Chapter 242

The guards stopped Ingrid and Shaun, refusing to let them enter. Ingrid's patience snapped. Jabbing a finger at a guard, she demanded, "Do you know who we are? We're Mr. Everett's future in-laws! We're here to see our daughter. Let us in immediately!"

The guard's expression was grim. "I'm sorry. Mr. Everett instructed that no one can enter Sherane Bay Villa without his orders."

Another guard added politely, "That's right. No one is allowed in or out without Mr. Everett's permission."

Ingrid scoffed. "Are you blind? Open the door, or I'll have Bruce fire you!"

One guard responded, "Mr. and Mrs. Haynes, please call Mr. Everett. We need his explicit permission to let you in. Without his approval, we dare not disobey his orders."

Ingrid and Shaun's faces paled with anger. They'd visited Sherane Bay Villa many times before and were always welcomed. Now, they were barred entry.

Ingrid exclaimed, "Hubby, call Bruce! Tell him to fire these guards!" Despite her wealth, Ingrid still possessed a blunt, unrefined demeanor.

Shaun called Bruce. After several rings, Bruce answered, "Hello?"

"Bruce, it's me," Shaun said.

"What is it?" Bruce replied curtly.

Shaun sighed. "It's almost Christmas. I want to bring Roxy home. The guards won't let us in. Tell them to let us in, or let Roxy out!"

Bruce frowned. "I'm afraid that won't do. She's involved in a murder case."

Shaun was furious. "What nonsense? Roxy's been with you for six years. You know her character. How can you slander her like this?"

Bruce replied, "Don't worry, I'll investigate. If she's innocent, I won't wrong her. For now, she must remain at Sherane Bay Villa. The servants will attend to her needs."

Shaun's rage flared again. "Bruce, let Roxy out! She's pregnant! Your conflict will distress her. Let her come home for a few days. I'll take responsibility."

"No way," Bruce refused.

Shaun's anger boiled over. "I don't care if Roxy did something wrong. It's our job to discipline her, not yours. There's the justice system and the police. What are you doing restricting her freedom?"

Bruce frowned. He'd confiscated Roxanne's phone. How did Shaun and Ingrid know? Roxanne must have another phone.

Bruce said, "I don't want to explain. She's my daughter. I have the right to bring her home. If she doesn't come back, I'll call the police"

Bruce hung up before Shaun could finish.

Shaun shouted into the dead line, "Hello? Hello?"

Ingrid asked urgently, "What did he say?"

Shaun, furious, said, "He hung up!" He took deep breaths to calm himself. This was more serious than a petty argument.

"Call the police!" Shaun exclaimed.

Ingrid stopped him. "No! We can't!"

"Why?" Shaun asked, confused.

Ingrid explained that Roxanne had told her she was in trouble and hiding from the police. They couldn't call the police.

Shaun was baffled by Ingrid's reaction. "We have to call the police! Why are you so afraid?"

Ingrid pleaded, "If we call the police, we'll fall out with Mr. Everett! It's better to settle this privately. It's not worth breaking them up over this."

Shaun was frustrated. "You're still thinking about that now? What should we do then?"

Ingrid admitted, "I don't know." They were worried and flustered.

A guard leaned in and asked, "Mr. and Mrs. Haynes, what did Mr. Everett say?" (The final sentence about finding the novel online has been removed as it's not part of the text to be cleaned up).