Ch. 441..450

Chapter 441 What If Something Happens

So, Eva was directed back to her desk, while others kept watch by the windows and the door.

If there had been a camera pointed at the office at that moment, one might think she was the moll of some mafia boss.

Her mood for work was non-existent; she kept her phone with her at all times, anxious not to miss any message. Though she lacked the spirit for work, she pushed through and managed to get some tasks done, including receiving a boarding notification from Jacob.

After his plane took off, connecting with him became more difficult; she could only wait for him to land.

Her phone was silent all afternoon, but just as Eva was preparing to pack up for the day, it rang.

Without thinking, she snatched it up, only to see a call from an unfamiliar international number. Who could this be?

Without a second thought, she answered the call swiftly.

"Hello?"

Secretly, she hoped it was Adrian Blackwood on the line, telling her he was alright, and that he could only reach her using this number for the time being.

But Eva didn't dare to call out his name right away.

"You've gone back to using this number, I see."

Yet what reached her ears was a voice gentle yet tinged with a touch of coldness.

That voice...

A chill ran through Eva, and just as she was about to speak, the caller said, "Is that new number I gave you not working, Eva?"

The caller's voice held a coolness that felt as if it could seep through the phone and envelop her entirely.

"Or perhaps, you don't like that number, think the last digits aren't pretty enough? Should I get you another one?"

It took a moment for Eva to process. Biting her lower lip, she finally managed to ask, "What do you really want to say? Is all this necessary?"

It was only when Michael Cooper threw another question her way that Eva gathered her thoughts and spoke up.

The bodyguards around her immediately formed a protective circle at her uneasy expression.

"Ha..." The phone carried the carefree laughter of Michael Cooper. "Alright, if our Eva finds my musings so dull, how about we discuss something more intriguing?" His words sent a tight clench in Eva's chest, and her eyelids twitched.

"What do you mean by that?" she asked.

"Aren't you bored with the conversation? Let's switch it up."

Eva held her breath, remaining silent. The head bodyguard noticed her tension and gestured to see if she needed assistance.

She shook her head at him.

He resigned to wait quietly.

"What are you trying to say?"

"Well, something of interest to you, like... returning to my side."

Eva: "..."

"If I'm not mistaken, you must be quite anxious right now? Can't get ahold of him, can you?"

After much beating around the bush, Eva finally heard the point of interest. Narrowing her eyes, she demanded, "Is he with you? What have you done to him?"

What was going on? Wasn't Michael Cooper injured too? How had Adrian Blackwood fallen for his tricks?

But after her questioning, the line fell silent.

The prolonged silence was agonizing for Eva, and she pressed, "Speak up."

At her challenge, a chuckle came through the phone.

"When will you show me the same concern you have for him? I'd willingly die for you then."

""

Eva bit her lower lip. "Don't do this."

"Don't do what? Had I been like this sooner, would you have never left the country? Maybe letting you go was where I went wrong. At least when you were abroad, you wouldn't be by someone else's side even if you didn't accept me." His words made Eva close her eyes, taking a deep breath before asking again, "Is he with you? What have you done to him?"

"Don't have the patience to hear anything else?" he teased.

"I..."

"If you really want to know how he is, why not come and see for yourself?"

Eva caught her breath.

"Until you show up in front of me, I won't say a word about his situation."

She bit her lip again.

"Everything was fine, why must it be this way?"

"Heh."

Michael Cooper's laugh was low, "Yeah, everything was fine. So why did you go back home?"

Eva was at a loss for words; their conversation had become impossible.

"Come over, I'll be waiting at our old spot."

Michael Cooper was about to hang up when Eva Hansen's voice quivered with urgency, "Wait-where is he? What did you do to him?"

"There's nothing I'm going to say until I see you, Eva," Michael's voice was firm. "And don't even bother trying to find him."

With that, he disconnected the call, leaving Eva staring at her silent phone, a frown etching into her face. Shaking off her shock, she immediately redialed the number, but now it seemed completely unreachable. After multiple failed attempts, the head bodyguard noticed Eva's growing anxiety and intervened. "Ms. Hansen, please, take it easy. Tell us what's wrong, and we'll help you handle it."

Eva quickly briefed them on her conversation and handed over the number she'd been given.

Their team got to work without delay, placing calls and running checks.

In the meantime, Eva made two more attempts to reach Adrian Blackwood's mobile number, to no avail.

Minutes later, they had an update for her.

"Ms. Hansen, our technical team has traced the call back to an old-fashioned phone booth."

A phone booth? Eva was taken aback. Were there still old-fashioned phone booths around?

She pressed her lips together, remembering Michael's words about not revealing anything until they met. Had he used a phone she couldn't trace on purpose?

With that thought, she rifled through her contacts and dialed Michael's personal number.

The line rang but soon switched to an automated message indicating the call couldn't be completed.

Her only option, it seemed, was to wait for Michael to contact her again or to go abroad in search of him.

While the bodyguards weren't privy to the turmoil of thoughts swirling in Eva's mind, their duty remained clear-to ensure her safety.

The lead bodyguard spoke up, "Ms. Hansen, ensuring your safety is paramount to Mr. Blackwood. Please don't do anything rash."

Eva, who had been struggling with how to broach the subject, seized the opportunity provided by his advice.

She turned to face him, "What if, hypothetically, Mr. Blackwood were in trouble?"

The bodyguard was taken aback.

"And what if he wasn't able to handle the payment for your services?"

 

Chapter 442 Just Fooling You

"Rest assured, Ms. Hansen," the bodyguard calmly replied, "Mr. Blackwood has already paid for a full year's services upfront." A year?

Eva was taken aback when she heard the figure.

He had prepaid for such a long time in advance.

"So, Ms. Hansen, we'll ensure your personal safety for the coming year," the lead protector said.

Hearing this, Eva couldn't help but look up at him.

"Do you guys work for money?"

The leader nodded in affirmation.

"Alright then. If I offer a higher bid than his to have you accompany me abroad to find someone and ensure my security, would you agree?" The leader paused upon hearing her proposition.

"Don't worry, it's not just Adrian Blackwood who has deep pockets. I can afford it too. And if you need reassurance, I can pay upfront as well." "This..."

"Do your protection services only extend within the country?"

"It's not like that; we can also provide protection abroad. It's just... we've already promised Mr. Blackwood to safeguard you, so we..."

"Yes." Eva smirked, "You're ensuring my personal safety, but you're not restricting my freedom of movement, right? Did he specifically instruct you not to let me go to certain places?" When she posed this question, the team fell silent.

Indeed, they couldn't restrict where she chose to go; they could only accompany her.

With this in mind, Eva knew what she had to do next.

"Uh, Ms. Hansen, we don't object to you traveling abroad, but I must remind you, how do you know if what he told you is true? What if Mr. Blackwood is fine and it's just a ruse?" That's right, Eva had considered this since Michael Cooper had spoken to her. What if it was all a deceit?

But... having known Michael for so many years, spending the last five together, she felt she understood him well. If he'd gone out of his way to call her and say those things, then it likely meant things were as serious as she suspected. Although she couldn't fathom how Adrian Blackwood could have lost to him.

