Chapter 144
Chapter 144
Charles meticulously adjusted his clothes in front of the mirror. “Emily, this is the first time you have prepared a birthday party for me. I’ve got to make a dignified
appearance and do you proud,” he said.
Emily knew Charles was shy to admit it, so she let it slide.
But Bob had been away for quite some time now, and since he rarely called back, Emily, too, was starting to grow concerned.
So, that evening, after returning to the Bennett villa, Emily called Bob.
The call connected almost instantly, and Bob’s voice, tinged with fatigue, came through.
His first words were filled with concern for Emily. “Ms. Harper, why are you calling me at this hour? Has something happened at The Bennett Family? Have they been giving you trouble again?”
“Don’t worry, Bob. I’m fine.” Emily reassured him.
“Thank goodness you’re alright.” Bob sighed in relief, but still gently advised, “If anyone gives you trouble, don’t just put up with it. You can’t rely on the others in The Bennett Family.
“Just go to Charles. He’ll definitely stand up for you. Since you’re home alone, avoid direct confrontations with The Bennett Family. Above all, be extra careful around Lydia. Never let your guard down with her.”
Emily found his last remark rather odd.
Even if Bob didn’t truly accept Lydia, he would still address her respectfully as Ms. Bennett. It was the first time Bob had addressed Lydia by her first name like this.
Emily’s voice tightened with sudden unease. “Bob, were you really visiting those students you sponsor?”
Bob was never one to be late when it came to Charles’ affairs. What was more, he knew exactly how important this birthday party was to Charles and had promised to return ahead of time.
But now, not only was Bob late, but the way he suddenly mentioned Lydia made Emily immediately recall what he’d told her before-the suspicious connection between Lydia and a man named Cale Harris.
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Chapter 144
Emily’s grip on her phone tightened. “Bob,” she asked, a sudden realization dawning on her, “are you investigating Cale?”
Though it was a question, Emily already knew the answer.
Back then, when Bob said he’d investigate the connection between Lydia and Cale, and then announced just two days later that he was going to visit the students he sponsored.
‘Bob is already so old, and his health isn’t much better than Grandpa’s. After all that running around, no wonder he sounded so tired when he answered the phone,’ Emily thought.
Guilt welled up in Emily’s heart, but Bob reassured her over the phone with a chuckle. “Ms. Harper, you are so clever and sharp now, not as easily fooled as when you were little.”
“Bob,” Emily said, her voice laced with both helplessness and heartache, “you could have let someone else handle these things. There was really no need for you to make the trip yourself.”
Bob chuckled softly on the phone, touched by her concern.
Then, as if recalling something, Bob’s tone grew serious. “Thank goodness I made the trip myself. Otherwise, some things might have gone unnoticed.”
Emily’s heart skipped a beat. “Bob, did you find anything?”
Bob went quiet for a moment as if carefully weighing his words.
After a long moment, he finally spoke, his voice grave. “This whole thing is complicated, and frankly, a little unsettling. I haven’t gotten to the bottom of it yet, but there’s definitely something wrong with Lydia.
“I managed to track down someone, and he told me some things about her.” Bob paused, his voice suddenly grave as he warned, “Ms. Harper, you absolutely must watch out for Lydia while you’re at the Bennett villa.”
“Lydia? What’s about her?” Emily’s breath hitched. She couldn’t help recalling what Bob had said about the connection between Cale and Lydia. An indescribable sense of unease crept over her.
She didn’t know why she was reacting like this. Even though Bob hadn’t said anything concrete, she felt as if layers of mist were parting before her, and she was on the verge of uncovering some profound truth.
