Ch. 391..400

Chapter 391 The Truth of Suicide

Eva had only stepped outside to defend herself after overhearing some harsh words, but she hadn't anticipated these girls would attack her family so directly. She clenched her teeth and shot them a piercing look. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, did I hit a nerve? It figures someone from a messed-up family like yours would side with Michael. You two are a pair of oddballs."

"And if you were with Michael, who do you think would be the first to stray?"

Before Eva could respond, a deafening thud sounded behind her. She spun around to find a gaping hole punched in the school's metal trash can.

Standing there, with a frosty demeanor, was Michael.

His glare was icy as it swept from Eva to the gossiping girls, and then, incongruously, his lips curled into a smirk.

"If you're dying to know, why don't you ask my fists?"

"Psycho!" The girls recoiled at his sudden appearance and scurried away, muttering curses.

Once they were gone, Michael approached Eva. The intense aggression had evaporated from his face, replaced again by the gentle, innocent boy she knew.

"Why stick your neck out for me? They were trash-talking me, not you. Why'd you even bother?"

Eva's brow knitted in frustration. "They were wrong about me, so I spoke up. What's it to you?"

With that, she turned and walked away.

Michael escorted her home that day.

It was the first and last time she saw Michael lose his cool. He never let it happen again.

At the time, the confrontation seemed like just a blip in Eva's life. But in hindsight, she realized Michael's upbringing must have been rough.

A fractured family can be worse than a single-parent home. At least she had her father's unwavering love.

Lost in thought, Eva faced David. "I know some stuff. So what?"

David got the message.

"Seems like Ms. Hansen isn't fully in the loop."

"I know enough about his family drama from school."

"Do you know his mom killed herself shortly after they moved overseas?"

The word "suicide" made Eva's heart lurch. "What did you say?"

"You didn't know."

Eva was silent. She truly had no clue. She knew the Coopers had left for abroad, but that was the last she'd heard.

She had seen Michael years later, seemingly stable. She had assumed they'd patched things up.

Curiosity about their private affairs felt invasive, so she never pried. She never imagined his mother had taken her own life. "Was it because of... that affair?" She wanted to ask about the affair but stopped short in front of Dylan.

David caught on and nodded.

"His mother was devastated, and it pushed her over the edge. We can talk more later if you want."

Eva realized this wasn't a conversation for young ears.

"Sure, find some time to fill me in."

"Will do, Ms. Hansen."

They continued down the hall towards the villa.

From a distance, Eva saw Michael waiting at the door with Ruby by his side.

Unruffled by her approach, Michael's concern was apparent. "You made it. You don't look so good. Are you feeling alright?" Despite his surveillance, he always played it cool. Eva was about to snap back but remembered David's news. She bit her tongue. Never mind. Arguing won't help.

Ruby, meanwhile, leapt into Eva's arms. "Mommy!"

Eva noticed Ruby's reddened eyes. "What's wrong, sweetie?"

Ruby sniffled. "I don't feel good."

"Let's get you some hot cocoa later, okay?"

Ruby nodded.

Michael had clearly been taking care of her.

A man approached, introducing himself. "Hello, Ms. Hansen. I'm Steven, your butler. Anything you need, just ask."

Eva remained stoic. Steven hadn't done anything wrong, but the sadness was too fresh.

She didn't need to ingratiate herself with anyone here. Any issues with the staff were Michael's problem.

Steven, misreading her coldness, touched his head, puzzled.

Michael intervened. "They've had a long journey. Let's let them rest."

Steven quickly apologized for his oversight and led them to their rooms.

Eva dismissed the opulence of her room, kicked off her shoes, and collapsed onto the bed. It was soft and bounced comfortingly.

If only this were a holiday and not a gilded cage.

She was about to drift off when there was a knock at the door.

"Who is it?"

"Ms. Hansen, it's me," David called from outside.

Why him?

Eva sat up. "Come in."

David entered, and Eva moved to the couch.

"Mr. Cooper's out, so let's talk. Brace yourself, though."

Eva braced for the worst. What could be more harrowing than suicide?

 

Chapter 392 Never Love Him Again

Chapter 392 Never Love Him Again

After about ten minutes, David left Eva's room.

After he left, Eva sank into deep silence on the sofa.

With such things happening, it's no wonder Michael's personality is abnormal.

It turned out that, in addition to multiple suicide attempts, Michael's mother also had a period of madness. She not only spoke nonsense, but she also harmed her own son.

Michael endured her beatings and numerous injuries, perhaps out of pity for his mother's young age and madness. He didn't fight back or make a fuss.

It was Grandpa Cooper who found out and rescued him.

The day Grandpa Cooper took him away, Michael's mother committed suicide, shocking the entire Cooper family.

Unlike Michael's father, Grandpa Cooper always valued his character. So he immediately took over Michael's father's power and then took the young Michael away.

He saw Michael as the next heir of the Cooper Group. As for the mistress who was pregnant and wanted to enter the wealthy family, Grandpa Cooper intended to get rid of her directly. However, because she was pregnant, he spared her and took her for a paternity test. After the test confirmed that the child belonged to the Coopers, she was allowed to stay.

During this period, Michael, who had suffered from the trauma caused by his family and mother, had no one to comfort him. He only had day after day of heir training. In the end, Michael did grow into a qualified heir, but his heart turned cold. As for why David thought he was crazy, it all started with the mistress who gave birth to a daughter. Because she hadn't given birth to a son, the mistress didn't give up. After giving birth to a daughter, she became pregnant once again. After becoming pregnant again, the mistress wanted to show off in front of Michael. However, her young daughter didn't understand things and saw Michael every day. She even considered him as family, so she wanted him to hold her. The little girl had already been around for several years. She stood by Michael's side, stretching out her small hand, asking to be held. Michael, with a smile on his lips, touched the girl's face and asked, "Who told you to call me that?" "Who told you to call me that?" Since he didn't get a response, Michael asked again patiently.