Of course, there was also the chance that Michael was playing mind games, knowing her well enough to provoke her deliberately.

With these thoughts, Eva lowered her gaze, sinking into deep contemplation.

Seeing this, the lead protector quickly spoke up, "Ms. Hansen, I'd advise you to think this over carefully."

Snapping back to the present, Eva looked at him, "I can reconsider, but can you get in touch with Adrian Blackwood?"

"This..."

"Is it that his phone is unreachable? Can't find him at all, no word from him whatsoever?"

Sometimes, there are things that we can only deduce for ourselves, based on the hard facts.

Eva's inquiry about Shen's whereabouts left everyone speechless; after all, no one could get in touch with him, and the possibility of an accident couldn't be ignored.

Of course, Eva was worried about being duped, so she had given herself a window of time an opportunity to wait.

It all came down to Jacob.

He was already abroad, and for now, Eva had no choice but to pin her hopes on him. If he couldn't locate Adrian Blackwood once he got there, then...

Eva felt her heart plummet. Despite it being nearly time to clock out, she couldn't help but seek out Tim for a prolonged chat before finally leaving.

Once home, Eva acted as if nothing was amiss, carrying on with life among the Blackwoods just like any other ordinary person.

No matter how well she concealed her anxiety, Margaret saw through it. After dinner, when the kids were playing in the study with Kim Blackwood, Margaret approached Eva softly and asked, "Any luck? Have you reached Adrian?" At her words, Eva hesitated, at a loss for how to respond.

"What's wrong? Is there something you're hesitant to tell your mother about? Eva, I may not be your birth mother, but if you're willing, you can think of me as such. You can tell me anything. When you left back then, I couldn't even manage a proper goodbye, nor was I privy to your affairs. But I want you to know, regardless of what's happened between you and Adrian, even if you've parted ways with him, you can always consider me your mother."

These unexpected words triggered a surge of emotion, and Eva's eyes reddened.

"Thank you. I'll remember your kindness," she replied, her voice tinged with gratitude.

As a child, Eva had always envied those with mothers. She longed for one who would buy her pretty dresses, dress her up, cuddle her to sleep, tell her bedtime stories, and greet her with a gentle kiss when she woke up. Even without any of that, she yearned for such a connection. And so, she had eventually placed these feelings upon Granny Blackwood. As a matriarchal figure in her life, Granny Blackwood was an irreplaceable presence to Eva. "Your grandma has passed away. In her final moments, she was still thinking of you, regretting her perceived shortcomings. She believed if she had counseled you and Adrian better, perhaps your marriage wouldn't have ended in divorce." The mention of Granny Blackwood brought fresh tears to Eva's eyes.

Anything could be brought up around her, just not Granny Blackwood. Eva's heart was heavy with regret for her stubbornness that had prevented her from seeing her in those final moments.

"Sorry, I should have...", she began.

"There's no need." Margaret took her wrist gently. "That's all behind us. Don't you dare apologize. Your grandmother wouldn't want you dwelling on guilt. I shared the truth with you, not to weigh on you, but so you'd know." Tears brimmed in Eva's eyes, she nodded but struggled to find the words.

"Regardless of what happens between you and Adrian Blackwood, let's not repeat the past."

"Okay."

A heavy silence lapsed before Eva wiped away a tear and spoke. "Mom, I need to ask a favor." "Anything, dear."

"I need to travel abroad tonight, or tomorrow at the latest."

Margaret raised an eyebrow in a mix of surprise and concern but remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

"Ruby and Dylan have never been without me. I'm not sure how they'll cope. I'll talk to them, try to ease them into it. But while I'm gone, could you..."

"Say no more. Those kids are my grandchildren. It's my duty to look after them. You handle your business, and I'll manage everything here. Ruby and Dylan are wonderful children. I have no doubt they'll behave."

 

Chapter 443 At Sixes and Sevens

After wrapping up her conversation with Margaret, Eva went to check on the two little ones.

As she approached, both cozied up to her. "Mommy, can we sleep with you tonight?"

They usually slept alone. Could it be a sudden sixth sense?

"Why do you want to sleep with Mommy tonight?" Eva asked gently.

Ruby Hansen beamed back at her. "Because we miss you, Mom."

Dylan Hansen nodded in agreement.

She hadn't gone anywhere yet, but their words made her wonder if they had overheard her conversation with Margaret.

However, their ensuing questions eased her worries.

"Mommy, you and grandma talked for a long time. What about?" they curiously inquired.

Eva playfully pinched a tiny nose. "Those are grown-up matters. Children shouldn't worry about them."

"Okay, then," they acquiesced.

"So can you sleep with us tonight, Mommy?"

"Yes, I'll be with you all night long."

Brent's plane hadn't landed yet, and she was stuck in limbo until he touched down and updated her on the situation. For now, all she could do was wait, taking care of her two kids.

Eva spent the entire evening with the kids, and Margaret thoughtfully prepared some snacks and fruit for them.

Around ten o'clock, she finally received a call from Jacob, telling her he was off the plane. He promised to keep her posted on any new developments.

Eva had intended to mention the call from Michael Cooper to him, but Jacob, preoccupied with urgent matters, ended the call abruptly, leaving Eva with only the dial tone and a sigh of resignation. Hoping for positive news, she turned her attention to the kids when they called out to her.

"Mama," their little voices reached her, pulling her away from her thoughts to be with them.

Their chatter filled the evening, claiming all of Eva's time until exhaustion took the kids to their beds, leaving her with a moment of privacy at last.

She lay in the middle of the bed, a child on either side clinging to her hands as they slept together in a row.

In a soft voice, Eva whispered, "Mama might have to go on a trip tomorrow."

"Where are you going, Mama?"

"I can't tell you just yet. I'll share all about it when I come back, is that okay?"

The obedient little ones, not pressing any further, simply asked her to return soon.

"I will," Eva assured them, "but you need to promise to behave for Grandma and Grandpa, okay?"

"We promise, Mama."

Once the kids were nestled beside her, breathing steadily in sleep, Eva called out to them softly. Without a response, she carefully crawled out of bed and silently stepped onto the floor.

She had stayed with them all night, but it wasn't until they were asleep that she finally got the chance to check her phone.

A message from Jacob awaited: "Ms. Hansen, there won't be any updates tonight. You should get some rest."

Seeing that he had found the time to message her, Eva promptly returned the call.

"Jacob."

He hadn't expected her to stay up this late, considering the time on her end. "Ms. Hansen, I just wanted to send a message to ease your mind. Why haven't you rested yet?" "I can't sleep."

Jacob was taken aback by her words, and then Eva Shen added, "You should understand how I feel. I can't get in touch with him at all, and there's no news whatsoever. How can anyone sleep under such circumstances?" Jacob didn't respond, maintaining his silence.

"Brent, do you have any updates from your end?"

Finally, Brent let out a sigh of resignation.

Eva's heart instantly tightened, and her brows furrowed in concern.

"What's going on?"

"Ms. Hansen," Brent began hesitantly, "I didn't want to disappoint or worry you, but it seems like not telling you would keep you up at night too. So here it is. Upon my arrival, there's been no word from Mr. Blackwood. The villa only had two caretakers, and all contact with his people has been lost."

