Chapter 58 Boston
On the way back, Jasmine fell asleep against the window.
Henry motioned for his assistant to turn up the heat and switch off the music, driving smoothly and quietly.
"Mr. Patrick, I've found out... Miss Wilson escaped to Boston on her own. The Wilson and Douglas families don't seem ready to let her off the hook. I heard Daniel is coercing her into marrying the son of the Douglas family's butler, who's mentally ill. She called the police and fled."
Ben's voice was hoarse.
He couldn't fathom why all the cruelties of the world seemed to target this kind-hearted woman.
Henry's expression darkened, his gaze growing heavy as he looked out the car window.
"That Miss Wilson could have ever liked someone like Daniel, she must have been blind... Bad luck in meeting the wrong person," Ben remarked wistfully.
Six years ago, he’d felt Daniel wasn't worthy of Jasmine.
But back then, Jasmine only had eyes for Daniel.
"It was an accident Miss Wilson showed up at the club. One of the managers there, Emily, was her cellmate in prison. They needed extra help for a business gala, and Emily asked Miss Wilson to step in, initially as a hostess. Seems like Miss Wilson doesn't drink much, and Emily, being somewhat decent, put her on reception duty instead."
Henry furrowed his brow and glanced at Jasmine, realizing that if he hadn't recognized her at the club, she may have faced harsher circumstances.
"Miss Wilson is now living in an apartment provided by the club with Emily. It's not the best place," Ben said softly.
"Let's go home," Henry said, resolute in his decision not to let Jasmine continue cramming into a rental with strangers.
"To Mansion No. 9, or..." Ben hesitated, unsure.
Over the years, Henry had many women, most of whom visited the mansion, including Melissa, who had been with Henry the longest and always met him there.
Not once had Henry ever brought any woman back to his own place.
"We're going to Serene Haven."
Ben looked back at Henry in surprise, as if seeking confirmation.
Without another word from Henry, Ben headed straight there.
It was Henry's own home, a place no woman had ever entered.
Henry rubbed his temples as he watched Jasmine sleep. This time, he truly wasn't going to let her go easily.
...
Silverlight City.
Richard's auto repair shop.
Justin sat in the courtyard, deftly solving a Rubik's cube. At only five years old, he was exceptionally fast at it.
"Hey, kid, where are your folks?" Called a man from behind the wheel of a van, peering through the iron gate.
Justin glanced up. "Uncle's at work, no car repairs today."
Richard was moonlighting as a bodyguard for the wealthy: one day on, one day off.
Today Justin was home alone.
The man looked around. "Hey, little guy, I've got some candy. Open the gate for me, and I'll take you out to play."
Justin eyed the man skeptically. "Can't take candy from strangers, and I'm not going out with you. Are you a kidnapper?"
The man was taken aback by the little troublemaker. "Hey, who taught you that? Uncle's just trying to be nice by offering you candy."
"Well, first, you are not my uncle, and I've already got candy here too. Would you dare to eat it?" Justin put down the cube and countered.
The man laughed, admiring the child's smarts. "Open the gate, I'm really not a bad guy. I just want to take you somewhere."
Seeing Justin's indifference, the man grew stern and got back in his van, preparing to ram the gate.
Someone had paid him to bring the child in, and he was just following orders.
Just as he was about to drive into the gate, a black sedan pulled up at the curb.
The sight of another person made the man in the van drive off hastily.
Liam stepped out of the car, eyeing the van suspiciously.
Without any further thought, Liam, holding snacks, approached the gate. "Justin."
Seeing Liam, Justin ran over joyfully. "Uncle!"
"Mr. Douglas sent me with some food for you."
Justin nibbled on his lip, asking softly, "Isn't Dad coming?"
"Mr. Douglas is swamped, so it's impressive he even thought of you, little troublemaker," Liam chuckled, squatting down to ruffle Justin's hair through the gap in the door. "I've taken care of your school enrollment, and Richard will take you to school tomorrow. Pay attention in class, and don't open the door for strangers, okay?"
Justin nodded obediently.
Suddenly, something seemed to strike him, and Justin dashed into the house, coming back with a carefully folded piece of paper. "This is a gift for Dad."
Justin was genuinely trying to win Ethan's affection; he truly wanted Ethan to be his father.
Liam took the paper without correcting the little boy's reference to Ethan. "Mr. Douglas and I have to go on a business trip to Boston tomorrow, so be good while we're gone."
"Will you bring Mom back with you, Uncle?" Justin missed his mom.
"Yes," Liam nodded, knowing Jasmine was most likely in Boston, and suspecting Ethan’s trip was for the purpose of finding her.
Recently, Daniel and Evan had been desperately searching for Jasmine, and Ethan feared they might harm the child.
Given Daniel and Evan's modus operandi, they might use the child to force Jasmine to return.
"Uncle, you have to keep your promise," Justin said, his eyes welling up.
Liam paused, then nodded. "Justin, can you think of any friends your mom might have in Boston?"
Justin thought for a moment then looked up at Liam. "There's Auntie Emily; she got out before Mom and came to see me. I remember her phone number."
Justin had a remarkable memory, especially for numbers.
Astonished by Justin's intelligence, Liam asked him to write down the number.
Leaving behind the snacks, Liam got into the car and glanced at the drawing Justin had made, unexpectedly moved by it.
Justin had drawn two adults holding a child's hand.
Ethan, as the dad, was holding an umbrella, shielding him and his mom from the rain.
The longing for a complete family was so evident in the drawing.
...
Boston, the airport.
Ethan arrived in Boston earlier than planned and didn't inform Henry.
"Did you find the address?" Ethan asked, his voice deep.
"Emily lives in the collective dormitory of The Club, on Sunset Terrace."
Liam hailed a cab and headed straight to Emily's place.
"It's the wee hours, and this woman still isn't home," Liam muttered to himself. "Emily's a nightclub hostess."
Ethan furrowed his brow. "Take me to the club!"
Liam hesitated. "Mr. Douglas... going directly to the club isn't the best idea, that's the SHC Group's haunt, and Mr. Patrick will definitely hear about it."
"Don't make me repeat myself." Ethan's irritation was palpable as he contemplated the possibility of Jasmine being there, entertaining guests with drinks.
Not daring to object further, Liam drove straight to the club.
In the wee hours, the club was just heating up.
"Excuse me, do you have someone named Jasmine here?" Liam approached the receptionist with the question.
The nightshift receptionist shook her head. "I don't know her."
"What about Emily?" Liam pressed on.
"You're looking for Emily? She's currently entertaining a client; I'm afraid she can't come to see you right now." The receptionist looked troubled. "The client she's with tonight is quite influential, so..."
Emily was with the Anderson party.
"Room number." Ethan didn't wait in the car; he made his way into the club.
Stunned by Ethan's commanding presence and good looks, the young receptionist blurted out in a stutter, "Are you... Mr. Douglas from Silverlight City?"
"Where's Emily?" Liam asked again.
"Room 3688..."
Ethan's expression was grave as he entered the elevator.
The receptionist was terrified, wondering if she had made a mistake. Ethan was a figure even more formidable than Mr. Patrick.
Shivering, she quickly grabbed her phone and called the manager.
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