Chapter 300

“He’s the chairman of Stephenson Group, the current patriarch of the Stephenson family,” Jason said. He then looked at Grace strangely. “Don’t you know who he is? Have you never heard Lina Sweeney mention him?”

Grace shook her head. She was certain she had never heard the name Hadwin Stephenson from her best friend. However, she knew Stephenson Group was not a local enterprise. They had corporations in Emerald City and were a famous shipping company.

Why was Lina associated with Hadwin Stephenson? What puzzled her most was the man’s earlier statement that Hadwin Stephenson had captured her. Did that mean Hadwin Stephenson was in the Maybach she’d seen earlier?

She’d thought her best friend had been kidnapped, but now it seemed different.

“Then… I’ll go find her!” Grace turned sharply, intending to follow the address she’d just heard.

“Do you think you can get in there?” Jason said lightly.

Grace hesitated. “Then… I’ll talk to the police first and ask them to take me with them.”

“In that case, I can guarantee you won’t get in.” Jason smiled gently, walking toward Grace. Looking at her as if she were a naive child, he said, “Do you know what Hadwin Stephenson is like? There are a hundred ways he can prevent you from seeing your friend.”

Grace didn’t know Hadwin Stephenson, so she could only look at Jason.

He explained, “Hadwin Stephenson was an illegitimate child of the Stephenson family, left abroad. His father had many sons, many born out of wedlock; only two were legitimate. How do you think a bastard, initially disregarded, could reach his current position?”

Grace’s heart sank. Jason hadn’t said much, but she understood Hadwin Stephenson’s character. A man like him couldn’t have become so successful without scheming. As a lawyer, she’d heard about wealthy families fighting over property and the unimaginable dark secrets they kept.

Grace looked at Jason. “Then… can you help me?”

He glanced at her. “Hadwin Stephenson won’t kill your friend.”

“I know, but…” Grace bit her lip, still worried. She wouldn’t be at ease until she saw Lina and understood why Hadwin Stephenson had taken her. “You can help me meet Hadwin Stephenson and get to the bottom of this.”

She knew Jason’s influence in Emerald City. He was her only hope.

He narrowed his eyes. She was begging him for Lina Sweeney, just as she had earlier at the police station. She seemed willing to do anything for Lina. Was it solely because Lina always helped with her cases? His mind raced, recalling her words about Lina. Was Lina Sweeney her lifeline, one she couldn't let go?

“Yes, I can take you to Hadwin Stephenson, but… why should I help you? I’ve helped you find Lina’s whereabouts and told you she’s not in danger. I’m a businessman; I won’t do anything that repeatedly causes me a loss,” Jason said darkly.

Grace’s face paled. What could she offer him in return?