Unfortunately, the little girl still couldn't answer. Michael smiled faintly and said, "Is this the waste that she went all out to give birth to? She's already several years old and can't even understand a simple question."

When David, who was following behind him, heard this question, he didn't know how to respond for a moment because it was too awkward. He actually wanted to say that a few-year-old child shouldn't have such high expectations, especially if they're half-siblings. If this was Michael's full-blooded sister, would he still call her a waste?

But at this point, it was still just words. However, afterwards, the little girl wanted to crawl into his arms for a hug. And at that moment, Michael calmly pushed her away.

The child fell to the ground and cried out, not understanding anything except the pain. This child had strong genes. Despite being born from a mistress, she had no resemblance to her at all. On the contrary, she resembled Michael's father. In other words, this little girl had similar features to Michael, so much so that outsiders would mistake them for siblings.

Doubt started to arise.

After the little girl cried, Michael squatted down and watched her crying as if he was watching a play, shedding tears. Though the sound of a child's crying is extremely irritating, he seemed to be enjoying some sort of melodious tune. When he had had enough enjoyment, he would signal for someone to cover the child's mouth and then take her away. Since then, the child had never come to see Michael again.

This incident made David feel like Michael was in a crazy state.

At least mentally, he didn't seem quite normal.

He should see a psychiatrist, but David didn't dare to suggest it. He was afraid that he might also end up in trouble.

Eva couldn't understand Michael's state of mind at this point. Did he lock himself up simply because he liked her, or was it because he couldn't bear to see her being taken away?

Thinking about this, Eva pinched her eyebrows. If he had psychological issues, things would certainly become a bit more complicated.

After staying in her room for a while, Eva went to her two children and stayed with them.

Before long, a housekeeper came to find her, saying that some pre-dinner desserts had been prepared in the kitchen and inviting them to come downstairs and enjoy them.

Eva hesitated for a moment. Instead of accepting the invitation, she asked the housekeeper, "Where is Michael? I want to see him."

"Well, Mr. Cooper went out for something," the housekeeper replied.

Eva noticed a flicker of uneasiness on Steven's face when she asked this question.

She instantly became wary and asked, "What happened? Why did he go out?"

But Steven had already regained his composure. "Ms. Hansen, I'm not quite sure. I'm just a housekeeper, and I'm not privy to his personal schedule."

Didn't the housekeeper know his schedule?

Eva sneered inwardly. "Fine, since you don't know his schedule, forget it then."

Steven asked, "Ms. Hansen, what about the desserts?"

"No need, we're not hungry, and you don't need to call us for meals."

Steven felt like he had offended her just now. He didn't know what else to say and left.

After the door closed, Ruby immediately embraced Eva's waist tightly.

Eva lowered her gaze and found it somewhat amusing. "What's wrong? Aren't you usually fond of desserts? Why didn't you react at all today?" Ruby whispered, "Uncle Michael was so mean to mommy. I don't like him anymore."

Upon hearing this, Eva paused. "How can you say he's mean?"

"I kept crying to come back and find you, but he refused. He is a bad person!"

A bad person.

These words touched a nerve in Eva.

Originally, Michael should have been a trustworthy and dependable figure for the two children, but now he had become a bad person.

 

Chapter 393 Have You Found Him?

Eva's heart was heavy; the thought of her relationship with Michael souring like this was unbearable.

"Mommy, do we have to stay with Uncle Michael? Can't we visit Uncle NightA instead?" Ruby's voice was hopeful.

Eva tightened her hug and whispered back, "Sure, honey. We'll find a time to see Uncle NightA."

Meanwhile, Emily was racked with worry. Had she managed to reach Adrian? Was he aware of her and the child's situation?

They had raced to the coordinates Eva provided immediately after their plane touched down.

Once their car pulled up in front of the hotel, Emily double-checked the landmarks Eva had described and confirmed they were accurate. Impressed by Eva's sharp eye, Emily unbuckled and stepped out of the vehicle.

She was about to stride toward the hotel when Nathan's firm grip stopped her.

"Wait. We can't just barge in," he cautioned.

"Why not? Am I supposed to just sit around here doing nothing?" Emily's voice trembled with urgency.

Nathan gave her a measured look. "I'll go check it out. Stay here and wait for my signal. If I'm not back in thirty, call the cops."

"But you can't go alone!" Emily protested, her fear evident.

Nathan's grip tightened reassuringly. "Emily, if we both go in and things go south, who's gonna call for backup? We need someone on the outside."

She knew he was right, but her loyalty to Eva tugged at her. "It should be me. You wait here."

Nathan gave her a look of gentle exasperation. "Honestly, do you think you can stay cool-headed in there? What if it gets physical?"

She hesitated, the reality of the situation sinking in. "I... might not be the best in a fight."

"So, are we done with the heroics now?"

"Fine. You go. But after twenty minutes, I'm calling 911."

Nathan nodded, his demeanor calm. "There's a café across the street. Wait there. And remember, don't follow me. If I'm not out, call the police, no heroics."

He seemed to sense her impulsive streak and added firmly, "Got it? No rash moves."

Emily wanted to argue, to insist that she was capable, but she swallowed her pride and nodded. "Okay, I get it. Just... be careful."

With a reassuring smile, Nathan headed toward the hotel.

Emily watched him go, her heart in her throat. She couldn't argue; he was here because he chose to help. "Just... keep safe. And look after Eva."

Nathan's smile widened slightly at her concern. "Will do."

Once he was out of sight, Emily took his advice and settled into a café seat by the window. She ordered a coffee but ignored it, her attention fixed on the hotel. Minutes ticked by slowly. Five... ten... Nathan was still inside. Had Eva been found out?

A waiter's offer of a refill snapped her back to reality. She hadn't touched her coffee.

"No, thanks," she declined, then reconsidered. It would look odd to sit without touching her drink. "Actually, could I get some dessert instead? Coffee on an empty stomach doesn't sit well with me." She nibbled at the dessert when it arrived, forcing herself to look casual, then washed it down with a few sips of the now-lukewarm coffee.

