Leaving the apartment, Asher tossed the breakfast bag into a rubbish bin downstairs, then coldly instructed his staff to investigate Drake. The results came back quickly. Drake had paid a substantial sum to the property management company for Kimberly’s detailed address information. Asher immediately had his legal team file a lawsuit against the property management company and summoned the company’s CEO.
The man was in his early forties, completely unaware of the trouble heading his way. He actually believed the CEO of Blackwood Industries had called him in to discuss a potential partnership. For someone so insignificant, Asher didn’t bother meeting him personally. The meeting was handled by Matt Ford, Asher’s assistant.
The man bowed obsequiously, his smile sycophantic. “Mr. Ford, has Mr. Blackwood summoned me today to discuss a potential collaboration with our company?”
Matt raised an eyebrow, contempt flashing in his eyes. “Why would Blackwood Industries collaborate with a company that casually sells residents’ private information?”
The man’s expression transformed like a turbulent sea, his face instantly darkening. “What? What do you mean selling residents’ information?”
Matt threw a stack of documents in front of the man. “Mr. Wood, take a good look. This is evidence of your company selling residents’ private information. Mr. Blackwood wanted you to fully understand the situation before your downfall.”
Firenze Wood’s hands trembled as he flipped through the documents. The more he read, the paler he became, cold sweat forming on his brow. “This… there must be some misunderstanding… I’ll have my staff verify this immediately!”
Matt smiled coldly. “That won’t be necessary, Mr. Wood. We’ve thoroughly investigated the evidence. You were the mastermind behind selling residents’ private information. Almost all of Drake Ashcroft’s payment went directly into your pocket. We’re proceeding with legal action. You were summoned here simply to be informed that from today onwards, you’ll face a series of difficulties. You’re likely to lose everything – all of your own making.”
The man turned deathly pale, his legs weakening and his voice trembling. “Please ask Mr. Blackwood to give me another chance. I’ll reform, I swear! I’m willing to offer half my assets as compensation!”
Matt gave a contemptuous laugh. “Do you honestly think Mr. Blackwood would be interested in that? Let me be perfectly clear: the resident whose information you sold to Drake Ashcroft is our CEO’s fiancée. Do you understand now?”
In an instant, Wood’s face turned ashen, his eyes filled with nothing but despair.
For the past few days, Kimberly had been incredibly busy, with court appearances daily and still finding time to help Mark file for workplace injury recognition and a capacity-for-work assessment. The weather forecast predicted an approaching cold front. Tomorrow would see a dramatic temperature drop, with lows expected around minus four degrees Celsius. The Bormen siblings had already been transferred to private rooms in a top-tier hospital. Kimberly had asked Lucy to buy down jackets, thick duvets, and electric blankets for them.
When Lucy returned after delivering these items, her eyes were rimmed with red. The young woman sniffled, her voice trembling with emotion. “Ms. Jordan, I’ve arranged everything as you requested.”
Kimberly was drafting documents on her computer. Hearing Lucy’s choked voice, she looked up and paused. “Why do you look as though you’re about to cry?”
Lucy pressed her lips together, her eyes misting over. “Teresa’s condition is deteriorating rapidly. The doctor says if they can’t find a compatible bone marrow donor, she might not make it through the winter.”
Kimberly’s hands froze over the keyboard, her eyelashes suddenly damp.
“Just wait a bit longer. I’ve already got people searching for a compatible donor. There will be one… I’m certain there will be,” Kimberly’s voice quivered slightly.
Lucy couldn’t hold back her tears. She looked at Kimberly with reddened eyes. “Ms. Jordan… if Teresa really…”
Before she could finish, Kimberly interrupted firmly: “That won’t happen! Teresa will be alright!”
Lucy choked back a sob, tightly pressing her lips together to force back her tears. Throughout the afternoon, Kimberly was noticeably distracted. She made time to place a phone call. “Still no suitable bone marrow match?”
The person on the other end replied: “Ms. Jordan, we’re searching with all our resources. If there’s any news, you’ll be the first to know.”
That evening, Asher came to pick Kimberly up from work, and they went to dinner together. At Rules, London’s oldest restaurant. Soft piano music played in the background of the elegant Victorian-style dining room. The finest Bordeaux and traditional game meat were served, with roses and candlelight creating a romantic atmosphere among the historic paintings and antique furnishings. Yet Kimberly was preoccupied, not even touching her cutlery as her roast grouse grew cold.
Asher looked at her with concern. “Kimmy, is something troubling you?”
Kimberly came back to herself, looking up at him and replying softly: “I took on a case recently. The client is a young man, just nineteen, whose parents are both deceased. He lives only for his sister.”
She sighed, her eyes sorrowful. “He left school early to work and support his sister’s education, but fate played a cruel trick on them. His sister was diagnosed with leukemia. She’s only eleven years old. The doctors say if they can’t find a matching bone marrow donor, she might not survive the winter.”
Asher asked: “Have you tried offering a substantial reward? In such situations, a high reward often quickly locates a compatible donor.”
Kimberly’s hand resting on the table tensed. She shook her head with a frown. “I considered that, but I’m concerned it might backfire. A high reward might attract unscrupulous individuals. You know what those black market operators are capable of for money.”
Asher gently reached over to hold her hand, his voice softening to comfort her. “Leave this to me. I promise to find a suitable donor without harming the donor in the process.”
Hope flashed in Kimberly’s eyes. “Really?”
“Yes.” Asher gently caressed her hand. “Trust me, Kimmy. Now, will you please eat something?”
The warmth of his hand was reassuring. “All right.” The young woman set aside her worries, the corners of her mouth curving into a meaningful smile. This was indeed something Asher could help with. Kimberly wasn’t short of money, but not everything could be solved with wealth alone. Sometimes, influence was necessary too.
After dinner, Asher took Kimberly back to the Tribeca flat. After spending some time with her at her flat, he returned to his residence around ten o’clock. Just as he parked his car and entered the main hall, Lucas called. “Sir, we have a lead. I’m outside now. May I come in to report?”
“Come in.”
Lucas entered, bringing the chill of the night air with him. Asher poured a glass of warm water, cradling it as he sat on the sofa, his eyes slightly cold. “Tell me.”
Lucas kept his head lowered, cautiously glancing up at Asher. “The people who abducted Vanessa are connected to Tom Malfoy.”
At the mention of this name, Asher’s eyes sharpened. “Tom Malfoy?”
Lucas nervously murmured an affirmative.