Chapter 14 They Met Again
That was impossible!
Eliezer quickly dismissed the thought.
Lindsey was just an orphan, and she’d been out of the country for three. years. The only people she hung out with were street thugs. How could she possibly afford a luxury sports car?
After being kicked out by the Oconnell family, where else could she go besides the villa?
But the villa was shrouded in darkness.
The master bedroom on the second floor was spotless. Other than the freshly made bed that hinted someone had recently stayed there, there was no trace of her presence.
Even that battered suitcase was gone.
Eliezer had searched every corner of Silverwood Manor but found no sign
of her.
Disappointed, he called his assistant, Adrien Daniel, “Find out where Lindsey is. Also, compile everything about her time abroad over the past. three years and send it to me.”
“Got it.”
Adrien took the order.
Then, he asked, “Mr. Woodward, aren’t you divorcing Ms. Oconnell? Why look into her now?”
11
The line suddenly fell silent.
After a pause, Eliezer’s voice returned, cold as ice, “Have you delivered the divorce papers yet?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Woodward. I haven’t got around to it yet.”
Adrien replied apologetically.
“Lakesey Studio’s contract with us just expired, and they’ve made it clear they don’t plan to renew it. We’ve been tied up with that issue these past. few days, but we still can’t track down their lead designer, Sylvia. So, your matter with Ms. Oconnell is temporarily put on hold.”
Eliezer frowned. “Even after we tripled the offer, they still wouldn’t renew?”
even a
“That’s right. They even said that not tenfold increase would change their mind.”
Adrien’s tone grew anxious as he continued, “Our three–year collaboration with Lakesey Studio went smoothly, and we’ve never offended their designer. The new contract terms are more than attractive. We can’t figure out why they’re refusing to work with us. We’re still doing our best to negotiate.”
Three years ago, right after Nathaniel’s death, the massive corporation had been handed over to a man in his twenties, someone who couldn’t even control his own marriage. Many board members were just waiting to see him fail.
The collaboration with Lakesey Studio helped the Woodward Jewelry’s net profits spike 300% in the first quarter. Since then, revenue had remained steady.
With that success as leverage, Eliezer boldly pushed forward other projects, all of which went smoothly.
It could be said that Lakesey Studio played a major role in helping Eliezer secure his footing in the group so quickly.
Now that the three–year contract was ending, he couldn’t understand why Lakesey Studio suddenly refused to renew.
Eliezer stayed quiet for a moment, then said, “Put my divorce with
Lindsey on hold. Find out Sylvia’s recent activities. I’ll handle the renewal talks myself.”
“Got it!”
***
One week later.
Outside Lunaris Entertainment’s headquarters, in the driver’s seat of hist black Spyker, Eliezer’s face was gloomy.
“Still no leads? Adrien, have you been in the CEO’s office too long? Have all the compliments rotted your competence?”
Adrien trembled on the other end of the line. This was the first time he’d ever been scolded so harshly at the Woodward Group.
It was baffling. He had reviewed all the surveillance footage in Rivendale but found not even a trace of Ms. Oconnell.
Even the footage around Silverwood Manor had been wiped. And the footage from the day she returned to the country was also gone. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Woodward.”
Adrien said nervously, “I’ve already placed someone to watch the mailing address of the divorce papers, but so far, no sign of Ms. Oconnell. As for her past three years abroad, she lived like an ordinary student and took part–time jobs when not in class. Nothing unusual.”
In the car. Eliezer massaged his brow. “Report to me when anything turns. up.”
Sensing the anger radiating through the phone. Adrien dared not say more. “Understood.”
Eliezer didn’t forget the actual business of the day. He glanced at his watch, his voice tinged with irritation.
“Are you sure Lakesey Studio intends to sign with Lunaris Entertainment, and that Sylvia is supposed to meet the CEO of Lunaris, Brayden, today?”
He’d been waiting since morning. Not only had Brayden not shown his face, but the elusive designer behind Lakesey Studio hadn’t appeared either.
Before he got a response, Eliezer’s eyes suddenly narrowed as he looked out the window, and his expression turned grim.
After severing ties with the Oconnell family, Lindsey had spent two days. sleeping in Brayden’s apartment.
Today, she had an appointment with Brayden to sign a contract, so she had no choice but to head out under the blazing sun.
Just before arriving at the company building, she gave Brayden a call.
Ten minut
he appeared, carrying a bouquet of roses.
sleek trousers that showed off his long legs, and his black op two buttons undone, giving him a wild, untamed look.
embarrass you today, did I, Brielle?”
Stopping in front of Lindsey, Brayden handed her the bouquet. “My dear Sylvia, today’s choice–champagne roses. Hope you like them.”
11
“Thank you, Brayden.”
Lindsey pulled a wry face, but she could never say no to roses of any
kind.
Just as she took off her sunglasses and reached out to accept the bouquet, a familiar figure flashed in the corner of her eye, making her turn instinctively.
From a distance, her eyes locked with a cold, piercing stare.
