Chapter 277: Something’s Wrong

Chapter 277: Chapter 277: Something’s Wrong

"Chadwick..."

Hannah Churchill lowered her voice, her soft, sweet call drifting through the boisterous banquet hall.

Chadwick Whitman turned at the sound of her voice. His indifferent gaze settled on her briefly before he gave a slight nod, his expression as distant and cold as ever—unapproachable.

Hannah Churchill held a glass of red wine in both hands and offered it to him, her eyes crinkling into a smile as she spoke softly.

"Congratulations on finding your sister."

"Thank you."

Chadwick Whitman took the glass, his fingertips brushing its surface. His voice was deep and even. "That position you mentioned last time—I’ve secured it for you. Bring your documents tomorrow and report directly there."

At his words, a subtle light flickered in Hannah Churchill’s eyes, which filled with adoration.

"I knew you were the best, Chadwick. You never disappoint me."

"It was nothing. Once you’re in, just focus on your work. If you run into any trouble, you can talk to my assistant."

Chadwick Whitman stared at her familiar-looking features, and for a moment, his gaze grew distant and unfocused.

’Looking at this face, it was as if he could see Iris Churchill. But she was long dead. She was never coming back!’

A heavy sense of emptiness and gloom washed over him in an instant.

Hannah Churchill noticed his momentary lapse, her fingers curling nervously as she cautiously tested the waters.

"In a few days, it’ll be my sister’s death anniversary. Chadwick... will you go see her?"

"Yes."

Ever since Iris Churchill passed away, he had never missed the anniversary of her death.

Each time, he would sit vigil by her gravestone for the entire night.

Even though she was gone, every little detail of their past together was clearly etched in his mind.

"Can I go with you to pay respects to my sister?" Hannah Churchill looked up, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Chadwick Whitman lowered his gaze and took a sip of wine, his tone unyielding as he coldly refused.

"There’s no need. I’m not used to visiting her with other people."

He was well aware of Hannah Churchill’s hidden intentions. To him, she had only ever been Iris Churchill’s younger sister.

If it weren’t for Iris Churchill’s sake, he wouldn’t have looked after Hannah and the Churchill Family so much.

A flicker of dismay crossed Hannah Churchill’s eyes, and she looked as if she were about to burst with grievance.

"Chadwick, my sister has been gone for so long. You shouldn’t stay trapped in the past. You should try to let go and start a new life. I’m sure that’s what my sister would have wanted to see."

Her presumptuous words of comfort instantly coated Chadwick Whitman’s eyes with a layer of frost.

"It’s not your place to say such things."

With that, he lowered his gaze and turned to leave.

He had only taken two steps when a violent wave of dizziness washed over him. A limp, powerless exhaustion flooded his limbs, and he stumbled uncontrollably.

"Chadwick! Are you alright?"

Hannah Churchill immediately rushed forward, grabbing his arm tightly while feigning a look of anxious concern.

With heavy force, Chadwick Whitman flung her hand off him, his voice dangerously low.

"Don’t touch me."

"Let me help you go rest for a moment, okay?"

Ignoring his resistance, she insisted on supporting him by the arm, forcibly leading him toward the elevators.

A scorching, aggressive heat surged madly through his entire body, overwhelming him. The dizzying, suffocating sensation grew stronger, as if all his strength had been completely drained. Chadwick Whitman clenched his jaw. The extreme heat and loss of control pushed him to the brink.

What little reason he had left was sounding a frantic alarm.

"Get lost!"

He snapped his head up, his bloodshot eyes glinting with a bone-chilling coldness. His sharp gaze was fixed on Hannah Churchill. "Did you tamper with the wine?"

"Chadwick, what are you talking about? I don’t understand..."

Hannah Churchill wore an innocent, confused expression, but Chadwick Whitman still caught the fleeting panic and guilt in her eyes.

"Get lost!"

Using the last of his strength, Chadwick Whitman shoved her away forcefully.

Hannah Churchill stumbled backward, staring at him helplessly.

Just then, Mrs. Churchill hurried forward and smoothly took hold of Chadwick Whitman’s other arm, her movements practiced yet urgent.

She quickly shot Hannah Churchill a look, her eyes conveying a hurried signal.

’While all the guests’ attention was focused on the newly returned young miss of the Whitman family, they had to get him away immediately.’

’Once the drug took full effect and others noticed something was wrong, everything would be ruined!’

Hannah Churchill understood at once. She hurried forward to steady Chadwick Whitman’s body, and the mother-daughter duo, one on each side, forcibly half-carried the unsteady man into an elevator.

