Chapter 329: A Secret Lover

At the Yeringham Hotel, Josephine questioned Tommy. "Tommy, tell me the truth. Where did Jared go?"

"I really don't know, Ms. Sullivan! He said he had urgent matters and left immediately," Tommy replied helplessly.

"But he hasn't returned since last night! I can't reach him! Did something happen to him?" Josephine asked, worry etched on her face.

"Maybe he has a secret lover! Guys like him aren't always faithful," Frida teased, a devilish grin spreading across her face.

"Frida! Don't be ridiculous! I don't think Jared is that kind of person!" Yasmin chided, lightly slapping Frida. Yasmin's opinion of Jared had changed; she believed a man of his caliber wouldn't be easily swayed.

"I agree!" Zeke chimed in. "I don't think Jared would do that either."

"I trust him, but I'm worried he might be in danger," Josephine said.

"Okay, let's stop worrying. Maybe he'll call soon. Let's go eat!" Zeke suggested.

The five of them left to find a restaurant. As they stepped onto the street, Tommy sensed danger. His brow furrowed, his heart racing.

"Ms. Sullivan, we're being followed. Go ahead with the others. Don't look back!" he whispered to Josephine.

Josephine, surprised, nodded and quickened her pace with Frida and Yasmin. Tommy braced himself, spun around, and saw three men approaching with smirks. They showed no alarm at being discovered.

"Who are you? Why are you following us?" Tommy demanded.

A scream—Josephine's—rang out. Tommy whirled around to see three more men confronting Josephine. Zeke, trembling, shielded the women, but they slowly backed toward Tommy.

"So, you're Jared?" one of the men, Wilbur Jantz (Tyrion's uncle), asked Zeke, mistaking him for Jared. He'd never met Jared.

"I—" Zeke began, but Tommy interrupted.

"What business do you have with Mr. Chance?" Tommy asked.

"To kill him, of course! Did he think he could cripple Tyrion and get away with it?" Wilbur replied coldly.

"You're Whitaker family!" Tommy shouted, tensing, and unfastening his belt.

"Tommy Lewis, right? Get lost, this doesn't concern you," Wilbur dismissed him.

"Such arrogance!" Tommy barked, lashing out with his belt. A fight was inevitable.

Wilbur didn't dodge; he grabbed Tommy's belt, yanked him forward, and punched him hard in the abdomen.

Tommy coughed, spitting blood, his ribs aching.

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