"Everyone who went out is unaccounted for?"

Eva could hardly believe it; he should have had a lot of people with him at the time. If none of them could be reached, then...

Eva now understood why her heart raced and her eyelid twitched persistently when she woke up that morning.

"Ms. Hansen..."

"Just tell me, is that the case?"

Brent's voice faltered and sank a notch, as if deflated. "When I got here, indeed, I couldn't reach any of them. I've tried all the contact methods I had, multiple times to no avail."

The likelihood of them all encountering trouble simultaneously was slim, but the fact that none could be contacted was truly frightening.

Eva bit her lower lip, thinking for a moment before saying, "I'm buying a plane ticket right now."

At her words, Jacob was startled. "Ms. Hansen, you're coming over?"

"What else can I do? With everyone over there out of reach, I have no other choice but to go myself, right?"

"But..." Jacob hesitated, not wanting to bluntly say that her coming wouldn't be of any help they couldn't find them, let alone her. So he gently suggested, "We haven't even started a search here yet. It really isn't necessary for you to come at this moment."

Little did he know, Eva would immediately see through his concern.

"You just think that I won't be of any help if I go, right?"

Jacob found himself at a loss for words, stammering, "That's not it, I mean..."

However, Eva was no longer interested in a drawn-out discussion and directly shared with him the call she had received from Michael Cooper.

"With the situation as it is, do you really think my coming over won't make a difference?"

Caught off guard by her revelation, Jacob was left utterly bewildered.

But Mr. Blackwood's intention was to ensure Ms. Hansen's safety. If we put her at risk, even if Mr. Blackwood remains unharmed, it would go against his wishes."

"Between him and me, who do you think is in greater danger?"

Jacob fell silent.

When they had found Ms. Hansen, she had indeed been safe. The man only wanted to confine her, not harm her. But with Mr. Blackwood... it was a different story; after all, he probably hadn't fully recovered from his last injuries.

 

Chapter 444 Confirmation

"Your silence means you're thinking the same thing, right? You can't reach him either, and you're worried, aren't you?" "Ms. Hansen."

That's when Jacob snapped back to reality, clenching his teeth. "Yes, I'm worried about Mr. Blackwood. But before leaving, he made it clear: nothing is more important than your and the children's safety. Even if something happens to him, he'll find his own way out of trouble. I absolutely won't let you risk yourself for Mr. Blackwood."

"Find his own way out? Maybe if it were here at home, I'd agree, but do you have any clue about the situation abroad? Are you familiar with the terrain over there?" Eva grilled Jacob, leaving him speechless. "I'm telling you now, if he hasn't escaped danger and something happens, will you regret insisting on this today?"

Jacob went quiet again.

"I'm buying a ticket now."

With that, Eva ended the call and quickly navigated through the app to purchase a plane ticket, her resolution unwavering.

Last time, having the children with her held her back, but this time she was traveling alone. Ruby and Dylan were in Kim and Margaret's care, and with several bodyguards around, she could handle things on her own more effectively. Before long, Eva had her ticket.

Then she turned to pack her bags. That's when Jacob called again.

Eva glanced at the caller ID, presuming it was just another attempt to convince her to prioritize her own safety and discourage her from going.

She didn't need to hear it.

So, Eva looked at the phone and ultimately rejected the call.

After a few seconds, the caller tried again.

Eva had intended to switch off her phone; nothing was going to stop her determination to go overseas. But fearing there might be some changes abroad, she hesitated and finally answered.

"If you're calling to persuade me, you can save your breath. Any further calls and I'll have no choice but to block your number. I won't have my phone battery wasted in vain."

From the moment the line connected, Eva Hansen hit the caller with her icy tone.

Jacob, on the other end, seemed to have anticipated Eva's response. After a brief silence, he finally spoke, "Ms. Hansen, I know I can't change your mind. That's not why I called. I've just been in touch with the security team. Let me know your flight number, and I'll arrange for them to be on the same flight as you."

Eva was momentarily taken aback; she had expected Brent to be calling with arguments and dissuasions....not this.

She texted the flight number to Jacob.

"Got it. Ms. Hansen, I'll also keep an eye out for any leads on Mr. Blackwood. Please keep your phone on and reachable at all times during your travel. I'll contact you immediately if there's any news." "Okay."

"Ms. Hansen, be very careful."

"Uh-huh, you too."

After hanging up, Eva let out a sigh of relief.

Even if Jacob hadn't agreed with her plans, his support made a world of difference. With his help, surely things would go much smoother.

Eva packed the last piece of clothing into her suitcase and turned to glance at her two little ones sleeping peacefully. She softly approached and kissed each of their cheeks.

The men Adrian Blackwood had hired were all booked on the same flight as her now. Despite the wee hours, their mission made them ready to move at a moment's notice.

As Eva descended the stairs with her luggage, she was greeted by a chorus of "Ms. Hansen!"

She instinctively raised her hand to her lips, signaling for them to quiet down. It was rest time for everyone else, and we didn't need to be that loud.

The man leading the team looked innocently perplexed.

Their voices weren't loud on their own, but the collective volume had unintentionally escalated a notch.

To prevent them from further speaking and to quell the noise, Eva quickly made it downstairs with her suitcase.

"Let's go."

"Ms. Hansen, let me carry that for you."

Eva's suitcase wasn't heavily packed. Other than the essentials, she hadn't bothered with items like skincare products.

"It's quite light. I can manage; it's practically an empty box," Eva said, shaking her head.

But the man insisted, and ultimately, Eva handed over the suitcase to him.

After Eva was escorted to the car by the group, she took her seat inside the black vehicle. Despite the tinted windows, her gaze was drawn to the rearview mirror, where a string of headlights illuminated the dark road as if it were broad daylight. Under the luminescent shield, Eva embarked on her journey.

The airport was less crowded at this time of night, which was somewhat relieving. Before boarding, Eva touched base with Jacob, only to find that there was still no update from his end.

"Ms. Hansen, have a safe trip."

During the flight, the lead agent took exceptional care of her, even ensuring the washroom was safe before allowing her to use it, then stood guard outside. Eva's mind was fraught with worry, leaving her little desire to sleep. Yet, considering the mountain of tasks awaiting her upon landing, she needed to conserve energy-forcing herself into and out of a fitful rest for a mere couple of hours. She disembarked with a heavy, gritty feeling in her eyes.

As soon as she was off the plane, Eva immediately powered on her phone. Right on cue, Jacob called.

"Ms. Hansen, I saw your flight has landed."

"Yes, just now. I'll be out shortly."

"Our car is out front to pick you up."

Eva pressed her lips together. She wanted to ask about any news on Adrian Blackwood, but knowing Jacob hadn't volunteered any information meant there likely wasn't any. Undoubtedly, asking would be futile. Holding back her inquiry, she simply responded with a curt, "Okay," and followed the others out.

Once Jacob had gathered everyone, they were escorted safely back to the vehicle and headed towards the base.

"Our people are searching, but we haven't found anything yet. Ms. Hansen, what exactly did Michael Cooper tell you when he contacted you? Do you have any information on Mr. Blackwood's whereabouts?" asked Jacob, a note of urgency creeping into his voice.