Her focus returned to the hotel. Only five more minutes. She'd have to call the cops if Nathan didn't appear soon.

Eva had asked her not to involve the police, but Emily would do what she must.

Her phone's ring nearly made her jump out of her skin. She grabbed it, seeing Nathan's name.

"Stingy guy?" she blurted out, then clapped a hand over her mouth. She'd just used his nickname without thinking. There was a brief pause, then Nathan's voice came through, "Come over."

"Really? Can I? Did you find Eva?"

"No," he replied, his tone level. "The hotel room's empty. Looks like she's been gone a while."

Emily hung up and dashed across the street.

Nathan was waiting at the doorway, looking slightly bemused with the hotel staff at his side.

"That's the place," he said simply.

Emily swept past them into the room. It was clearly vacant.

"Any clues?" she asked.

"Let's look around."

They searched meticulously but turned up nothing.

"This isn't like Eva. She would've left something behind if she was in trouble," Emily said, knowing her friend's resourcefulness. "Which means someone's cleaned up after her," Nathan concluded.

They went back to the staff. "Did anyone return after they checked out?"

"No, they left and didn't come back," a staff member replied.

"But what?" Emily sensed there was more to the story.

"Well, after they left, another group came by. They were... different. Tougher," the staff member said, uncertain.

"A different group?" Emily's mind raced. "Could they be Michael's enemies?"

Nathan caught her eye. "Emily, have you reached out to Adrian?"

Emily hesitated, a thought dawning on her. "You mean..."

"With Adrian's resources, he might've beaten us here."

Hope flickered in Emily's eyes. "That would be a relief. I was afraid..."

"Let's not waste any more time." Nathan was already heading out the door. Emily followed, her spirits lifting slightly with the possibility of a new ally in their search.

 

Chapter 394 A Reluctant Heart-to-Heart

Eva had been waiting for Michael, but as time ticked by, his absence began to feel increasingly odd. He had been the one to bring her here, and now he was nowhere to be found. What could he possibly have to deal with that would keep him away for so long? Even the butler seemed to be hiding something, his expressions betraying him. What on earth had happened?

Determined to get some answers, Eva decided to step out. She couldn't just sit and wait for her fate to unfold. After making sure the two little ones were okay together, she stood up to go out. To her surprise, just as she stepped out, she ran into Michael, who was coming toward her. He had changed his clothes and taken off his glasses.

Upon seeing Eva, Michael's face, usually devoid of expression, lit up with a smile.

"Eva," he greeted her, his voice warm.

Eva took in his changed appearance and asked, "Where did you go?"

"I stepped out to take care of something," Michael replied, his tone nonchalant.

"Did you have to change clothes for that?" Eva inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Michael hesitated for a moment, then offered a gentle smile. "I see you noticed. I didn't think you paid that much attention to what I wear. I'm happy."

Eva was taken aback by his deflection but didn't let it deter her. "Are you free now? I have something to tell you."

Michael's astonishment was evident. "You want to talk to me? Of course, I'm free. I'm always free for you."

Eva's voice was cold. "Then let's find a quiet place to talk."

"Where do you want to go?" Michael asked, ready to follow her lead.

"This is your home," Eva reminded him.

"Let's go downstairs and talk over a meal," he suggested.

"I'm not hungry," Eva said, scanning the area. She noticed an open-air balcony nearby. "Let's talk there."

"Sure, wherever you prefer," Michael agreed, nodding. As they walked toward the balcony, Michael took off his coat and placed it over Eva's shoulders. "It's cooler outside. Wear this."

Eva initially wanted to shrug off the coat, but thinking about the conversation ahead and the trials he had endured as a teenager, she decided to keep it on.

They arrived at the balcony, enveloped by the darkness of the night. The villa, nestled in the mountains, was shrouded in silence, with only the scent of grass and earth in the air.

"I already know everything about your situation," Eva began, her voice steady.

Michael looked puzzled. "What situation?"

"Your mother's situation," Eva clarified, cutting straight to the heart.

Michael's smile faded, and his face stiffened slightly. "After returning to America, you never mentioned the past. It wasn't appropriate to ask, and you've kept your experiences to yourself all these years."

Michael stopped looking at her, his gaze drifting off into the distance. His face remained unreadable, but Eva could feel a change in his demeanor, a sudden chill in the air.

"Eva, not everyone deserves to know my story," he said quietly.

"Not even your close friends?" she pressed.

"Close friends?" Michael's voice took on a bitter edge. "Are you referring to those who tried to steal my woman?"

Eva's frown deepened, but before she could respond, Michael stepped closer. His breath was cool against her face as he spoke, "Eva, I didn't want to tell you, but I didn't expect you to find out on your own. Did David tell you?"

Eva felt a coldness emanating from him, a detachment that seemed to put an invisible barrier between them. "I wanted to know about it. It has nothing to do with him," she insisted.

Michael's gaze softened as he looked at her. "Eva, no matter what, you will always be the kind one."

In his youth, he didn't care about the gossip and rumors. When those girls were gossiping, Eva could have ignored it, walked away, but instead, she stood up for him, defended him. How could he let go of a woman like that? She was like the sun, and he was the demon in the dark. Who in the dark doesn't yearn for the light?

"This has nothing to do with kindness," Eva countered. "I asked him myself, and now you're holding it against me. What else could he do?"

"Hmm," Michael nodded, as if conceding the point. "If you put it that way, it is indeed a good explanation."

Despite his words, Eva felt that he didn't really care about her explanation. She shouldn't be thinking about that now; she would deal with it later. Right now, his heart was the problem.

"During that time..." Eva began, biting her lip. "If you need it, we can all be there for you as friends. Even though it has been many years, but..."

"Eva," Michael suddenly interrupted, his usually calm demeanor slipping. "That matter is in the past. Let's not bring it up again, okay? When you're with me, I won't let anything come between us, and I won't treat you like my father treated my mother. I will be a good husband and a good father."

