Chapter 96

It was almost mealtime, but Nicolas still hadn't arrived. Stefan, mindful of Thea's presence, restrained his anger, though his face darkened considerably. Unable to press the issue in front of Stefan, Thea silently prayed for Nicolas's arrival. She discreetly signaled the butler, who produced a Go board. Smiling, Thea suggested a game with Stefan.

Luckily, she had researched Stefan's preferences beforehand. While not proficient, she had some experience with Go. Stefan was surprised. "You're interested in this? Few young people these days settle down to study Go."

Thea smiled frankly. "I wouldn't call it a passion. I learned it some time ago. Hearing you enjoyed it, I thought I'd try reconnecting with it. Your guidance would be a great help."

Her honesty impressed Stefan; a glimmer of appreciation appeared in his eyes. "You're so honest. Why not lie and say you've always liked Go?"

"No need to lie," Thea laughed. "As a younger person, it's my duty to understand and cater to the elders' interests. Lying would suggest ulterior motives." Stefan chuckled heartily.

The butler, standing nearby, visibly relaxed and gave Thea an approving look. Stefan, known as the most serious elder of the Hendrix family and rarely seen to smile, seemed genuinely pleased with Thea.

After several rounds of Go, Thea gently reminded Stefan it was time for the meal. Reluctantly, he stopped the game. Nicolas still hadn't arrived, giving Thea a growing headache. Thankfully, she had cheered Stefan up; he remained untroubled throughout the meal and retired afterward.

Despite this, Thea remained uneasy. As she was leaving, she cautiously asked the butler, "Is Stefan suspicious of what happened today?"

The butler shook his head slightly. "Mrs. Hendrix, rest assured. Even if Stefan were upset, he'd likely only give Mr. Hendrix a few harsh words. From what I saw today, he's quite fond of you. He's getting on in years, and his greatest wish is to see you and Mr. Hendrix together. The doctor says his health this year is far worse than before. If I may be personal, more frequent visits would mean a great deal to him. After all, with age, no matter how strong one once was…" Thea felt a pang of emotion, reminded of her own grandfather.

During Emmalie's early days at home, their household had been chaotic. Emmalie, though young, was shrewd, often tattling to their parents that Thea had bullied her. Ivy had sent Thea to live with her grandfather. That time had been one of Thea's happiest. But as her grandfather's health failed, Thea returned home. She understood that familial bond. Seeing Stefan's loneliness today saddened her.

She nodded. "Don't worry. Regardless of what happens between Nicolas and me, Stefan is my elder, and I will always visit and show him the respect and love he deserves."

The butler smiled. "I thought Stefan acted hastily in choosing you. But now, I believe in his judgment. He has sharp eyes; anyone he approves of must have good character." They reached the front door.

The butler asked tentatively, "Mrs. Hendrix, shall I arrange a car?"

Thea chuckled dryly. "No need. Stefan would notice. Nicolas will pick me up."

The butler nodded and left. Thea stepped outside, looked at the empty road, and felt a headache returning. For the first time, she mentally cursed Nicolas repeatedly.

A car slowly entered the Hendrix estate. Emmalie, looking out the window, spotted a familiar vehicle. Recognizing the license plate, she sighed softly. Ivy noticed. "What's wrong, Emmalie? Are you unwell?"

"I wanted to apologize to Thea, but haven't found her these past few days. I didn't expect to see her outside the Hendrix estate. It seems that, even though Thea says she's no longer involved with Jake, she still can't let go of him," Emmalie said.

Ivy was displeased. "Is Thea really going to estrange herself from us like this? What happened wasn't your fault. You couldn't have known that man had ulterior motives. If anyone's to blame, it's Thea for not being more cautious. Don't blame yourself."

Emmalie nodded obediently. "Mom, why don't we go find Thea? It would be better for the whole family to be together."

Ivy considered it but refused. "I brought you here to meet Stefan. Why involve her? She might offend him. Nicolas respects his father deeply. You should visit more often." Emmalie blushed. "Mom, don't tease me."

As Emmalie lowered her head to text, her smile vanished. All she needed to confirm was that Thea was alone.

Chapter 96

'Last time, she humiliated me in front of Max. I won't let that slide,' she thought.

Meanwhile, Thea was halfway home when it began to rain. Fortunately, she had already left the mountain road; ahead was a relatively open highway with little traffic. The rain intensified; she slowed down.

Just then, her phone vibrated. She pulled over to check it. As she lowered her head, the car window beside her shattered. Instinctively, Thea covered her head and looked up in shock. Through the rain, several men approached, armed and aggressive, each wearing a mask and raincoat.

Thea started the engine, but before she could drive far, headlights flashed. Two cars sped toward her, seemingly aiming for a head-on collision. She braked hard, avoiding a crash. Her phone continued vibrating, but Thea had no time to answer. She frantically pressed the power button, hoping to activate the emergency alarm.

The men surrounded her, breaking the window and unlocking the doors. One yanked the door open, roughly pulling Thea from the car. The cold rain pelted her. The chill was nothing compared to the coldness in her heart. Thea dug her nails into her palms, trying to remain calm. She watched as men crushed her phone.

Her voice trembled. "Whatever they're paying you, I can offer double."

A cold baseball bat pressed against her face. Thea shuddered, meeting eyes filled with murderous intent.