Chapter 35
Julia’s POV
I looked at Alex. His expression was unreadable, calm and composed as he sat comfortably like other shareholders. His fingers tapped lightly against the table, it was a casual gesture. He was waiting, watching and assessing everyone’s faces, perhaps waiting for the meeting to
commence.
I couldn’t let him sense my unease. I stepped forward and took a seat at the head table. Now, all eyes were on me.
Still wondering why Alex was here, I leaned slightly toward Emily, I lowered my voice. “Find out what Alex has been up to.”
Emily didn’t hesitate. With a quick nod, she got up and slipped out of the conference room.
“Where’s Scarlett?” Mr. Samuel’s question made me snap out of my thoughts.
“Scarlett hadn’t arrived yet.” I replied as I pulled out my phone and sent a message to Jake.
“Where are you?” It didn’t take long for a reply.
“On our way. There had been traffic. Five minutes, we will be there.” He added.
Lexhaled slowly as the call ended. That was one problem seemingly under control.
“They will arrive in a few minutes.” I stated as I glanced at my wrist watch on my left hand.
The room was tense, I noticed every look on each of their faces. They were beginning to feel pissed that she wasn’t here yet. The shareholders weren’t an easy crowd to manage on a normal day, but with Scarlett’s removal on the table, they were patiently waiting. Some whispered among themselves while others stared at me expectantly. Mr. Samuel, seated near the head of the table, glanced at his watch with a frown. Five minutes passed, then ten and then twenty. Scarlett still hadn’t shown up.
Murmurs grew louder. A few shareholders shifted in their seats impatiently. Mr. Green, never one to hold back his opinions, leaned forward. ” Where is she?”
I checked my phone. No new messages from Jake. I sent another but no response.
I forced a neutral expression. “They’re on their way.”
“Then why aren’t they here yet?” Mr. Green muttered.
More minutes ticked by. It was becoming impossible to ignore.
“She must have fled,” one shareholder, by name Mr. Antonio, said.
Another, Mr Michael scoffed. “I wouldn’t be surprised. She knew this was coming.”
“She wouldn’t just run,” I said, more to myself than to them.
But doubt was creeping in. If she was really on her way, why weren’t they here already?
I called him and the call rang but there was no answer.
I called again but it kept going to voicemail.
I dialed the driver next. The phone rang twice before someone picked up. But it wasn’t the driver’s voice.
“This is Dr. Lin from St. Andrews Hospital.”
“Hello?” I called out.
“There’s been an accident. He’s unconscious and severely injured.” A chill ran down my spine.
Accident?
“Do you perhaps know the patient?” He asked.
A strange unease settled inside me. “Yes,” I said cautiously.
“Can you come to the hospital?”
“Yes.”
Chapter 35
+25 Bonus
I saw Mr. Samuel was quick to truly notice something was wrong. His brow furrowed as he studied me.
I could hear my heartbeat, beating so fast.
I shut my eyes briefly, suppressing the surge of fear from rising.
“The patient is unconscious,” the doctor said. “He was in a car accident and fainted immediately. He is severely injured too.”
A chill ran down my spine.
“The patient is not stable yet.” He said.
“And the rest?”
“We only have one person with us, the driver. He was alone in the vehicle when the ambulance arrived. We didn’t find a trace of any passenger ma’am.”
Scarlett wasn’t there? Jake wasn’t there? Where would they be?
I took a last glance at everyone before finally walking out of the room to continue the call.
A few minutes later, Mr. Samuel, who felt something was wrong, joined me.
“I’ll be sending you the address of the hospital ma’am. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you.” The doctor concluded before ending the call. Mr. Samuel leaned in slightly. “What’s going on?”
I didn’t look at him as I replied. “I have been informed the driver has been involved in an accident… but Scarlett and Jake were not there. His brows drew together.
I clenched my jaw. “I think someone took them. That’s the only explanation.”
Immediately, Emily returned. She walked quickly, approaching me.
I turned to her immediately as she leaned forward as if she wanted to whisper to me. She hesitated for some time before she finally spoke.” There’s nothing fishy about Alex but…”
I narrowed my eyes as I paid more attention and then she continued. “Alex’s assistant was supposed to be waiting in the lounge but he just disappeared all of a sudden. I searched everywhere for him but couldn’t find him.”
Her words made me turn my cold gaze to Alex who was inside.
He was still seated comfortably as he stood on his feet, adjusting his tie. He put his arms inside his pockets like a gentleman but suddenly, his cold eyes on the other hand didn’t leave mine. Our eyes bored right into each other’s.
