CHAPTER 106: CHAPTER 102: HEARTBROKEN DEPARTURE

Twinkle pouted, "Alright! Daddy, goodnight!"

Jason also said, "Goodnight."

Twinkle then pushed his luck, "I also want a goodnight kiss."

Jason’s face darkened a bit, obviously not used to it. Eleanor, knowing her son’s personality, quickly kissed her grandson’s soft cheek, "Good Twinkle, go to sleep now!"

Twinkle unhappily glanced at his daddy, then reluctantly pulled up the covers and went to sleep.

Eleanor only then took her phone and walked out, "Jason, is Laura Quincy the English tutor you hired for Twinkle?"

Jason frowned, "Mom, why are you suddenly asking about this?"

Eleanor lowered her voice, "Be honest with mom, do you have some unclear relationship with that Laura Quincy? Otherwise, why would she be staying at Sunstone Hospital?"

Jason felt a bit of a headache, "Mom, you’re overthinking this."

Eleanor continued, "I hope it’s just mom who’s overthinking! Anyway, no matter how many women you have outside, the only one suitable to be by your side is Stella Jennings, she’s the most appropriate future wife for you."

Jason was most annoyed hearing this, his tone a bit impatient, "Mom, I know."

Eleanor kept nagging, "Mom knows you don’t like to hear this, but mom’s doing it for your sake. Your brother’s family is watching intently coveting your position, we must stay vigilant."

After hanging up the phone, Jason felt even more frustrated and irritable. He knew his mother’s character all too well, she had long considered Serena Jennings as her predetermined daughter-in-law, likely unable to see anyone else.

She had always been very attentive to the women around him, including the tutors and nannies he hired for Twinkle, paying extra attention to almost every one, going as far as investigating their family backgrounds. If anyone showed the slightest affection for him, she’d proactively use money to buy them off...

Thinking of these, Jason felt a headache coming on, fearing that only Twinkle could deal with his mother.

Just before sleep, he suddenly received a call from John, "Jason, did you take Laura away?"

Jason was perplexed by the question, "No, what happened?"

John had a bad feeling, "Laura is missing. After lunch, she told the nurse she wanted to go out in a wheelchair for a bit. The nurse didn’t refuse such a reasonable request, but who knew she wouldn’t come back after going out. I’ve had people search the entire hospital but didn’t find her."

Jason furrowed his brow, "Her right leg hasn’t healed yet, where could she go?"

John was exasperated, "That’s why I thought you took her."

Jason said seriously, "Doesn’t the hospital have cameras? Quickly check and see what’s going on, maybe we can find some clues."

John nodded, "I’ll check right away. By the way, Laura’s phone has been off. Should we go to her home and check?"

Jason furrowed his brow, "I’ll send you the address, send someone over to find out what’s going on."

John was well aware of Laura’s importance to him, "No problem!"

Just as Jason was about to hang up, he heard John say, "Could it be she saw the reports on the news and left on purpose?"

Jason paused for two seconds, could that really be the case?

Taliath, Lake Seraph.

Laura was leisurely sitting on the guest house’s hanging chair basking in the sun, feeling extremely relaxed. The guest house was filled with many young tourists, all planning to bike around Lake Seraph in the afternoon.

Laura felt a twinge of excitement, but she knew she could only think about it...

Her leg injury not yet healed, she could only sit in a wheelchair and take a spin around Lake Seraph. Actually, even if doing nothing, she’d prefer staying here.

Much better than staying in the hospital with restless thoughts!

The past couple of days her phone had been off, precisely because she didn’t want to contact anyone, nor did she want anyone disturbing her.

At the same time, to prevent herself from constantly checking her phone and harboring any lingering thoughts...

She didn’t want to be so weak, and the best solution was to turn off the phone, granting herself some peace and quiet...

Nina Pierce came over after drying clothes, "Want to take a stroll by Lake Seraph?"

Laura nodded, then with her friend’s help, she settled into the wheelchair, letting her push her outside. Along the way, they’d bump into some guests staying at the guest house, who warmly greeted them.

No one saw them as outcasts, and some even saw her as commendably brave...

Laura’s mood brightened in this strange environment. Lake Seraph, though not a real sea, still gave a striking impression up close with its endless azure waters, surrounded by many trees, viewing platforms abound, with very beautiful scenery!

Nina was excitedly snapping photos non-stop and had nearby tourists take several pictures of her and Laura together, both smiling and fully immersed in the picturesque surroundings...

Unknown to them, Jason was almost going mad searching for her, having virtually turned Aethelburg upside down yet unable to find Laura, inevitably feeling a bit frustrated and irritated.

Mason watched his boss get so angry, standing at the side not daring to breathe loudly.

Jason’s heart seemed to be burning with a raging fire, his expression as dark and terrifying as the Inferno from the underworld...