"No," Eva replied, shaking her head. "But I've known him for many years. I understand how he operates-if he wasn't certain, he wouldn't have made such claims."

Jacob's expression tensed upon hearing her words.

"So, what's our next move?"

Eva glanced at her phone. "It hasn't been twenty-four hours since he called. Even if he wanted to meet, he'd have to allow for my flight time. I presume he'll reach out again soon." Barely had she finished her sentence when the previously silent phone buzzed with life-an indication, perhaps, that her prediction was swiftly proving accurate.

 

Chapter 445 I'll Be Waiting at Our Old Place

The call was from an unfamiliar number. Eva sat rigidly, her posture mirroring the sudden tension that gripped everyone in the car as the ring of the phone sliced through the silence. Her co-worker, Jacob, eyed his own phone with nervous

anticipation before turning towards Eva.

"Ms. Hansen, could you put it on speaker when you answer?" he asked tentatively.

"Sure," Eva responded, her face betraying no emotion as she accepted the call and switched to speaker mode, prompting everyone in the vehicle to hold their breath in collective suspense. "Hello?" Eva's voice was calm, almost detached.

A low, pleased chuckle emanated from the other end before Michael Cooper's voice rumbled through. "You made it, and much quicker than I anticipated."

Eva remained silent. He had obviously been tracking her movements.

No surprise there, given his network and resources. To him, finding out her whereabouts would have been as easy as asking around.

"He really means a lot to you, doesn't he?" Michael's voice held a note of dissatisfaction as he drew out the words. "Otherwise, you wouldn't be in such a rush."

At this, Eva couldn't help but frown, though her expression smoothed over after a brief moment. "The one who should be worried isn't me, considering you're so well-informed about my every move."

Eva had the sneaking suspicion that he could even tell what face she was making.

"Heh. Fair point. Let's say I'm the anxious one then," Michael conceded. "Now that you're here, you're going to tell me how he is, right?"

"No rush, Eva. Since you've made the effort to come, naturally, I won't harm him."

Eva's brow creased at his arrogance, surprised by the change in Michael Cooper. Taking a deep breath, she pressed, "What will it take for you to release him? And how do you prove he's with you? Where's the proof?" "Eva," Michael began, calling her by her first name-a sign of their complex rapport, "do you really need evidence for our relationship? You know whether my word is true."

Jacob, overhearing this exchange, furrowed his brows involuntarily, biting back a retort for fear of provoking Michael further.

But before he could speak up, Michael continued, "Besides, you wouldn't have flown out so quickly if you didn't believe me, right?"

Eva pursed her lips.

"What do you want?" she managed to ask.

Silence lingered on the line before he replied, "You know what I want."

Eva bit her lower lip, a mixture of anxiety and resolve playing across her features.

"I'll be waiting for you at our old spot. Come alone."

Jacob looked as though he wanted to object, but a sharp glance from Eva silenced any argument.

She pondered for a moment before replying to Michael Cooper, "I can't just go there alone. How do I know what you'll do once I'm there by myself?"

"All I want is you. Just come here, and I promise I won't lay a finger on him."

Eva Hansen furrowed her brows yet seemed somewhat inclined to trust his word. After all, when he had taken her away before, he hadn't harmed Adrian Blackwood. Maybe he hadn't expected David to whisk her away behind his back? Otherwise, she shuddered to think that she might still be his captive at that undisclosed location.

"Eva, I'm waiting for you."

Hearing these words sent a chill down her spine. She was about to respond in haste when the line went dead. "Don't..."

Her voice was too slow; it was already too late.

The busy tone from the phone only added to the silence in the car.

Moments later, Jacob took the phone from her, "Ms. Hansen, this..."

"There's no point. That number's probably disconnected already. He's covered his tracks," she cut in.

His message was crystal clear - she had to come to him, alone, or he wouldn't budge.

And this audacious demand stemmed from the leverage he undoubtedly held over them.

He was dictating her every move while completely freeing himself from having anyone come to her. Instead, he insisted she come to him.

Eva closed her eyes momentarily. It was becoming evident that Adrian was indeed in his clutches.

What on earth had happened?

Why had Adrian lost to him? Was it a trap all along?

"Ms. Hansen, you can't go there alone," Jacob said, his frustration evident.

"He's just trying to manipulate you."

"Yes, I see that. So, what are you going to do about it? Can you find Adrian?"

Jacob fell silent before finally saying, "Our people are already looking for him."

Noticing Eva's disinterest, he added, "I'm sorry, Ms. Hansen. I didn't help much. I should have stayed to help."

At this point, discussing anyone's usefulness was futile.

Eva didn't care for the blame game at this moment but offered comfort nonetheless, "Don't think that way. This situation was never related to you. It's because of me that you got dragged into this."

"Ms. Hansen, don't say that. You and Mr. Blackwood are together, and his child is involved too. It was Mr. Blackwood's duty to save you, and since I work for Mr. Blackwood, naturally, I should be part of this too." Both parties openly addressed the situation, then quickly shelved the topic, recognizing its futility.

After a brief silence lasting nearly twenty seconds, Jacob took the initiative and suggested, "How about we come up with a plan?"

Eva turned to him, curiosity piqued, "What kind of plan?"

"You can't go alone, that's off the table. But, he's insisting you show up solo."

Eva nodded in agreement. "Okay, what's your point?"

"So, Ms. Hansen," he paused briefly, "where did he say you should meet? And how do you plan on tracking him down afterward?"

This question sent Eva into deep thought.

He had said on the phone that he'd be waiting for her at the old place.

The old place?

Was he referring to that villa they had been to before?

With an uneasy feeling, Eva turned and inquired. The answer came back swiftly: the previous villa was now deserted. Their people had checked-it was completely empty. Eva's brows furrowed at this revelation.

If not at the villa, where else could he be? Which 'old place' was he referring to? She knew that the only place she had ever visited in this country with Michael Cooper was the villa.

"So, Ms. Hansen, if you have any clue about where this 'old place' might be, we could send people in advance to secure the location. The moment Mr. Blackwood is spotted, our team could move in."

"I'm afraid that's not going to work," Eva shook her head.

"Why not?" Jacobs's voice was laced with urgency. "Ms. Hansen, you don't seriously intend to meet him alone, do you? That's unacceptable it's too dangerous!"

"That's not what I meant," Eva said with a helpless look in her eyes. "You've said the villa is gone, but that's the only place here I've spent time with him. Even if I wanted to go find him, I wouldn't know where to start."

 

Chapter 446 Crystal Clear

Jacob now understood her point.

"Ms. Hansen, is this your first time in this country?"

Eva considered for a moment before shaking her head.

"Not exactly the first, but the last time I was here alone, I only stayed for two days."

Back then, her accommodation was a hotel. She and Michael Cooper certainly didn't have some 'old place' to speak of. Not during her last visit, nor did she feel there was an 'old place' this time around, aside from the villa they had taken her to. After all, that was where she had stayed the longest.

After hearing her out, Jacob found himself pondering too.

"Could it be that the 'old place' he mentioned isn't in this city, or maybe even this country?"

