Chapter 481
Maybe there was something mixed into the IV drip to help her sleep, because despite thinking she’d have trouble sleeping, Aurora drifted off surprisingly fast.
While she rested peacefully, things on Lucas’ end were far from calm. He’d tried calling her, only to find her phone turned off. The two messages he’d sent had gone unanswered, vanishing into silence. He paced the room, tension written all over him; his anxiety was obvious. Unable to sit still any longer, he called Desmond. He needed to know where Aurora was. Whatever was going on, he hoped it wasn’t what he feared.
Desmond had already gotten home for the night. When he saw Lucas’ name lighting up his screen, he nearly blacked out on the spot. He wanted the world to end already. Why did everything always have to go sideways the moment he lay down to rest? He ran a hand through what little was left of his hair, sighed in surrender, and picked up. “Yes, sir? What’s going on? It’s late. What can I do for you?”
In real life, Desmond had plenty to complain about, but when speaking to Lucas, his tone stayed polite and professional, almost gentle. Lucas wasn’t interested in the small talk. “Cut it. I need you to track down Aurora now.”
“What? She’s not home?” Desmond blinked in confusion. Seriously, the two of them were made for each other; they were always up to something dramatic. It was the middle of the night – if she wasn’t home, then where could she be?
Lucas’ frown deepened. “Would I be calling you if she were?”
“Find her. I want an update tonight.” He hung up before Desmond could say another word.
Desmond sat there on the edge of his bed, staring at the screen in disbelief. With a helpless sigh, Desmond resigned himself to his fate. “Fine. I’m still getting paid for this, after all.” Judging by Lucas’ tone, things were urgent. And to be fair, Aurora had always treated him well; it was only right he tried to help. So, Desmond got to work.
Meanwhile, Lucas wasn’t sitting still either. He drove straight to Walton Corporation, only to find the building dark and shuttered. The security team was gone, the gates locked, the entire complex silent as the night. His grip tightened on the steering wheel. A cold sweat beaded at his temples. His mind was a knot of worry.
Back at the house, Wendy heard the engine start. She waited until she was sure Lucas had left before poking her head out from her room. He looked so anxious. Had something happened to her? That would be ideal. If that woman really was in trouble, then she deserved it. And if she never came back, all the better. Wendy wouldn’t have to lift a finger. Lucas would come to her willingly, just like that – with nothing more than a curl of her finger.
If Desmond could’ve heard what was running through Wendy’s head, he’d probably laugh himself hoarse. Even if Aurora never returned, Wendy would be the last woman Lucas would ever consider. She brought nothing to the table, no class and skill, yet still managed to be outrageously full of herself, constantly stirring up trouble. What man would marry a woman like that? To keep her as a decoration? A walking headache in a pretty dress? Besides, even if Wendy wanted to be a trophy wife, there were plenty of women far more beautiful than her – dozens, if not hundreds. Did she really think that just because of her brother’s connection to Lucas, she could coast through life on that alone? The very thought made Desmond want to laugh out loud. He’d been around Lucas long enough to know better. He had a keen eye for reading people, and Wendy was about as transparent as they came.
Meanwhile, Lucas came up empty. There was no sign or news of Aurora. All he could do now was wait and hope Desmond came back with something useful. But even Desmond wasn’t having much luck. He asked around, contacted several employees who had clocked out from Walton Corporation earlier that night. No one knew anything concrete. All they could confirm was that their General Manager had been working late. Beyond that, they knew nothing.