He had no intention of discussing the matter further.

It seemed his heart was truly closed off.

"Michael, I believe you will be a good husband and a good father, but you shouldn't waste all your time and energy on me. I can't give you what you want. Do you understand?"

"The wind is strong outside, and it's getting late. Steven told me you haven't eaten yet. Why don't you go downstairs and have something to eat?"

"No matter how you restrict me, my heart will never be with you. Didn't I make that clear?"

"It seems like you're really not hungry today. In that case, I'll have Steven bring some desserts to your room later. You can have a little to fill your stomach and then rest." He really doesn't listen.

No, he should have listened, but he refused to communicate with her.

The two of them talked about their own things without interfering with each other.

This made Eva feel exhausted.

She simply stood still, closed her eyes in resignation, and said, "If you refuse to communicate with me, I won't see you again."

 

Chapter 395 Are You Going to Have Someone Track Me Down?

Michael finally broke the silence, addressing Eva's pointed words.

"Eva, given that we're living together, it's inevitable that we'll cross paths," he said with a calm that belied the tension between them.

"Is that supposed to justify your actions? We still have a chance to reset, to at least remain friends. Why let it deteriorate to the point of no return?" Eva's voice was a mix of exasperation and plea. Michael closed the gap between them, his hand on her shoulder firm, yet not forceful. "Eva, I will never willingly let go of you."

Before she could react, he lifted her with an ease that spoke of his resolve and strode toward the bedroom.

Eva's heart pounded with a mix of fear and anger. She writhed against his hold, but it was like trying to escape the tide - inevitable and fruitless.

Powerless, she watched the room approach, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

As they neared the bed, Eva's voice sharpened with a clear warning. "What are you thinking? Michael, I mean it - if you overstep, I will fight back with everything I have."

Michael paused, his steps halting as if her words had erected a barrier. He looked at her, a hint of pain in his eyes. "Eva, am I that kind of man to you? Do you truly believe I would force myself on you?" "Can I be sure?" Eva countered, seizing the moment to break away as he loosened his grip. Her coat slipped from her shoulders and fell to the floor, a soft but significant thud in the quiet room.

Michael's gaze followed the coat to the ground, and he stooped to pick it up, his movements slow, almost reluctant.

"If it's against your will, I won't pursue it," he said gently, standing back up with the coat in his hands.

"Really? Then let me and my children leave," Eva demanded, her voice steady yet laced with an undercurrent of desperation.

"Except for this, I can agree to anything else. Get some rest. Good night," Michael replied, his voice a quiet echo in the room as he turned and left.

The door closed with a soft click, and Eva was left alone, her breathing still erratic from the confrontation.

If he had truly intended to harm her, would she have been able to defend herself? And when would she be free to leave this place?

Rest was out of the question. Eva got up and began to pace the room. Situated on the second floor, the windows and balcony were secured with burglar-proof glass, a clear message that escape was impossible.

She had to check on Ruby and Dylan. Their room was a mirror image of her own, a testament to Michael's meticulous planning.

The realization sent a chill down her spine. Had Michael orchestrated this entire situation long before now?

The thought was unsettling.

"Mummy?" The voices of her children interrupted her spiraling thoughts.

Eva shook off her fear and put on a brave face. "You two need to sleep. I have something to take care of, so I'll be stepping out. Dylan, you're the man of the room now, okay?"

The tense atmosphere had subdued the children, and they nodded, their usual energy dampened by the gravity of the situation.

Eva left the room and made her way downstairs. She needed to understand the layout of the house, to see what areas were still accessible. Michael was probably dealing with David, and although she didn't know what David would face, she had to believe he was ready for any consequences.

Her feelings for David were complex. At first, she had seen him as an accomplice to Michael's misdeeds, but now, she wondered if he was an unwilling participant, coerced into his role as Michael's right-hand man.

As she descended the stairs, Steven appeared. "Ms. Hansen, can I get you anything? Are you looking for a late-night snack?"

Eva dismissed him with a wave of her hand. "I'm not hungry," she said, her tone dismissive.

Steven looked puzzled, clearly not understanding her motives. "Then what brings you down here?"

"I couldn't sleep and wanted to stretch my legs," Eva replied, her voice betraying a hint of her inner turmoil.

"Would you like me to accompany you?" Steven offered, ever the dutiful servant.

"No, thank you. I prefer solitude," Eva responded, her voice firm.

Steven hesitated, then spoke up cautiously. "It's quite dark outside, and some areas aren't well-lit."

Eva's response was icy. "Are you insinuating that I can't find my way around?"

Quick to remedy his misstep, Steven retrieved a flashlight from a nearby cabinet. "Please take this. It'll help you see in the darker areas."

Eva accepted the flashlight, her expression unreadable. "You're not going to have someone follow me, right?"

Steven's smile was reassuring. "You have my word, Ms. Hansen. You can walk freely. I won't have anyone track you."

Eva understood the implication of his words: she could walk wherever she wished within the villa's confines, but ultimately, she was still a prisoner within these walls. Nevertheless, she took the flashlight, determined to find a way out. After Eva left, Steven made a phone call.

"Mr. Cooper, Ms. Hansen has decided to take a walk. I've given her a flashlight. Is that okay?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. Then a voice replied, "Let her go. She'll come back."

"Understood, Mr. Cooper."

True to their words, Eva returned after about an hour, her clothes bearing the marks of her futile attempt to find an escape route.

Steven greeted her with a smile that seemed to mock her efforts. "Ms. Hansen, welcome back. Was your walk refreshing? Or perhaps you've worked up an appetite now?"

His tone was polite, but the implication was clear: her attempt to escape had been nothing more than a wasted effort.

Eva smiled thinly at Steven and then went upstairs, her mind already racing with plans for her next move.

 

Chapter 396 He is Faster Than We Thought

Eva wasn't the only one with a troubled mind that night.

Emily and Nathan were lost in thought as well.