At first, Eva did believe she was where she needed to be, but with Michael Cooper's temper, she doubted he'd simply let her end up in the wrong place. Had she actually been off course, he would've mentioned it during their call, especially since he'd been the one wanting to see her. Plus, he coincidentally knew her flight number.

"There's no place else, we'll just have to go there," she mused, acknowledging that if she were to seek him out, that was her only option.

Jacob was momentarily at a loss, but it was clear there was no alternative at the moment.

"Ms. Hansen, why not rest up tonight and head out tomorrow?" he suggested tentatively.

A sense of urgency was gnawing at him, but it was not his place to insist that Eva drop everything to save Mr. Blackwood now, even though deep down, Jacob felt that with their resources, they should be able to rescue Adrian Blackwood. They hadn't even found the guy yet, let alone figured out how Mr. Blackwood could have fallen into his foe's trap. As one of Adrian Blackwood's subordinates, Jacob's loyalty naturally lay with him, believing if Blackwood had been outmaneuvered by Michael Cooper, it had to be due to Cooper's sneaky, malicious tactics.

"Let's go now."

Eva's voice snapped Jacob back to reality. He checked her gaze, she was looking at him with a serene expression.

It took Jacob a moment to register her decision. "Our people...?" he stammered.

A heavy sigh escaped Eva. "If he's aware of my movements, that means he knows my itinerary and exactly who's with me," she stated, indicating her intent to go alone.

"Wait, but how can we justify that? Ms. Hansen, if you go by yourself, and something happens, how am I supposed to explain it to Mr. Blackwood when he returns?"

Eva had been on edge these past few days, and Jacob's objections were the last thing she needed. Even though she wanted to snap at him, she realized he was concerned for her well-being and managed to suppress her anger, though her tone was far from friendly.

"Stop beating around the bush," she chastised. "Do you want to save him or not?"

Chastened by her rebuke, Jacob recognized he had been fussing unnecessarily.

Rubbing her temples, Eva voiced her fatigue, "Point them in the right direction. When we're close, I'll make my own way."

Jacob opened his mouth to object, but seeing Eva already leaning back with her eyes closed, ready to shut out any further discussion, he understood the conversation was over.

He had to swallow his mounting worries, knowing Ms. Hansen didn't want to discuss Adrian Blackwood anymore. How long had they been disconnected, yet they still hadn't found him?

Jacob muttered instructions to himself, formulating plans in his head. With Mr. Blackwood absent, the responsibility of protecting Ms. Hansen had fallen on his shoulders.

The drive to the villa was still rough, and though Eva Shen managed to rest with her eyes closed against the seat at first, her complexion turned pale after a while.

She probably hadn't eaten properly the past few days, leaving her with an unsettled stomach, and the bumpy ride wasn't helping.

Nausea swelled up in her mind, and she was fighting hard to keep it down.

When the car finally stopped, Eva's first action after getting out was to rush to the side of the road and vomit.

"Ms. Hansen!" Jacob called out, startled by her reaction. He quickly opened the car door and dashed out after her.

"Are you alright, Ms. Hansen?"

Eva was crouching by the road, shivering as the wind picked up. Jacob didn't think twice; he took off his coat and draped it over her, then helped her, pale-faced, to stand. "I'm fine," she asserted.

Only then did Jacob notice Eva's pallor, as pale as paper. He had been preoccupied with thoughts and instructions during the drive and hadn't paid attention to her condition. Seeing her now, he suspected the turbulent ride had caused her motion sickness.

At the same time as his suspicions formed, Eva admitted, "Just mild car sickness. I'll feel better after a moment." "Sorry about that, Ms. Hansen. I should've told them to go slower on such a rough road," Jacob apologized. Ms. Hansen was impressively stoic, enduring the motion sickness in silence the whole way.

Eva just gave him a reassuring smile, indicating she was okay.

After standing still for a while to recover, she started to hand back Jacob's coat.

"No, keep it on, Ms. Hansen. Looking after you is part of my job. It's just a coat, after all," Jacob insisted.

After being carsick, she was covered in cold sweat. Standing outside in the chilly wind made her shiver uncontrollably.

Reluctant to keep his clothing but relieved after hearing Jacob, Eva thanked him and wrapped the coat around herself.

She glanced at the path ahead and then said, "This is the place. Wait here for me; I'll go inside and check."

Jacob hesitated, wanting to voice his concerns.

"It's okay, don't worry about me. He wouldn't dare hurt me, and I have to bring Adrian Blackwood back, don't I? That's my only chance to get out of this mess," she reassured him. Hearing this, Jacob bit his lower lip with worry, "But what if he doesn't keep his promise?"

Eva chuckled softly, "If he decides to break his word, rest assured, I have ways to deal with him."

Without further hesitation, she turned and walked away.

Jacob stood motionless, watching the slender figure disappear into the chilly wind, her steps firm, betraying no sign of doubt.

The car was parked a fair distance from the villa.

All alone, Eva took some time to reach the front of the villa. The gate was closed. After glancing around, she looked up straight into the security camera.

"Tell Michael Cooper, I'm here," she said, confident he was expecting her. Then she sat down on a bench near the entrance, drawing her coat tighter around her.

Had the bench been added just for her visit?

While mentally preparing for what was to come, Eva waited.

After a couple of minutes, the gates opened.

Eva turned and, upon seeing who it was, her eyes narrowed momentarily.

She'd considered the possibility of not meeting Michael Cooper here, or that perhaps he wouldn't even be present. But what she hadn't anticipated was meeting him...

 

 

Chapter 447 Sooner or Later, We'll Meet

She stared at the newcomer, taking a while to regain her composure, and then walked up briskly, delighted. "David, thank God, you're alright. I feared that you..."

But as she approached, David stepped back, maintaining a distance from her.

Eva stopped, puzzled. "What's wrong?"

Yet David's gaze was icy, a stark contrast to before it was as if they were strangers to each other.

No, strangers were not this cold-it was as if there was enmity between them.

"Ms. Hansen, you've kept me waiting," he uttered frostily.

Eva's smile faltered, and after a moment she asked, "David, what's going on?"

Unfortunately, David ignored her question, his attention fixed beyond the gates.

"Ms. Hansen, did you come alone? Did you keep your promise?"

Caught off guard, all Eva could do was nod.

"They dropped me off nearby, didn't come inside," she explained, then paused before adding, "That's not breaking a promise, is it?"

David didn't respond. Eva sighed internally and then pressed, "What now? Where's Michael Cooper?"

The gates to the villa remained open, a silent invitation made abundantly clear by David's imposing stance as he waited there. It wasn't hard for Eva Shen to piece things together.

David was the errand boy today, not Michael Cooper. She had been summoned here not to meet Cooper, but to be whisked away by David to another destination.

"Mr. Cooper isn't here?" Eva asked.

Before Daniel could even respond, she bombarded him with more pressing questions. "Where is he then? How can I contact him? And what about Adrian Blackwood? What has Cooper done to him? Is Adrian safe? I'm willing to keep my end of the bargain, but I need to see him safe and sound first. I won't take another step until I do."

No sooner had she finished speaking than David thrust his phone into her hands. Eva glanced at the screen and noticed the call was live; they had been on the line even before she had arrived.

