Chapter 187: Not Discovered, Right?

Chapter 187: Chapter 187: Not Discovered, Right?

Jared Hawthorne’s thin lips parted. "Jared Hawthorne."

"Chadwick Whitman."

They exchanged slight nods, formally acknowledging each other.

Just then, the club manager hurried over, leaning in to whisper a few words in Chadwick Whitman’s ear.

"Miss Grayson, Mr. Hawthorne, I have something to take care of. If we get the chance, let’s have a meal together."

Vesper nodded. "Alright."

Stepping into the private elevator, Chadwick instructed quietly, "Investigate Jared Hawthorne’s background."

’Anyone connected to Rex Lambert is definitely not as simple as he seems.’

...

Back at their hotel in Veridia, Vesper held the check for one hundred million, her fingertips trembling slightly. It all felt completely surreal.

’To think a casual outing could somehow end with her a hundred million richer... It was like a dream!’

Jared Hawthorne stood leaning against the bedroom doorframe, arms crossed. His dark eyes were fixed on her, his tone casual but laced with a barely perceptible, teasing edge.

"That Mr. Whitman is quite the big spender when it comes to you."

The aquamarine was rare, to be sure, but a rough stone of that size was hardly worth one hundred million.

Vesper tucked the check away and smiled faintly. "The rich can afford to be capricious. Besides, I saved his father’s life. You can’t put a price on that."

’When it comes down to it, it’s not death the wealthy fear. It’s dying before they get to spend all the money they’ve amassed.’

Jared Hawthorne raised an eyebrow. "It seems Veridia is your lucky place."

"I guess it was lucky," Vesper said softly. "I met Jenson Whitman, the richest man in Veridia, on my very first day. For most people, getting to see him is next to impossible, yet I just stumbled into the chance. Ultimately, it was all thanks to Mrs. Whitman’s kindness. If she hadn’t trusted me and been willing to help, I wouldn’t have gotten out of that predicament so quickly."

Besides, there was something strangely familiar and warm about her.

Having lost her mother at a young age, she’d never known maternal love. Mrs. Whitman’s gentle, thoughtful concern touched the softest part of her heart, filling it with warmth.

"The fact she was willing to help you means you’re not so bad yourself." Jared’s tone shifted as he said coolly, "Theodore Caldwell has already been escorted back to Northolme."

Vesper was curious. "What about the two kidnappers? What are you going to do with them?"

"Since they like Veridia so much, let them stay there forever."

They were just a couple of insignificant clowns; Jared Hawthorne couldn’t care less if they lived or died.

He’d already handed them over to Rex Lambert’s men to deal with, anyway.

Vesper didn’t press further. She was no saint and had no intention of forgiving such ruthless criminals. She knew that if she hadn’t been cautious enough to hide a silver needle before they forced her into the car, she would have been violated, sold off to a wretched den of iniquity like Heaven on Earth, with no hope of ever escaping.

「The next day, the two of them flew back to Northolme.」

Vesper had planned to head to the office that afternoon to take care of some business, but Jared wouldn’t hear of it. He adamantly insisted she stay home and rest for the day.

He even called his personal family doctor to give her a comprehensive check-up. Only after confirming that all her tests came back normal did he finally head to his study.

Vesper didn’t disturb him. She sat alone on a rattan chair on the balcony, lazily basking in the warm sun.

「In the study.」

Jared Hawthorne was on his phone, his voice as cold as ice. "Have someone grab Elara Langley immediately. Bring her in for a face-to-face confrontation with Theodore Caldwell. Force her to reveal the mastermind."

...

「Meanwhile.」

Ever since calling her cousin, Theodore Caldwell, Elara Langley had been frantically trying to contact the two kidnappers. But no matter how many times she called, she couldn’t get through.

She was irritably sweeping ornaments off her desk when her phone suddenly rang. Seeing Theodore Caldwell’s name on the caller ID, she scrambled to answer.

"I’ve got her. She really is a knockout."

Hearing this, the weight on Elara’s chest lifted, and she let out a long sigh of relief.