The clock had long since passed midnight, and although they had booked separate rooms, Emily found herself restless, her mind preoccupied with Eva's predicament. Post-shower, she decided to seek out Nathan for a discussion. She found him fresh from the shower as well, clad only in a towel wrapped around his waist, his chest bare.

Nathan opened his mouth to greet her, but Emily, charged with urgency, breezed past him into the room, apparently unfazed by his state of undress.

Without preamble, she launched into her concerns about Eva.

"Where do you think they've taken her?" Emily paced the room, her voice laced with worry. "I haven't really kept in touch with Michael over the last five years. If I knew him better, maybe I could guess his moves, figure out where he might've taken Eva."

Nathan lingered by the door, a silent statue, as Emily seemed oblivious to his bare chest.

He gave her a bemused look, wondering if she was simply that unbothered or if she didn't see him in a romantic light at all.

With a mental shrug, Nathan closed the door and grabbed a robe from the closet.

The last thing he needed was for her to snap back to reality and accuse him of indecent exposure.

Donning the robe and cinching it at the waist, he left a hint of his chest exposed.

Emily, meanwhile, was deep into her monologue in the room.

It took her a moment to realize her soliloquy had been met with silence. By the time she turned to Nathan, he was decently robed, and she couldn't pinpoint anything amiss. "Why haven't you said anything?" she asked, a hint of frustration in her voice.

Nathan settled in front of her, his expression serious. "Guesswork isn't going to find her."

Her energy deflated at his words. In the sprawling urban jungle, finding someone without solid leads was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Nathan, sensing her despondency, poured a glass of water and took a sip, mulling over their next move.

"Aren't you going to report it?" he finally asked.

Emily's hesitation was palpable. She had initially followed Eva's advice not to involve the police, but they were getting nowhere fast. Could she really justify not reporting it any longer? "Have you tried reaching out to Adrian again?" he prompted.

"Right, I should call Adrian." Emily pulled out her phone and dialed. Previous attempts had gone unanswered, and she braced for more of the same.

To her surprise, the call connected, and a familiar, cool voice answered.

"Hello."

It had been five years, but she recognized Adrian's voice instantly.

A brief pause as she collected herself. "Adrian? It's Emily. You've picked up. Eva's been..."

She intended to explain Eva's abduction, but Adrian cut her off. "I know what you're about to say."

"You do?" Confusion laced her question. How could he know?

"Yes."

"Then you'll help? Do you know where she is?" she pressed.

"Where are you now? I'll send a car," Adrian replied, all business.

"We're at the last place she was seen," Emily said, deliberately vague, testing him.

Without asking for specifics, Adrian simply acknowledged and said a car would be there shortly.

After the call, Emily was visibly shaken. Nathan, with a wry smile, observed, "Looks like he was ahead of us."

"But how come we couldn't get through to him?" Emily wondered aloud.

"Maybe he was on a flight," Nathan suggested.

That made sense. Adrian knew about Eva but couldn't answer mid-flight. Once landed, why hadn't he checked his messages, though?

Emily's thoughts spiraled, but she pushed them aside. "Let's get ready and head downstairs."

She returned to her room to gather her things, leaving Nathan with a few brisk instructions. Nathan watched her go, a mix of emotions crossing his face before he started to pack. Within ten minutes, Adrian's car arrived - a sleek black sedan that cut through the night. Inside, Nathan and Adrian exchanged curt nods, a silent acknowledgment between them. Adrian's nod to Emily was equally brief.

"When did Eva last contact you?" he inquired.

Emily recounted the timeline and her failed attempts to reach him.

"Didn't you think not answering could lead to missed emergencies? If Eva hadn't called today..."

"I wouldn't let anything happen to her. I was on a flight," Adrian cut in, his tone defensive.

"But after landing? You didn't check your messages?" Emily's tone was accusatory, her patience thin.

Adrian's response came after a moment's reflection, his expression contrite. "I apologize. I got a message about her being here and rushed over. I didn't check my phone." Emily had braced for an argument, not an apology, and his contrition took her aback.

 

 

Chapter 397 Sending People Out

She had braced herself for Adrian's trademark indifference, the same cold detachment he had five years ago when she half-expected him to shrug off any concern with a dismissive "So what?" Back then, Adrian was exactly that type of man-aloof, unapproachable.

Yet, to her surprise, he apologized.

Emily was momentarily speechless. She waved her hand, as if to swat away the awkwardness of the moment.

"When we got to the hotel to find her, the room was already turned over. The staff said a group had beat us to it, rummaged through everything. Was that you?" she asked.

Adrian nodded. "I found a few of her things," he admitted.

"What things?"

He hadn't brought Eva's coat-it was too bulky. Instead, he'd pocketed the earring she'd left in the closet. Eva was clever that way, leaving something in plain sight to throw off a cursory search while tucking away smaller items. "Her earring, the one I gave her!" Emily gasped, recognizing it instantly. "You found this in her room?" "Yes."

"Do you know where she is now?" Emily's grip tightened on the earring, her eyes misting over. "Eva told me not to involve the police, but with things as they are, should we really keep them out of it? Yet, if I do call them and something happens to Michael, will she ever forgive me?"

"Don't call the cops?" Adrian's eyes narrowed at her words. "Did she tell you that herself?"

Emily suddenly grasped the weight of her admission. Adrian was Michael's adversary; if he knew Eva had insisted on not calling the police, how would he react?

Rushing to clarify, she said, "Yes, she did, but I agreed. Michael has looked after her for five years. His recent actions are just... out of character. He hasn't hurt her. If we get the police involved and Michael gets hurt, how would Eva cope with that?"

Adrian's jealousy flared at the mention of not calling the police. He hadn't called them either, confident in his own resources to handle the situation. This was a private matter, after all, with a history entangled with Michael's. Escalation was the last thing he wanted.

"Did you hear me? Don't call the cops. If something happens to Michael, it'll complicate things between you two," Adrian said, his gaze icy.