The coldness in David's demeanor suddenly made sense. She had wondered why, after he had saved her before, he seemed so indifferent now. With a little bit of clarity and a tinge of apprehension, Eva took the phone. "Eva," came the familiar voice of Michael Cooper from the other end.

"Where's Adrian Blackwood?" she demanded.

"Since you've come all this way, you'll see him sooner or later," Cooper's voice was infuriatingly calm.

"Why not let me see him now?" Eva shot back, her patience thinning.

"It's not that I don't want you to see him, Eva," he replied smoothly. "It's that you can't see him just yet."

Eva narrowed her eyes, a mix of anger and worry washing over her. "What do you mean?" she snipped. "Isn't he here?"

"Are you trying to fish for information?" There was a hint of amusement in Cooper's voice.

Eva remained silent, frustration bubbling within her.

"But I trust you, Eva. Since you're here, I'll tell you-he's in another country. I've already arranged your flight. Just you and David. Once you arrive, I'll let him go."

Eva's brow furrowed tightly.

"In which country?"

It dawned on her that Adrian wasn't around anymore. Jacob's men were searching in vain here; without any leads, there was no point.

She had to get this information to Jacob, but how would she do it while being watched? Cameras, both visible and hidden, peppered the perimeter.

As she bit her lower lip in thought, she heard Cooper continue, "I can't reveal his location, but as long as you come to me, he'll be perfectly fine. Oh, and to show my sincerity, I'll have David show you a photo shortly." Sincerity... The word made Eva's stomach turn. How dare he play the good guy in this twisted game of his?

Suppressing the urge to curse him out, Eva abruptly ended the call and handed the phone over to David.

"I need to see those pictures right now."

David took the phone without a flicker of emotion, swiped to open the photo, and Eva's face paled instantly at the sight.

In the photo, Adrian Blackwood was lying on a bed, his complexion ghostly, a bandage wrapped around his forehead, stained with hints of blood.

"What happened?" Eva stepped forward, gripping David's arm, "How did he get like this? Did Michael Cooper do this to him? Is his life in danger?"

David glanced at her hand on his arm and shook it off, stepping back to put some space between them.

"Ms. Hansen, I don't have the details. If you want to know, you should ask Mr. Cooper directly." "Fine, I'll ask him myself."

But instead of returning the phone, David took it back.

"If you want me to ask him, why won't you give me the phone to call?" she demanded.

"Ms. Hansen, Mr. Cooper means that he will discuss it with you in person," David replied.

Eva was speechless for a moment as David turned and started walking away.

Quickly, Eva followed after him.

"So when do we leave?"

"Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Eva's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you kidding? It was supposed to be today!"

David didn't bother responding.

With no other choice, Eva trailed behind him, incessantly talking about leaving today, her mind racing with images of Adrian lying in bed, injured. How could she possibly sit and wait? "David, David!"

He stopped abruptly and opened a door, "Ms. Hansen, this is your room. It's been cleaned; you can stay here comfortably. And by the way, if you have any way to communicate, tell your people outside to back off, or I can't guarantee Mr. Blackwood's safety."

Stunned, Eva wondered if Jacob and the others had arrived.

Frowning, she pulled out her phone and stepped into the bathroom to make a call, turning on all the taps. They can't possibly have cameras in the bathroom, right?

As soon as Jacob picked up her call, he asked urgently, "Ms. Hansen, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"And Mr. Blackwood? Is he there with you? What's the situation? Are there many people around?" Eva took a deep breath and said, "He's not here. You're wasting your time searching."

"Mr. Blackwood's gone? What about Michael Cooper? Is he around?"

"Only David is here."

At the mention of David's name, a look of recognition flickered across Jacob's face. "Isn't he the one we've been searching for? The one who saved-"

"Yeah, for various reasons, he's currently still helping Michael Cooper out."

After some thought, Eva outlined the next steps.

"Sit tight on your end. All I know for now is that Adrian Blackwood is not in the city. Or he might be bluffing. In any case, keep an eye out for clues while you search."

 

 

Chapter 448 Have him call me

Jacob nodded, "Got it. I'll keep the team alert. And you, Ms. Hansen...?"

"I'll be staying here for the time being. As for what's next, I'll find a way to reach out to you."

There wasn't much left for Jacob to wonder; she clearly wasn't planning to leave with them.

"Ms. Hansen, are you trapped or...?"

Trapped?

Eva glanced outside, contemplating how David had just left her, not bothering to see if she would try to escape.

Clearly, there was no plan to hold her captive.

Her own concern for Adrian Blackwood had been the real snare all along.

From the moment she booked her flight, she was trapped here.

"I'm not being held by anyone. I'm quite free, but you know why we came here. Take your people and leave today. Rest, and search for clues." There was a lengthy silence from the other end before the acknowledgment came.

"Ms. Hansen, I'll do as you've instructed. Don't worry."

Beep-beep- The call ended, and Eva placed the phone on the washbasin, bent over to splash water on her face, then shut off the faucet in the bathroom. She then turned to leave and look for David.

Expecting to find him holed up in some room of the villa, she was surprised to see him standing at the foot of the staircase, his posture rigid as if on guard.

His back was to her, concealing his expression from view, but Eva noticed his silhouette appeared much leaner than before.

Despite his current cold demeanor towards her, she remembered the hefty price he had paid to save her life. Eva might not have known what had transpired to cause such a drastic change in David's demeanor, but she had no doubts about his character, especially after he had been injured and still chose to help her.

Something must have happened that she was unaware of, leading to this shift.

With this thought, Eva approached deliberately and was about to speak when David, who had been standing still, turned around to face her.

He looked at her expressionlessly and asked, "Where does Ms. Hansen think she's going?"

"Nowhere in particular," Eva approached, keeping a safe distance, and spoke in an even tone. "I was just coming to ask if we could leave tonight?"

"Ms. Hansen, we are scheduled to depart tomorrow. No matter how you ask, that won't change."

"Can I speak with him, then?" she inquired.

"No," came the flat reply.

Silence hung in the air after the curt exchange. It was clear that there would be no departure tonight. A bit defeated, Eva pressed her lips together and headed back to her room.

Her mind was full of concern for Adrian Blackwood, and given David's rigid stance, combined with the radio silence from Michael Cooper, it seemed there was little hope for any movement that evening. Resigned to this, she let out a sigh and lay on the bed.

Her rest had been sporadic over the past few days, her body and eyes weary. Despite the fatigue, the image of a photograph she had seen earlier clouded her thoughts. The man in the photo was seriously injured. What had happened to him? Was he okay now? Was he in the care of medical staff?

Eva's only certainty about Michael Cooper was that Adrian Blackwood's life was not at risk. But as for whether the injuries might leave permanent scars or lingering effects, she was pretty sure those considerations were not on Michael Cooper's radar.

The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became, tossing and turning in bed.

Eventually, unable to sleep, she got up and made her way to the kitchen downstairs. As she opened the fridge and rummaged inside, David followed and offered, "If Ms. Hansen needs something, just let me know." Ignoring him, Eva searched until she finally grabbed two cold beers and turned to head upstairs.

An icy voice in David's earpiece immediately commanded, "Don't let her have the alcohol."