Mason Cross suddenly seemed to think of something and said, "BOSS, maybe Miss Quincy went out of town?"

His words woke everyone up.

Justin Hawthorne said urgently, "Quickly check all the traffic hubs, we must find news about her!"

Mason nodded, "BOSS, rest assured, I will handle it right away."

He sighed internally; Miss Quincy was truly worrying! Her leg injury hadn’t healed completely, yet she was causing so much trouble that he was also following along in fear...

About two hours later, Justin Hawthorne received the news that Laura Quincy had flown to Crestfall three days ago. Anger filled his eyes; that damned little woman! She must have done it on purpose!

Her leg injury hadn’t even healed and she secretly ran off to Rivenia!

"Mason, immediately book me a ticket to Crestfall now!"

"BOSS, you just got back, there are still many things waiting for you to handle at the company. Tomorrow morning there’s a shareholders’ meeting, and Secretary Tully hinted to me that the old man would attend..."

Mason said rather helplessly, as the BOSS’s special assistant, he had to worry about everything, it’s exhausting!

Justin Hawthorne pursed his lips; Secretary Tully was his father’s personal secretary, having been with him for over forty years, deeply trusted and valued by his father, so if he could hint this to Mason, the news was certainly genuine...

"I understand, then book a flight for tomorrow afternoon. Additionally, find out where Laura Quincy is right now, how her health is. If necessary, have John arrange a doctor to travel with me."

"BOSS, perhaps you could let Young Master Thorne and the doctor go first..."

"Asher Thorne?"

"This is merely a personal suggestion from me..."

Mason lowered his head, not daring to speak loudly; he didn’t want the BOSS to get involved in any unnecessary trouble at this time, hence privately suggested having Young Master Thorne handle it instead...

Of course, Justin Hawthorne understood Mason’s intention, but Asher could not handle this matter for him. He must go personally; Laura Quincy was his woman, and he couldn’t constantly entrust her to others, otherwise, he wouldn’t deserve to have her!

"Not necessary."

"Uh..."

Mason said no more; since BOSS didn’t heed his advice, he could only think of a way to manage the aftermath.

Meanwhile, Laura Quincy and Nina Pierce had already arrived at the Old Town Silverstream; the alleys here were notably numerous, and as they walked, they easily got lost several times...

Fortunately, kind-hearted people helped direct them, and they continuously visited various small shops along the way, gaining plenty.

During the meeting, Justin Hawthorne felt absent-minded; he was very concerned about Laura Quincy’s health condition. John had said that her leg injury wasn’t fully healed, surely unsuitable for traveling; proper rest was what a patient should be doing...

"Does anyone have better suggestions for the new coastal project plan?"

Angus Hawthorne’s voice was as loud as a bell, showing no signs of aging at all.

The entire conference room was dead silent, no one answered.

Angus Hawthorne turned his gaze to his youngest son, "Jason, how about you?"

Named, Justin Hawthorne suddenly realized he had been daydreaming, immediately recovering smoothly, "On the surface, the new coastal project plan seems flawless, considering the construction of surrounding facilities, but there’s one point: that section of the coast experiences tides, so the foundations need to be reconsidered."

His eldest brother, Wade Hawthorne, interjected, "The numerical reports over several continuous years never showed that section of the coast experiencing tides; I don’t know where Fourth Brother got that conclusion."

The implication of his words was obvious.

Unperturbed, Justin Hawthorne presented the evidence in his hand, "I had Mason specifically inquire at local villages for this data; although no phenomena of rising tides have occurred over the past decade, it doesn’t mean it never happened. When building villas with piles by the sea, one must take this geographic phenomenon into account. Sometimes, analysis of data from the past decade isn’t necessarily useful, especially since the villas are meant to last for decades."

His words were calm, yet they delivered a powerful blow to Wade Hawthorne...

Instantly, Wade found himself in an awkward position, his face turning ashen like pig liver.

Wyatt Hawthorne, the second brother, hurriedly broke the tense atmosphere, "Fourth Brother really considered it all! His mind indeed thinks more than ours, quite resembling father in his younger days."

His flattering words were spot on, praising both Justin Hawthorne and his father highly while belittling Wade Hawthorne.

It was simply achieving three goals in one move!

Angus Hawthorne cleared his throat, clearly appreciating the second brother’s words, "Jason has thought through things carefully; building villas by the sea is not a joke; we can’t invest for nothing..."

In a moment, everyone in the conference room understood that the helm of Aegis Group still belonged to Fourth Young Master Justin Hawthorne, his capability was evident and unassailable.

As soon as the meeting ended, Justin Hawthorne rushed to the airport...

On the way to the airport, Justin Hawthorne suddenly received a call from his special assistant Mason Cross, "BOSS, I just received two pieces of news, one good and one bad."

Justin Hawthorne was displeased with his suspense, "Speak."