His demeanor suggested concession, even if he didn't agree.

Emily shrank back next to Nathan, unnerved. "See how intense he is? I can't fathom what Eva sees in him."

Nathan remained stoic, even as a subtle scent wafted from Emily's proximity.

Adrian, noting their closeness, remarked, "To each their own, I guess."

Emily couldn't help but roll her eyes at the platitude.

After a moment, she ventured, "You seem calm. Got a plan?"

"Search," was Adrian's terse reply.

Search, of course, but where in this sprawling city?

"It's like looking for a needle in a haystack," she muttered.

Adrian's silence was a frustrating contrast to his steely expression. Emily was about to retort when Nathan's glance stopped her. Their eyes met, and she typed a message on her phone, "What now?"

Nathan's reply came written below hers: "Do you think he's not worried? If he were, would he be sitting here so composed?" Emily had to admit Nathan's point made sense. Adrian had more reason to be anxious than she did.

Even if he wasn't concerned for Eva, there was his child to consider.

His confidence meant she didn't need to fret.

Adrian found a temporary safe place for them before leaving.

Jacob, too, reassured her, "If you need anything, let me know. Stay put for now."

"Mr. Blackwood, do you know where Eva is?" Emily inquired.

Jacob, aware of their friendship, was forthcoming. "We have a lead, but it's not precise. We're still searching."

That explained Adrian's confidence. He had a lead.

"Why didn't he tell me?"

"It'll take time to pinpoint her exact location," Jacob said candidly.

"How long?"

Emily was a bundle of nerves, despite knowing Adrian was on it.

Jacob hesitated, then offered, "Hard to say, but knowing Mr. Blackwood, it won't be long. Stay calm, we'll keep you updated."

Stay calm? Easier said than done. "Can I do anything?"

Jacob shook his head. "We've got it covered."

Emily retreated to her room, her thoughts with Eva. "Be safe," she wished silently.

The next morning

Eva hadn't stayed in her room, opting instead for the comfort of the children's room, a precaution against the previous night's fears.

The children were quick to slumber with their mother close, but Eva lay awake until the brink of dawn.

A knock roused her after mere hours of sleep.

"Ms. Hansen, good morning. Breakfast is ready."

Barely awake and not hungry, Eva knew the children needed their routine.

With that in mind, she roused herself, taking the children downstairs to start the day.

 

 

Chapter 398 Is Love All You Know?

At the breakfast table

Michael slid into his chair, anticipating the arrival of the others, and when he caught sight of them, his face lit up with a warm smile. "Good morning, everyone."

Ruby and Dylan sensed the tension in the air, and when Michael greeted them, they averted their eyes, offering no response.

Unperturbed, Michael rose to pull out chairs for them.

Ruby and Dylan glanced at Eva, as if looking for a cue.

It was only after Eva gave a subtle nod that they hesitantly took their seats.

Eva settled beside them. Her appetite had waned over the past few days due to stress, but today, hunger nudged her to reach for her favorites with a newfound boldness. Michael watched, surprised to see Eva tucking in.

She scoffed inwardly. He probably figured she'd stage a hunger strike as some form of protest, right?

Sure, she could use a hunger strike as leverage against Michael. If he truly cared, he wouldn't stand to see her starve.

But self-starvation wasn't Eva's style. She had two kids to consider. If she neglected her health, what would become of them?

She had brought them into this world; it was her duty to shield them as best she could. Eating well and staying strong were part of that duty.

She didn't just eat for herself; she also made sure to offer the tastiest bits to her little ones. "Eat up, you two."

The kids seemed to eat with an unusual fervor, as though it might be their last meal, devouring their food with eagerness.

"Take it easy," Michael cautioned, worried they might choke.

But his words fell on deaf ears. They polished off their plates, wiped their mouths, and stood ready to leave.

"Let's go." Eva was up first, with the children trailing close behind, vanishing in moments.

The room was steeped in an awkward silence until Steven finally ventured a word.

"Sir..."

He was cut off before he could continue. "There's no need for chatter during a meal," Michael stated firmly.

Steven clamped his mouth shut, not daring another word.

Michael appeared unfazed, leisurely finishing his breakfast before dabbing his mouth with a napkin and standing. "Have some dessert sent up around ten," he instructed.

"Of course, sir," Steven complied, though he couldn't help but sigh inwardly at Michael's poise. Glancing at the rumpled napkin left behind, Steven's expression shifted subtly as he tidied up the dining space. After a hearty meal, Eva and the children retreated to their room, strategizing.

"Mummy, if we keep treating Uncle Michael like this, won't he get mad?" Ruby's voice was tinged with concern.

Eva's response was calculated. "Mad? That might be for the best. Perhaps if he's angry enough, he'll let us go." She hadn't explicitly told the children they were prisoners, but they were intuitive enough to sense it. They had mirrored her actions flawlessly: eating in unison and exiting together, a silent affront to Michael.

This unity with her children filled Eva with a sense of triumph.

She stroked Ruby's hair, a smile of satisfaction gracing her features. "You both did great today. Let's keep this up."

Ruby beamed at the praise, clutching Eva's wrist. "Thank you, mummy. I'll do even better."

Dylan, observing the tender moment, playfully pinched Ruby's cheek.

"Hey! That's not nice," Ruby protested, batting Dylan's hand away and snuggling closer to Eva.

Lunch and dinner followed the same script.

They didn't openly resist; they'd show up at the table, but they treated Michael as if he were a ghost, never acknowledging his attempts at conversation. Their lives might have seemed ordinary, but to them, Michael might as well have been invisible.

The next day, the pattern persisted, driving Steven to break the silence during one of Michael's solitary meals.

"Mr. Cooper, doesn't this bother you?"

"Why should it?" Michael asked, his voice even.

Steven frowned, "They're ignoring you. Doesn't that make you angry?"

A faint smile played on Michael's lips. "They're right here, next to me. I have them, and they're so full of life. What's there to be angry about?" Steven was at a loss for words.

