After Hailey helped send off the guests, she supported Greg and Lucia as they prepared to head down the mountain.
As they neared the foot of the mountain, Hailey caught sight of a tall figure in black, holding a black umbrella. His silhouette was familiar, even from a distance. A month had passed, but she immediately recognized him.
Hailey paused, standing still for a moment. She didn’t chase after him.
Fate had run its course; there was no need to force it. Moreover, Lydia’s death hung heavily between them.
“Is something wrong?” Lucia asked.
“Nothing. Let’s go down,” Hailey replied quietly, helping Lucia down the mountain.
The Brown family only had one daughter, and now that Lydia was gone, Greg was devastated. Fearing that they might fall apart, Hailey had stayed with the Brown family a little longer than planned.
A week later, Hailey packed her things and prepared to leave.
Before her departure, the family had a quiet breakfast together. It was clear that there was a certain awkwardness between them, but their eyes were full of reluctance and guilt.
Hailey didn’t know what to say. She simply lowered her head and finished the bowl of egg soup.
“Hailey,” Lucia said, her eyes full of regret, “I’m so sorry.”
Hailey opened her mouth to tell them that it was all in the past and that she had forgiven them, but the words stuck in her throat, as though her tongue had gone numb, and her mind seemed to lose focus.
Without warning, she collapsed onto the table.
*****
Hailey was jolted awake by cold water splashing her face.
She opened her eyes and found herself lying in a small, shabby room, unsure of where she was. A tall man stood before her, wearing a silver mask, his attire plain but imposing.
“Who are you?” Hailey coughed weakly.
“You don’t need to know who I am, only that we are enemies,” the man’s voice was rough and unfamiliar.
Hailey stared at him but couldn’t recognize his silhouette.
“What do you want from me?” she asked.
The man didn’t answer. He turned and walked out of the room.
Hailey wiped her face, trying to sit up. The room was hidden away, with only a small ventilation hole near the ceiling letting in a sliver of light.
She paced around the room, feeling dizzy and disoriented. She hadn’t expected the Brown family to strike again. Who knew what they had put in that bowl of egg soup.
Hailey curled up in a corner, taking a deep breath and thinking, “This time, who would come to my rescue?‘
Time passed slowly.
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Chapter 209
Eventually, the masked man returned. He threw a piece of bread and a bottle of water toward her.
During the time Hailey had been missing, chaos had erupted outside.
96%
58)
The Calhoun Group was embroiled in scandal, with its stock price plummeting. Shareholders demanded that Owen step down, and anonymous individuals seized the opportunity to buy up shares in the company.
Speculation ran rampant that the Calhoun Group was on the verge of a change in ownership. But all those rumors were quickly suppressed.
Experts confirmed that the leaked recordings were fake, and the Calhoun Group’s official social media announced that CEO Owen would soon be engaged to Eleanor Jordan of Bleevine Group, with the engagement set for next month.
Just like that, all discussions vanished, and the stock price of the Calhoun Group began to recover.
Meanwhile, Owen was still in the hospital.
“Mr. Calhoun, as per your instructions, the news has been released,” Richard said respectfully as he stood by Owen’s hospital bed.
Owen nodded and gazed out the window. The sunlight outside was bright and clear.
“Have we identified who’s been secretly acquiring shares in the Calhoun Group?” Owen asked.
Richard hesitated before answering, “The tech department traced the IP address, but when we went to investigate, the person had already disappeared.”
Owen narrowed his eyes, a shadow of darkness passing over them.
Over the years, the Calhoun Group had made many enemies, but very few dared to strike at it. Whoever was behind this had to be someone bold–and dangerous.
“Mr. Calhoun, George is on the phone,” a bodyguard stepped into the room holding the phone.
Owen nodded and answered, “Grandfather.”
“Owen,” George’s voice was frail, his health deteriorating over the years. “Are you really in love with Eleanor? I’m getting old, and I can’t control your decisions, but I hope you marry someone you truly love.”
Owen lowered his gaze, hiding the thoughts in his eyes. “Yes, grandfather. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”
“You’ve been apart from Hailey for so long, and now that you’ve found each other again, I don’t want external things to tear you apart. If the company disappears, it disappears, but don’t delay your lifetime happiness.”
“I know, grandfather. Don’t worry. Have you had lunch yet?” Owen changed the subject.
George sighed deeply.
After the call, Owen placed the phone down. Richard stood silently beside him, as if debating whether t
Owen broke the silence. “Is there something else?”
- ak.
Richard hesitated for a long moment before speaking. “I think George is right.”
Owen glanced at him, his expression cold. “Enough. Don’t say any more. Just make sure Hailey is well–protected.”
Richard nodded and was about to leave when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, where a message from Tommy Walker appeared. [Richard, we’ve lost track of Miss Dalton.]
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Richard’s heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively looked up at Owen.
“What’s going on?” Owen’s eyes darkened, sensing something was wrong.
Richard nervously picked up his phone and dialed Tommy’s number.
“Where did you lose track of Miss Dalton?” he demanded.
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On the other end, a loud but now anxious voice responded, “Miss Dalton had been staying with the Brown family, but she hasn’t left the house for two days. Normally, she’d walk around the yard, but since yesterday, she hasn’t been seen
“Did you check with the Brown family?”
“Yes, I did. They said Miss Dalton left early this morning, but when I showed them her photo at the station, no one had seen her. That’s when I decided to report to you.”
Tommy lowered his voice and added, “I suspect the Brown family is involved. They must have hidden her. How else could she just vanish like that?”