Chapter 494
Chapter 494:
“Sure thing! I’ll leave right away if you ask me to,” John said, making a swift exit and disappearing almost immediately. As he left in haste, his phone began ringing. Glancing at the caller ID, John felt an impending headache.
Steeling himself, he answered, “Good evening, Mrs. Barton.” The response was sharp and pointed. “John, you’ve kept me waiting without any updates. What’s going on p>
Maggie Barton’s demanding tone sent a shiver down John’s spine. He laughed nervously and responded, “Mrs. Barton, patience is the key. Austin is definitely flipped. I’m sure I’ll have good news soon—trust me, okay? I even got chased around town trying to capture the perfect photo for you p>
“Is that so? Well, I appreciate your efforts. Keep pressing Austin. We’re all counting on you to see if he could finally settle down p>
John grimaced slightly, reflecting on his unintended role as matchmaker for Austin and Yelena.
Why did no one appreciate his struggles?
“I’ll keep at it, Mrs. Barton p>
“Go for it, John!” she replied cheerfully.
As soon as Maggie ended the call, John felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
But then, a strange, unsettling sensation crept over him, as though someone nearby was watching him.
John felt an itch between his shoulder blades, the unmistakable sensation of someone’s gaze boring into him. It made his pulse quicken and his skin prickle with unease.
The weight of the stare seemed to come from behind, pressing down like an invisible force.
A cold dread crept up his spine as suspicion blossomed. His body tensed, muscles locking in place. He didn’t dare glance back.
For a fleeting moment, John thought about bolting, but before he could act on the impulse, a firm hand gripped his collar, halting him in his tracks.
𝒯ℎ𝑒 𝒽𝑒𝒻𝓮𝑅𝒽𝑒𝓃𝒸𝑒𝒻𝒾𝒆𝓃𝓒𝑒: 𝑔𝓪𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝓈.𝒸𝓂
Reluctantly, John turned his head, forcing an awkward grin as he met Austin’s steady gaze. “Hey! Fancy bumping into you here. Small world, huh p>
Casting him a look, Austin replied, his tone as cool as winter frost, “We’re in my house p>
“Right… of course… your house,” John muttered, his lips twitching into a nervous half-smile.
Darn it! John cursed inwardly. He could’ve waited until he got to his car before answering the call, but no, he couldn’t afford to keep Maggie waiting. He could already imagine her overanalyzing things if he hadn’t picked up.
Austin crossed his arms, his piercing eyes narrowing. “So, you’ve been sneaking around lately—just to chat with my mom?” Austin’s gaze sharpened, his eyes drilling into John with an unspoken question, as though demanding to know since when Maggie and John had grown so chummy.
Feeling a flicker of resentment, John shot back, “Austin, you’ve been camped out in Eighfast for ages. Did you really think we wouldn’t catch on to what you’re really up to p>
Austin’s brow quirked slightly, the faintest glimmer sparking in his deep-set eyes.
John smirked inwardly. Silent treatment, huh? That wasn’t going to cut it.
Sure, Austin had business to handle for Barton Group, but it wasn’t like he was irreplaceable. Others could pick up the slack.
The real reason Austin was still here, far from Kheley, was his mother. She was on his case, and everyone knew it.
At first, Austin had used his illness as an excuse, but thanks to Yelena’s intervention, he was back to his old self. That excuse no longer held water.
Maggie had upped the ante, lining up blind dates like dominoes. Not interested in the matchmaking circus or her constant nagging, Austin had fled to Eighfast for some peace.
“Austin, I’ve been doing you a favor,” John said, leaning in with a conspiratorial grin. “I told your mom you’ve fallen for someone. Haven’t you noticed she’s stopped blowing up your phone p>