"As long as they're close, they can treat me however they please. There's no cause for concern," Michael assured him.

"Understood, sir."

If Michael wasn't troubled by the situation, Steven, an outsider, had no place to comment further.

For two days, Eva hadn't caught a glimpse of David, not at meals or during her brief strolls.

On the third day, her patience wore thin. After breakfast, she instructed the children, "You two go on up."

They understood instantly and scampered away.

Now it was just Michael, Eva, and Steven lingering in the dining room.

Michael hadn't finished his breakfast yet, but at Eva's approach, he set his spoon down and offered her a smile.

"Do you need something?"

Eva was direct. "Where's David?"

"Do you require his assistance?"

"Yes."

"He's been dispatched on an urgent matter. Shall I assign someone else to help you?"

Steven stepped forward eagerly, "Ms. Hansen, David's quite occupied. If you need anything, please let me know."

His interjection was unusual, stirring Eva's suspicions.

What were they concealing?

"I don't need anyone else. I want to see him," Eva insisted.

Since that day, Michael's words had seeded doubt in her mind, but she had thought that David, being his long-time confidant, would face at most a reprimand.

Eva was convinced David could handle that.

But now, his absence was troubling.

Michael's gaze softened.

"Eva, is it so important to see David?"

She nodded resolutely. "Am I not allowed to see him anymore?"

"It won't come to that," Michael replied gently. "If you need him, I'll bring him back."

 

 

Chapter 399 Injured

Michael upheld his promise.

Later that afternoon, Eva had her chance to confront David. He was his usual self, impeccably dressed and polite, as he entered the room.

"Ms. Hansen, Mr. Cooper informed me you requested my presence. How may I assist you?"

Eva took a moment to scrutinize him. He stood erect, his expression composed, with no visible signs of injury on his face or neck. Observing this, she asked bluntly, "You're not injured, are you?"

David hesitated just a fraction before responding with a simple, "No."

"That's not convincing," Eva challenged him. "If you weren't injured, you'd be puzzled by my question, not dismissing it outright."

Before David could muster a reply, Eva pressed her hand against his chest, more firmly than intended. Caught off guard, David stumbled backward, grimacing. Eva's face registered concern as she stepped forward to steady him.

"Are you okay?"

David, realizing his reaction had given him away, pushed her hand aside and tried to regain his composure.

"Is it because you told me about his past?"

David stopped, his expression unreadable.

"You've been at his side for years, and just because you shared some truth, he retaliated against you?"

David denied it with a shake of his head. "Ms. Hansen, you're seeing things that aren't there. Mr. Cooper wouldn't hurt me."

"Then why did you flinch just now?"

David tugged at his lip, a sign of inner turmoil. "You think I'm hurt because you pushed me? Anyone would react to unexpected force."

Eva was taken aback by his steadfast denial.

"Are you being threatened?"

Silence fell between them. If David was indeed being coerced, Eva's inquiries could only endanger him further.

"Never mind," she relented, realizing the gravity of the situation. "If you insist you're fine, I'll drop it."

"Is there anything else I can do for you, Ms. Hansen?"

"No, that will be all. Thank you, David."

Eva was left to contemplate the encounter. David had been injured for merely divulging a small piece of information. If she pressed him further, she risked exacerbating his plight. She had underestimated Michael's capacity for causing harm, even to those within his inner circle.

After David had left, Michael appeared, as if on cue.

"Did you get to speak with David? Are you satisfied now?"

Eva faced Michael, noting the unchanged warmth in his smile, the same gentlemanly aura. Yet, something had shifted, sending a shiver down her spine.

"I feel as though I'm truly seeing you for the first time," she confessed.

Michael's smile faltered. "Are you disappointed with me?"

Eva averted her eyes. "He's been loyal to you, and he even helped you."

"Yes, David has been an excellent aide. He's met my expectations."

"Met them enough to..."

"To harm him?" Michael's voice remained soft, almost soothing. "It wasn't harm, Eva. It was a necessary lesson." Just a lesson?

The casualness of his explanation was chilling as if teaching such a 'lesson' was the most natural thing in the world.

Eva recoiled. "Is that the fate you plan for me, for Ruby, for Dylan?"

For the first time, Michael's composure slipped. He reached out, his grasp firm on her shoulder. "Never! I've promised to be a good father and husband. I could injure myself, but I would never harm you or the children." Eva was struck by the contradiction of his words and actions.

"You're terrifying. Release me."

"Eva," Michael's voice intensified, "believe me. I'd rather die than see you or the children hurt. I won't let anyone harm you."

"Let me go! Your 'protection' is not what we need," Eva protested, pushing him away with all her might.

Michael stumbled back, his breathing heavy, his demeanor shaken. Eva's defiance had clearly affected him.

After a moment, he inhaled deeply, straightened his glasses, and when he looked at her again, he had regained his composure. "You're too upset. Rest for now. We'll talk later."

He left, and Eva remained still, releasing a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

She had inadvertently revealed David's injury, which must have been severe if a light push caused such pain.

Eva believed she might never see David again after this.

But to her surprise, during dinner, he was present, standing beside Steven. Catching Eva's gaze, David nodded in acknowledgment.

"Ms. Hansen."

Before she could respond, Michael's soft voice interjected, "Worried I might harm him? He'll be in your sight every day from now on. You'll have no reason to worry. Let's sit and eat."

The meal proceeded in silence. Afterward, Eva led the children upstairs. As they passed David, he murmured a soft thank you, so faint she almost didn't catch it.

Eva didn't dare to look directly at David, fearing Michael might detect something amiss.

Pretending nothing had happened, she continued upstairs.

Once in her room, Eva felt a suffocating sense of dread.

Somehow, she sensed that David might reach out to her.

True to her intuition, a soft knock sounded at her door later that evening.

Two quick, discreet taps.

Eva's heart raced. She retrieved the note that had been slipped under the door, quickly pocketing it before opening the door slightly.