Yes, it was Michael Cooper's voice. He'd been monitoring the situation ever since Eva and David first crossed paths, his stance towards Eva blatant and chilly.

Upon hearing the authoritative command from Michael Cooper, David sprang into action, hastening his pace to catch up with Eva Hansen.

"Ms. Hansen," he called out.

Eva stopped, her expression unreadable as she turned to face him.

"You shouldn't have this drink," David extended his hand towards her, "Give it to me."

Eva glanced at the two bottles of beer in her own hands, a slight smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "What, am I not even free to choose what I want now?"

David didn't reply, his silence an implicit agreement.

Eva chuckled softly at his demeanor but didn't hand over the beer. Instead, she continued upstairs, beers in tow.

David's face darkened.

"Ms. Hansen," he called again.

Eva could hear David following her and her lips quirked up slightly; surely, David wasn't going to micromanage her down to not enjoying a couple of cold beers-unless of course, it was Michael Cooper pulling the strings. It seemed her every move was indeed being watched.

Was she really going to be denied a simple pleasure like two cold beers?

"Tell Michael Cooper to call me," she said firmly before turning and ascending the stairway.

Watching her silhouette vanish from sight, David spoke up, "Mr. Cooper, my apologies, Ms. Hansen, she..."

The voice on the other end cut off abruptly.

David hesitated for a moment, realizing that Cooper had ended the call to phone Ms. Hansen directly. Relieved of the momentary privacy, he let out a sigh but dared not do more; surveillance cameras were ubiquitous in the house. Eva entered her room and closed the door just as the tab of her beer can cracked open. Her phone started ringing.

She glanced at it, surmising who it might be, but instead of answering, she set the phone on the table and slowly brought the beer to her lips for a sip.

The chilled drink was refreshingly cool, dissipating some of the irritability stewing inside her. She took several gulps, ignored the first call, but after she was halfway through her bottle, the phone rang again. This time she answered. The moment she did, Michael Cooper's deep voice inquired, "Why are you drinking so much?"

Amused by the frustration in his tone, Eva retorted, "Since when is my drinking any of your concern? You imprison me, and now you dictate what I eat and drink?"

There was a pause on the other end before he responded, "Eva, your period is about to start, what are you going to do if you drink chilled alcohol now?"

Caught off guard by the unexpected concern, Eva was momentarily speechless.

She glanced at the calendar and realized her period was indeed around the corner, but she had been so swamped with everything that it had completely slipped her mind. Even if she had remembered, she probably would've still had a drink.

Her mood was just too sour.

With that thought, Eva said, "Whether I'm on my period is none of your business."

 

 

Chapter 449 I Can't Stand to See You Upset

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before he said, "You know I can't stand to see you upset."

"Is that so?" Eva scoffed.

"How about we skip the beer, okay?"

Before he could finish, Eva quickly responded, "Sure, then I'll leave tonight."

She had initially just wanted a cold beer to ease her restlessness, but if it turned out to be a leverage over Michael Cooper, she wasn't about to feel guilty for using it. After all, it was his threats that had brought her here in the first place.

Silence lingered on the line before he finally said, "Not tonight."

"Is that so?" Eva sneered, "If it's not happening, then I guess there's nothing left to discuss, right?"

"Eva, do you always have to be so contrary?"

"Contrary?" Eva's gaze dimmed, "I thought we were friends. If one day I am, it's probably because you pushed me there."

With those words, Eva hung up without another word and slowly sipped her beer.

After a while, the door opened and David walked in, reaching for the beer in her hand.

But Eva, as if she had anticipated his move, shifted it out of his reach.

David sighed, "Ms. Hansen, it's late, you should rest. Drinking now isn't good."

"Oh, I can't sleep. Is a little beer to help me doze off really such a crime?"

David pressed his lips together, falling silent.

"Leave, I'll rest once I'm done."

However, David stood still, seemingly lost in thought, until Eva shot him a look, and finally he spoke up, "Ms. Hansen, please don't drink anymore. Mr. Cooper has instructed me to take you now." At these words, Eva paused, her expression one of surprise as she looked at David.

She had intended to use this as a threat against Michael Cooper, but she didn't actually expect him to agree.

A complex emotion swelled in her heart as she bit her lip.

Even now, did he still care for her? He could have completely ignored her and waited until tomorrow. After all, how did her discomfort affect him?

"Ms. Hansen?"

Seeing her lost in thought and not responding, David called out to her again.

Hearing this, Eva snapped back to reality.

"Are we really heading to the airport now? I thought we were set to leave tomorrow," I asked, looking up in surprise.

David nodded. "That's the order from Mr. Cooper."

At his words, I quickly set down my beer and stood up, "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get going."

Adrian deep in thought

I slid into the passenger seat of David's car, and we drove off towards the airport. It was dark outside and eerily quiet. Ours was the only car around, arrogantly cruising without another soul in sight-just David, the man who had once helped

me.

Only one thing could explain this scenario: Michael Cooper was certain I wouldn't run away, and that's why he arranged it like this.

David, alert to every nuance of my condition, ever ready to interpret and convey Michael Cooper's thoughts and demands-it seemed they were in constant communication.

There must be more than just the phone for monitoring. No wonder David's been so distant. What if the surveillance was cut off?

But more importantly, was David being threatened?

Lost in a whirlwind of thoughts on the way to the airport, I was still dazed upon arrival. I only snapped back to reality when David opened the car door for me.

As I stepped out, I found David already standing in front of me. Looking up, I caught a secretive glance from him.

I paused, uncertain of his meaning, but considering Michael Cooper could be eavesdropping, I didn't dare make any rash moves.

Our eyes met and I started to understand.

Back at the villa, David had been distant. With cameras everywhere, it was impossible to communicate-not even a glance could be risked.

At the airport, though, it might be different-Michael Cooper's spies couldn't be as omnipresent as they were in the villa.

Sure, they could still have their human informants, but people can be lazy, and coverage wouldn't be as comprehensive.

Yet even here, surveillance could be lurking. Direct communication with David was out of the question.

If we were to talk, it had to be planned out for later.

After a moment, I said casually, "I just had a cold beer and now my stomach feels off."

David hesitated, then offered, "Ms. Hansen, would you like me to get you some medicine?"

I shook my head. "No need, but could I have a tissue?"

My demeanor was as detached as usual, leaving David momentarily unsure whether I'd caught the subtle cue he had tried to send with his earlier glance. "Sure," he responded, handing me a tissue.

David fished a tissue from his bag and handed it to Eva, his mind still teetering on whether he should subtly hint to her again about the matter at hand. When Eva took the tissue, her fingers scribbled a word on his palm. At first, David thought it was an accidental touch, but her fingers lingered, tracing a word in his palm.

He stood motionless until Eva finished writing, and after a brief moment of puzzlement, David realized she had written "wait."

Glancing at her, David noticed Eva was already entering the airport with the tissue in hand. As soon as she was inside, she was quickly approached by a group awaiting her.

Upon hearing Eva's intention to visit the restroom, several men volunteered to accompany her. With a frown, she retorted, "A bunch of you tagging along to the ladies' room-are you out of your minds?"

Her blunt words made the men sheepishly back off.

