin's voice cracked, her body tensed, clinging desperately to his waist.
With one arm securely around Erin, Richard's eyes darkened as he stared down the intruding canine.
For safety, Erin's residence was situated in the middle of the lake, far from neighbors who might own dogs. This was someone's doing.
"Lincoln, Eaton, follow that dog and find out who’s it is." After scaring off the dog, Richard ordered the other bodyguards to trace its origins.
"The dog's gone, you can let go now." Richard's grip loosened, signaling for Erin to dismount him.
Her antics left the other bodyguards dumbfounded.
Yet Erin's daily flirtations with Richard had become routine for them.
Her response was stubborn. "I'm not letting go." She continued clinging to him.
As Richard reached to gently pull her off, he felt a damp coolness on his shoulder. "Crying?"
She was silent, her head resting on his shoulder as she sought refuge in his steady presence.
She didn't want to let go.
"Why are you afraid of dogs?" Richard inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Erin tensed at the question.
Unsure of which word had offended her, she detached herself from his embrace and walked toward the house, her face darkened with streaks of tears.
"Ma'am, this is Mr. James, an attorney. He claims to be representing Mr. Braden and would like to discuss your late husband's estate with you."
Erin eyed the lawyer suspiciously. "Braden sent you? I've made myself abundantly clear. My husband left a will, notarized with video proof, stating that I am the sole beneficiary of his estate. Braden, his estranged brother, has no claim. Understood?"
The lawyer approached courteously, extending a hand for a handshake. "I am here on behalf of Mr. Braden..."
Erin, on guard, stepped back as the lawyer advanced, knife hidden up his sleeve and lunging for her heart.
She recoiled in horror, instinctively closing her eyes.
"Watch out!"
The blade never met its mark...
Erin gasped, her eyes fluttered open, her voice quivering. "Richard."
Richard pulled her into his arms, kicking the intruding lawyer out with a swift movement of his foot.
His back muscles were solid, and the knife wound left only a scratch, though not without consequence. The stark white of his shirt soon grew damp with a spreading red stain.
To Erin, it seemed like Richard was on the brink of death.
"Richard, Richard... please, don't die," Erin cried out in panic, turning to instruct the butler to call an ambulance.
"I'm fine," Richard murmured, keeping his gaze on the subdued lawyer. "What are you planning to do with him?"
Erin couldn't be bothered with anyone else, clutching Richard tightly. "Don't die, don't leave me alone!"
It wasn't the first time Richard had taken a blow for her.
Frowning, Richard tried to ease Erin off him.
His hefty salary was to protect his boss. It was his duty, and he didn't want Erin to harbor any unrealistic fantasies about him.
They were from two different worlds.
To Richard, these wealthy heirs and heiresses were like another species.
Emotions between different species seemed impossible.
Just as people don't fall for rats in the sewers, stray cats don't fall for pedestrians on the sidewalks.
...
At the kindergarten.
Ethan drove all the way to pick up Justin.
Richard had anticipated Erin wouldn't make it easy for him to leave on time, so he had asked Ethan to ensure Jasmine could clock out without delay.
Either he or Jasmine needed to be free from their employer's demands to pick up Justin on time.
Pulling up at the kindergarten gate, Jasmine was taken aback. "Pick up Justin?"
Ethan shot her a look. "What else? Taking you to school?"
His tone was sarcastic, but Jasmine felt an unexpected warmth. "I... I'll go get Justin."
"I've already talked to the hospital, it was Henry who had the doctor set up the appointment under the guise of Justin's check-up. He just used Justin's illness as an excuse to see you," Ethan said bluntly, unafraid to speak ill of Henry.
Of course, it wasn't gossip if it was true.
He was simply stating facts.
Jasmine's mouth hung open in shock before biting her lip. "Thank... Thank you, Mr. Douglas."
After what happened that night in Boston, she knew she couldn't face Henry again unless it involved Justin.
"Is Justin registered under Richard's address?" Ethan asked Jasmine just before she stepped out of the car.
Jasmine nodded quickly, whispering her reassurance. "Don't worry, Mr. Douglas, it won't cause you any trouble."
Ethan's expression grew increasingly grave, realizing Jasmine lacked a sense of urgency.
Justin was Henry's son, and even if Henry didn't fight for custody, Mr. Patrick Sr. would undoubtedly contest Justin's guardianship.
"Get Justin's custody sorted out as soon as possible," Ethan said, glancing at his watch. "Tomorrow, the day after at the latest. Have Liam accompany you to handle the formalities."
"But..." Jasmine started to object.
This would mean, due to the marriage certificate, Justin will be considered Ethan's stepson in a de facto custodial relationship. Legally, Justin would be his stepchild.
Wasn't Ethan concerned that Justin might someday fight for his inheritance?
"Justin's out now," Ethan cut her off.
Jasmine turned, looking toward the kindergarten entrance, but Justin wasn't there.
"Hello there, is Justin..." Jasmine hurried over to the teacher leading the group.
"Justin? Oh? Someone picked him up half an hour ago," the teacher said, puzzled.
Jasmine took a deep breath, panic gripping her as she seized the teacher's arm. "How could... How could someone take Justin away without our permission?"
Jasmine was frantic, her words rushed with anxiety.
Seeing her distress, the teacher also grew panicked. "Wasn't it someone from your family?"
Outside the car, Ethan sensed something amiss and approached. "Where's Justin?"
The teacher looked at Ethan, shocked and bewildered. "M... Mr. Douglas, I have to check the log. It says here he was picked up by his father."
Releasing the teacher, Jasmine frantically took out her phone and called Henry.
Had he arranged for Justin to be taken away?
"Where are you?" Henry answered the phone, his tone rife with displeasure.
"Justin... Did you have someone pick up Justin?" There was a tremble in Jasmine's voice, mixed with fear and the verge of tears.
On the other end, Henry paused. "Justin? I didn't..."
He hadn't sent anyone to pick up Justin.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