"Cousin, nothing went wrong, did it?"

’For some reason, she still felt a strange sense of panic, a nagging feeling that something was about to go wrong.’

"What could go wrong? Those two idiots were just having too much fun and forgot to get back to you. Don’t worry. I have her, and I’m watching her like a hawk. I guarantee she’s not going anywhere."

Theodore’s words completely erased Elara’s last shred of doubt. A vicious glint appeared in her eyes.

"Cousin, I have another favor to ask you."

"Name it."

"Those two kidnappers... can you find a way to get rid of them for me?" Elara’s tone was final. She added, "Money is no object."

’Dead men tell no tales.’

’She was terrified that Jared Hawthorne would trace the kidnappers back to Theodore, and then follow the trail right to her. The only way she could truly rest easy was to silence those two permanently.’

Theodore replied from the other end of the line, "I’ll see what I can do."

After hanging up, her eyes filled with impatience, Elara immediately dialed another number. Her tone was tinged with a fawning quality.

"It’s done. Now, about that condition you promised me... It’s time to make good on it, right?"

...

「In a secluded villa on the outskirts of Northolme.」

Theodore Caldwell was trembling from head to toe. With shaking hands, he passed the phone to the man before him, his voice quavering. "Lord Quillan, I said everything exactly as you instructed. She doesn’t suspect a thing."

Leon Quillan took the phone, shooting him a cold glance. His gaze was so sinister it could make a man’s blood run cold.

"Good. You know what’s good for you. Are you clear on what to say later?"

Theodore nodded furiously, promising again and again, "Don’t worry, I know what to do! I guarantee I’ll get her to talk!"

Less than an hour later, two burly men in black suits dragged Elara Langley in.

Her face was deathly pale as she screamed and struggled, her makeup now a complete wreck.

"Who are you?! Let go of me! Do you have any idea who’s backing me?! How dare you lay a hand on me!"

But her shrieks were ignored. She was shoved forcefully to the ground. Leon Quillan’s men were rough thugs, with no concept of going easy on a woman.

Elara let out a muffled grunt of pain and started cursing, but when she looked up and saw Theodore Caldwell sitting on the sofa, she froze on the spot. The look on her face was one of utter shock, as if she’d seen a ghost.

"Co... Cousin? What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in..."

Her gaze swept past him to the stranger, Leon Quillan, standing nearby. The words died in her throat.

Theodore kept his head down, utterly silent. He didn’t even dare to look at her.

Elara’s stomach dropped. Sensing something was terribly wrong, she scrambled to her feet and rushed to Theodore’s side, her voice trembling.

"Cousin, are these men yours? Why are you back in Northolme all of a sudden? Did you have them bring me here?"

Theodore shoved her away, his face contorted in disgust. "Get away from me!"

’That stupid woman has completely ruined me! Of all the people to mess with, she had to go after one of Jared Hawthorne’s!’

"Cousin?"

Elara studied his strange behavior—even the way he sat was unnatural. A flicker of suspicion entered her eyes.

"Cousin, what’s wrong?"

Leon Quillan rose slowly. "I’m going to step outside to make a call. You two chat."

Soon, only Elara and Theodore were left in the living room.

"I had to come back to Northolme for some last-minute business. I’ll head back to Veridia as soon as it’s handled."

"Who was that man? He looked terrifying."

"My... bodyguard," Theodore said evasively. He then grabbed her arm, his tone suddenly urgent and stern. "Tell me, now! Who put you up to going after Miss Grayson?"

Elara’s expression froze, and she instinctively avoided the question. "No one! Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t be asking!"

"If you don’t come clean, I can’t keep her! I had barely gotten my hands on her last night before people were already on my tail, investigating. You’ve gotten me into some serious trouble this time!"

Elara’s heart clenched. She struggled to appear calm. "But... but they didn’t find her, right?"

"I’ve got her hidden somewhere safe," Theodore said, pressing her. He continued, his voice low and probing, "What kind of grudge do you have against Vesper Grayson? Why are you so determined to see her dead?"