CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51: BUSINESS TRIP

Jean Ellison held the judgment paper, the edges nearly crumpled in her grasp, yet those thin sheets felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

It clearly stated that the custody was awarded to her.

She had won.

Jesse, her daughter, could finally return to her side.

This immense joy did not immediately transform into pure happiness, as it was followed by the tedious handover procedures, supervision and evaluation from the child protection agency, and... Jules Ellison.

In a blink, two days passed.

Jean held her phone and walked onto the small balcony.

The autumn sunlight filtered through the gaps between the drying clothes, carrying a touch of warmth.

She took a deep breath, as if trying to muster some courage, and found the name marked as "Lawyer Holden" in her contacts.

She dialed the number. The receiver emitted a monotonous and long waiting tone.

Beep... beep... beep...

Each sound struck Jean’s heart, causing her fingers to tighten slightly around the phone.

She even began rehearsing the opening of her conversation.

"Lawyer Holden, this is Jean Ellison. We won the case, Jesse is back, thank you..."

Just as her thoughts were churning, the waiting sound abruptly stopped.

The call connected.

Jean’s heart skipped a beat; the prepared words almost spilling out.

What came through the receiver, however, was a strange yet gentle male voice, with a hint of professional apology: "Hello?"

Jean was stunned.

All her rehearsed emotions and lines were shattered by this unfamiliar voice.

Instinctively, she glanced at her phone screen to confirm she hadn’t misdialed.

No mistake, it was Justin Holden’s number.

"Hello? Hi?" The other party inquired again, maintaining a calm and courteous tone.

"Uh... hello," Jean found her voice, tinged with obvious hesitation and confusion, "I’m looking for Lawyer Justin Holden."

"Oh, you’re looking for Lawyer Holden."

The voice sounded understanding, followed by a touch of formulaic regret.

"I’m very sorry, Lawyer Holden is currently out of the country on a business trip, dealing with an important cross-border merger case."

A business trip? Not in the country?

Jean frowned tightly.

At this moment?

So soon after the case ended, he left the country?

She had never heard him mention any urgent international business before.

"A business trip?" Jean repeated, her tone filled with disbelief, "May I ask when he left? How long will he be gone?"

"Lawyer Holden flew out urgently yesterday, in quite a hurry."

The male voice patiently explained, clearly either Justin’s assistant or a colleague.

"The exact return date is currently uncertain; the case involves many complex aspects. Conservatively, I’d say it will take several weeks. I’m his colleague, Samual Pryce. May I know who I’m speaking to? Is there something I should relay to Lawyer Holden? Or wait for a call back when he’s available?"

Yesterday... Jean’s heart sank a little.

The day right after the victory.

This timing, coincidentally tightens her chest.

"I’m Jean Ellison." She gave her name, her voice unconsciously lowering, "Nothing particularly urgent. Just wanted to tell him that the previous case... ended well, thank you. Also..."

She paused, then said, "Please have him call me back when convenient."

She concluded thus, her tone returning to calm.

"Alright, Ms. Ellison, I’ve noted your name and message."

Samual Pryce’s voice remained warm and courteous.

"I’ll make sure to inform Lawyer Holden as soon as he’s able to get in touch. Is there anything else you need help with?"

"No, thank you."

Jean’s voice was somewhat dry.

"You’re welcome, goodbye."

"Goodbye."

The call ended. The receiver now only echoed a busy tone, monotonous and hollow.

Jean stood with her phone on the balcony for a long time.

The warmth of the autumn sun seemed to lose its heat.

Justin Holden had gone on a business trip.

Just as she brought her daughter back, he left.

So abruptly, so silently.

Afternoon, the scheduled time.

In the hallway of the old apartment Jean rented, the crisp sound of high heels clacking on the concrete floor echoed, from far to near, with an air of reserve and deliberation incongruent with the old building.

Jean took a deep breath, tidied up her washed-out house clothes, and opened the door.

Standing outside was Jules Ellison.

She wore a well-tailored off-white cashmere suit, her makeup exquisite, hair meticulously gathered at the back, and was carrying a seemingly expensive small children’s suitcase.

Beside her leg stood a little girl in a pink tutu dress, her hair tied into two small pigtails.

After four years, Jean carefully looked at her daughter for the first time.

Jesse had grown a lot taller, her little face was fair, and her features as delicate as a doll, but those big, dark eyes were filled with a calmness beyond her age and a subtle confusion.

She quietly watched Jean, neither crying nor smiling, just looking.

"Jean,"

Jules spoke, her voice not high, carrying an air of scrutiny from above, her eyes scanning over Jean’s shoulder, unreservedly sweeping the room’s worn-out walls, the chipped wooden door frame, and the small space.

"I’ve brought Jesse as agreed."

She deliberately emphasized the word "brought."

"Cousin," Jean tried to keep her voice steady as she stepped aside, "please come in."

Her gaze, however, was glued to Jesse, her heart tightening with pain.

Jules entered holding Jesse’s hand. Jesse was well-behaved, not running around, just curiously looking around this unfamiliar, small space.

Jules’s gaze paused briefly on the slightly worn fabric sofa, her brow furrowed imperceptibly, seemingly finding it dirty, ultimately choosing not to sit, just standing in the center of the room like inspecting.

"The place is somewhat..."

Jules elongated the tone, her lips curling with undisguised derision.

"Run-down, can’t compare to where you used to stay indeed."

She looked down, seemingly gently saying to Jesse.

"Jesse, it must be tough for you, staying here temporarily, but don’t worry, if you ever want to go home, just call mommy, or let the driver pick you up, mommy will be waiting at home."

Jesse looked up at Jules, then at Jean, didn’t speak, just held onto the small suitcase a bit tighter.

Jean’s heart was pricked sharply, like being pierced with a needle.

She pressed down the surging emotions, went to Jesse, squatted, aligning her gaze with Jesse’s.

"Jesse,"

Her voice a little shaky, attempting to muster a gentle smile.

"I’m mommy, from now on, this will be our home."

She reached out, wanting to touch her daughter’s cheek, fingers pausing just before touching the soft skin, with cautious probing and uncertain timidity.

Jesse looked at the hand extended toward her, then at Jean’s eyes filled with tension and anticipation, she neither dodged nor responded, merely nodded lightly, speaking softly.

"Mm."

The sound was thin, like a feather.

Jean’s heart settled slightly.

At least, her daughter didn’t reject her.

Jules watched, a faint cold snort slipping past her nose.

She placed Jesse’s suitcase down, crossing her arms, posture arrogant.

"Alright, she’s here, Jean, there’re a few things I need to make clear to you."