David's retreating figure was all she saw.

Securing the door again, Eva retrieved the note from her pocket.

The handwritten message made her pulse quicken. She went to the bathroom, soaked the note, tore it to shreds, and flushed the remnants down the toilet.

 

 

Chapter 400 So How Do You Plan to Compensate Me?

For several days, Emily and Nathan stayed around Adrian. Emily couldn't complete her work at the company. When she came here, she didn't even consider taking a few days off because of the special circumstances. She even felt like quitting.

Now Nathan has also come with her. If he continues to not go back to the company, it will likely suffer many losses considering his position there.

Her own losses don't matter. After all, Eva is her best friend. But what about Nathan? Apart from his sense of responsibility upon learning that Eva was kidnapped, his task was considered complete when Adrian brought them over. However, a long time has passed, and it doesn't seem like he intends to leave.

Emily planned to go find him.

They lived next door to each other. Emily stood at the door and knocked for a while before a cold male voice came from inside. "Come in."

Why didn't he open the door?

Emily hesitated for a moment, but without thinking too much, she turned the doorknob and entered the room.

Once inside, Emily realized Nathan was sitting in front of a laptop.

He had a pair of earphones on and was in a meeting.

Seeing this, Emily stopped where she was.

If he's in a meeting, it would be a bit impolite to disturb him now.

Emily was about to leave.

Unexpectedly, Nathan, who had his gaze on the laptop screen, took a moment to glance at her when he saw that she was about to leave, and then said, "Come over." Emily's steps came to a halt again.

After a few seconds of hesitation, she finally walked over.

Nathan gestured toward the seat opposite him, indicating for her to sit.

Since he was her superior, Emily didn't object and quickly took a seat.

Once she sat down, Emily felt a bit uneasy. Although Nathan was in a meeting, there were only the two of them in the room.

She was facing him, which made her feel a bit awkward.

At first, Emily managed to maintain a normal sitting posture, but as time passed, she began to feel bored. So she took out her phone. "Come out and play!"

She opened the game installed on her phone but forgot to turn off the sound. The game made some noises when she opened it.

Emily felt embarrassed and hurriedly turned it off. Then she looked at Nathan, and their eyes met.

He looked at her, and after a moment, he said to the other participants, "I have something to deal with, so let's finish the meeting here. Shulin, you follow up on the rest." After giving the instructions, Nathan ended the meeting and shut down the laptop.

The room fell silent. After a while, Emily smiled awkwardly.

"Sorry, I just... Did I disturb you? It wasn't intentional."

"Pretty bored, huh?" Nathan asked.

Emily shook her head vigorously.

"Not at all! I just didn't know how long your meeting would take, so I opened the game to pass the time. I simply forgot to turn off the sound."

"Hmm." Nathan nodded. "What do you need from me?"

"Well... Actually, I just wanted to thank you for accompanying me to Australia."

Her gratitude caught Nathan by surprise. He raised an eyebrow and said, "And?"

"Well, it's been quite a while, Mr. Powell. Aren't you planning to go back to the company?"

"Oh? Are you trying to get rid of me?" Nathan joked.

Emily quickly shook her head. "No, of course not! It's just that you have so many things to do. You've been in Australia for many days now, and I'm afraid you might delay your work at the company." He had come here for a meeting, which showed how busy he was with work.

"Many things..." Nathan repeated her words and then tugged at his lip. "Hmm, you're right. I have indeed delayed the company's work for a few days."

"So, what are you planning to do?" Emily asked.

"Tell me, how do you plan to compensate me?"

Wait, how did the conversation take such a turn?

Emily had initially wanted to suggest that if he was delaying work at the company, he should go back. Who knew he would ask her how she would compensate him?

Emily was confused. "I'm just an employee. What kind of compensation can I offer you?"

Upon hearing this, Nathan curled up the corners of his lips.

"Is there nothing I can be compensated with? Are you not confident in yourself?" he teased.

Emily felt odd. Her lips tightened, and she looked at him with a serious expression.

"Mr. Powell, are you...?"

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Are you planning to exploit me twice as much after this is over and I return to the company? Or are you going to cancel my year-end bonus? Well, it's a bit scary, but since you helped me this time, I guess I'll just accept the exploitation." Emily's expression had turned indignant.

Nathan rubbed his forehead. This woman was truly unpredictable.

Forget it.

He took off his headphones and changed the subject.

"Still no news from your friend?"

"Not yet." Emily's eyes became somewhat resentful when she mentioned it. "At first, I thought Adrian was reliable. We had a rough idea of her location, but it's been days and still no luck. It's driving me crazy."

Upon hearing Emily's words, Nathan paused and looked at her. "Finding someone takes time, and even if we find her, we can't startle the snake before organizing a plan."

"Mr. Powell, are you suggesting that Adrian may have already found Eva's whereabouts and is currently making arrangements?"

Nathan shook his head. "No, that's just my speculation."

Emily's spirits plummeted once again.

Eva's heart had been pounding ever since she woke up this morning.

But she still went downstairs with the two children for breakfast as usual. The three of them continued to ignore Michael and refrain from speaking to him.

Michael, in turn, allowed this behavior.

Just as Eva and the kids finished breakfast and were preparing to leave, Michael suddenly called her.

"Eva."

It was the first time he had called her during breakfast.

Eva turned her head to look at him. "What is it?"

Her tone and attitude were not pleasant, but Michael didn't mind. He smiled and said, "I have to go out after breakfast. Stay at home with the children, and don't wander around. If you need anything, just call Steven." Upon hearing this, Eva narrowed her eyes. She smiled coldly and replied, "Stay at home and don't wander around? Have you forgotten that I'm currently under your confinement? Where can I run even if I want to?" The smile on Michael's lips remained unchanged.

"Eva, don't be angry with me. When you come to your senses later, the doors here will naturally be opened for you."

"Is that so?" Eva sneered. "Then I'm afraid these doors will never have a chance to open for me."