"Ms. Hansen, we didn't mean it like that," one of them stammered. "We're just worried about your safety due to the crowded, chaotic airport, so..."

Eva's sternness cut them off before they could finish, and they swiftly apologized, not daring to follow her to the restroom.

Once alone, Eva's beautiful brows knitted with frustration. She hadn't expected such an entourage at the airport; talking to David again now seemed impossible. With a sigh, she turned on the faucet to wash her hands when a college student, backpack in tow and earphones in place, stepped out. She was in the middle of a phone call but quickly scribbled something down, saying, "Hold on; let me jot that down."

Watching this, Eva had an idea. After the student had finished writing, Eva approached and asked, "Hi, may I borrow your pen for a moment?"

The student paused, surprised, but then handed over her pen after seeing Eva's intent gaze.

"Thank you," Eva said, taking the pen and jotting something on the tissue David had given her.

The college girl stayed put, observing Eva's odd behavior from the corner of her eye but too polite to read over her shoulder. Once Eva finished writing and returned the pen with a thank you, the student couldn't help but call out to her. Eva turned to look.

The girl pursed her lips, hesitating, then made a gesture at Eva.

She gestured, asking if Eva needed her to dial 911.

Eva realized the misunderstanding and shook her head with a light chuckle, "No, thank you."

 

 

Chapter 450 In Peril

After thanking the student for her concern, Eva left the restroom, rejoining the group outside. Unaware, she didn't see the college girl follow her out, watching from a distance as Eva was engulfed by the crowd of men.

"Ms. Hansen, you're back; we can head out now," someone declared, signaling that the time had come to depart. Eva Shen was well escorted by a protective group moving towards their destination, which didn't go unnoticed by a female

college student trailing behind. The scene struck her as increasingly odd.

While they were leaving, Eva seized an opportunity to slip the tissue she had prepared earlier into David's pocket. He caught the action with a flicker in his eyes but outwardly kept his composure as if nothing had happened, continuing to walk ahead.

It wasn't until just before boarding that he excused himself to the restroom. There, he unfolded the tissue and read the words Eva had written.

Her concerns were brief.

One question asked about Adrian Blackwood's current condition. The other was more personal-whether he, David himself, was under Michael Cooper's control due to some leverage.

A warmth bloomed in David's heart; Eva had seen through the facade to his true intentions, holding no misjudgments about his recent behavior.

After reading her note, David flushed the tissue away without showing any emotion and left the restroom.

-

On the plane, David was the only one seated next to Eva. Their companions were scattered in seats ahead, behind, and to their right. Eva glanced at David twice, each time met with no response, causing her to doubt whether he had even noticed the secret message she had planted.

The doubt crept in. Perhaps she had been too subtle, and it was not out of the question that he had failed to notice. Should she remind him now?

As the flight attendant blocked the aisle with the service cart, Eva turned to David, poised to jog his memory about the napkin, only to notice he had written a single word on the armrest- "Safe."

Their eyes met and she mouthed the word, to which he simply nodded.

Relieved, Eva settled back. The well-being of Adrian Blackwood had been her pressing concern, fearing his injuries might have long-lasting consequences, hence her urgency. Whether Adrian's departure was expedited by Michael Cooper or the care arranged sooner, both were welcomed developments.

Yet, David had only addressed the query about Adrian, leaving his own situation unspoken. When Eva tried to catch his eye again, he seemed totally disinterested in further dialogue.

She glanced around at the others each person occupied with snacks, yet their attention was notably fixed on her and David.

Appetite eluding her, Eva requested just a cup of warm water from the flight attendant before leaning back in her seat, closing her eyes to rest and gather her thoughts.

After enduring two consecutive flights, Eva Shen was truly exhausted. She leaned back in her seat, and within moments, slipped into a fitful slumber.

In her dream, she revisited the scene from a photograph she had seen earlier that day.

Eva walked over to where Adrian Blackwood lay unconscious and took a seat beside him. To her surprise, shortly after sitting down, Adrian stirred awake. Upon seeing him awake, she moved forward to ask about his condition.

But as soon as she approached, Adrian recoiled from her presence and stared at her with a cold, challenging gaze. "Who are you? Why are you in my hospital room?" he demanded.

His straightforward question left Eva frozen in place, her eyes wide with bewilderment as she failed to understand how he could not recognize her.

She was about to explain herself when he abruptly removed his IV line and left the room. In a panic, Eva hurried after him, but once she stepped out of the room, he was nowhere to be seen. She searched frantically, panting for breath, but Adrian Blackwood was lost to her.

She checked everywhere until finally spotting a figure from behind that was the spitting image of Adrian. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't catch up and could only watch from behind as he joined another woman, clad in a wedding gown, walking into the hall of matrimony.

Worse still, the bride then turned on her, scolding sharply, "Who is this wild woman? Do you think bringing along these illegitimate children will make you Mrs. Blackwood? It's a delusion. Leave now while I'm still calm, or don't blame me for being unkind later."

The children clung to her, wailing for their father, and Eva's mind was a whirlwind of confusion and panic. She couldn't understand how things had escalated so quickly.

Desperate to fix the situation, she found herself immobilized as if bound hand and foot, her anxiety building like a cat on a hot tin roof.

"Ms. Hansen, Ms. Hansen."

From afar, Eva thought she heard her name being called.

The voice seemed familiar, yet she couldn't quite place it. With each call, her head throbbed as if it might split.

"Ms. Hansen!"

Abruptly, Eva snapped awake, her eyes opening to a clearing visual field.

The chaotic images and the sounds of crying that had filled her dreams disappeared, replaced by the concerned face of David and two flight attendants. They were evidently relieved to see her awake, their faces brightening with joy. "You're awake now, Miss. Are you alright?" one of the attendants asked gently, dabbing the cold sweat off Eva's forehead with a caring gesture.

As the brightness embraced her and the comforting presence of those nearby surrounded her, Eva realized it had all been a dream-a nightmarish escape from reality.

Now, she had awakened.

With the realization that the fear was born of a dream, Eva exhaled in relief. Yet, even as the dread faded, her body remained rigid, her muscles limp with the aftermath of intense terror.

"It's okay; it was just a nightmare," she reassured herself, feigning a smile for her companions that quickly collapsed as she leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes in exhaustion.

Witnessing her weakened state, David spoke softly to the flight attendant, "Could we get some sugar water, or maybe some honey water?"

Barely had he finished his request when the attendant hastened to prepare it. In the meantime, David pulled a tissue from his pocket and offered it to Eva, "Ms. Hansen."

Eva accepted the tissue, but it remained clutched, unused in her hand, too weary to even wipe her sweat.

Seeing this, David tenderly took on the task himself.

Their fellow travelers didn't utter a word, their silence stemming from the shock of Eva's prior distress-they had all seen it, and feared for her wellbeing, worried about facing the ire of Mr. Cooper. So, nobody objected to David's attentiveness.

Feeling the gentle strokes of David's hand wiping her brow, Eva felt a flush of embarrassment and was about to insist on doing it herself when David spoke, "Ms. Hansen, you seem overly concerned about Mr. Blackwood. Try not to worry; as far as I know, his life isn't in immediate danger."