Vesper Grayson, bored out of her mind, was dealing with the endless stream of pleasantries when her gaze swept idly across the hall, searching for her older brother, Chadwick Whitman.

She hadn’t seen her brother for a little while.

’She knew her brother didn’t want to steal her thunder today and overshadow the guest of honor!’

The next moment, her eyes landed on three figures not far away.

Two women were on either side of an unsteady Chadwick Whitman, supporting him as they hurried toward the elevators.

’Something was wrong!’

She immediately excused herself and hurried after them toward the elevators.

Jared Hawthorne, beside her, had quick eyes and fast hands. He gently wrapped an arm around her waist and murmured a warning.

"Slow down. Be careful you don’t run into anyone."

"Honey, something’s wrong with my brother. We have to go check on him!"

Vesper Grayson had no time to explain. As she watched the elevator doors close, she immediately pulled Jared Hawthorne toward a private elevator nearby and rushed inside.

「Underground Parking Garage.」

The elevator doors opened to reveal Hannah Churchill and her mother struggling to support Chadwick Whitman as they tried to shove him into a car.

"Hold on!"

Vesper Grayson’s clear voice suddenly rang out.

Mrs. Churchill and Hannah Churchill froze. They whipped around, their faces instantly turning deathly pale as panic flared.

"Quick! Get him in the car! I’ll stop them!"

Mrs. Churchill made a snap decision, hissing in a low, urgent voice. She then strode forward, planting herself directly in front of Vesper Grayson and Jared Hawthorne.

She forced herself to look calm and plastered a polite smile on her face.

"Miss Whitman, what are you doing down here?"

Vesper Grayson’s gaze was cool, her brows furrowed. "Where are you taking my brother?" she demanded.

"You must be mistaken. President Whitman is still upstairs entertaining guests," Mrs. Churchill argued stubbornly.

’What utter nonsense.’

’Did she think Vesper was blind?’

"He’s my own brother. I couldn’t possibly mistake him." Vesper Grayson turned her head slightly, looking up at the man beside her. "Honey, go take a look."

Mrs. Churchill immediately moved to block him, but in the next instant, Jared Hawthorne seized her wrist in a crushing grip.

The man’s strength was immense. With a casual flick, he threw her aside.

Wearing high heels, Mrs. Churchill lost her balance and crashed heavily to the ground, unable to get up for a long moment.

Jared Hawthorne strode calmly to the car and, in a few steps, precisely grabbed the arm of Hannah Churchill, who was about to scramble inside.

His cold gaze swept over the car’s interior. Chadwick Whitman was slumped against the seat, completely drained of strength, his chest heaving as he took ragged, scorching breaths.

Having navigated the business world for years, Jared Hawthorne recognized such a low-handed trick at a single glance.

"Let me go! What right do you have to grab me!" Hannah Churchill panicked, struggling desperately.

The difference in strength between a man and a woman was enormous; she was no match for Jared Hawthorne.

Jared Hawthorne was not one to show tenderness to women. Annoyed by her shouting, he twisted her arm sharply behind her back, pinning her securely.

His deep, sinister voice echoed in the empty, silent garage, its threat bone-chilling.

"One more word, and I’ll break this arm of yours."

Hannah Churchill’s face turned white with pain, beads of sweat forming on her temples. All her struggles ceased instantly, and she didn’t dare utter another word.

Mrs. Churchill scrambled up from the floor in a sorry state and limped over, shouting harshly.

"Let go of my daughter! Do you have any idea what our relationship is with the Whitman Family!"

Vesper Grayson checked on Chadwick’s condition. She pulled silver needles from her sleeve and quickly inserted them into his Intestine, Pericardium, and Liver Acupoints to suppress the drug’s effects and temporarily relieve the intense heat.

"I don’t care what your relationship with the Whitman Family is. You had malicious intent toward my brother, and neither of you will get away with it!"

She took out her phone and quickly called Jenson Whitman. "Dad, I’m in the underground garage. Someone drugged my brother."

Mrs. Churchill’s expression changed drastically. She turned and tried to run.

Just then, a security guard who had noticed something was wrong hurried over and recognized her immediately.

He asked obsequiously, "Miss Whitman, what’s happened?"

Vesper Grayson said coldly, "Seize her! Don’t let her get away!"

The guard stepped forward and restrained Mrs. Churchill.

A short while later, Jenson Whitman and Renee Rhodes arrived with their people.

Seeing the restrained Churchill mother and daughter, Jenson Whitman’s face darkened instantly.

He roared in fury, "What did you two do to my son?"