Chapter 1154
After what felt like an eternity, Tarquin finally broke the silence with a comforting tone, “You’ve got to take care of yourself first. Winona is counting on you to save her p>
Ridley sank onto the couch, his face buried in his hands, tears streaming down his cheeks. He sobbed for a moment, then suddenly lifted his hand and slapped himself hard across the face, twice.
“I’ve failed Winona,” he cried out, his voice cracking with sorrow. “I can’t believe I fell for Zane’s lies! I trusted him p>
“She’s been in trouble for so long, and I haven’t even looked for her! My poor Winona p>
“That bastard Zane! Winona was so good to him, and we, the Newsom family, treated him like one of our own. How could he do something so… so monstrous p>
“If he didn’t love Winona anymore, that’s fine, they could have just divorced! No one forced him to love Winona forever p>
“When they got married, I even said, if there ever comes a day when he no longer loves my daughter, I wouldn’t blame him. Just return her to me safe and sound p>
“How could he… that bastard! I… I’m calling him right now p>
Overcome with emotion, Ridley fumbled for his phone, intent on confronting Zane.
Tarquin quickly intervened, “We can’t alert him until we find Winona. If he senses we’re onto him, he might do something drastic p>
The mention of “drastic” stopped Ridley in his tracks, his face turning ashen. He hesitated, then put his phone away, nodding slowly.
“Yes, yes, you’re right. We can’t risk tipping him off p>
Tarquin continued, “I came to you in private because I didn’t want to arouse Zane’s suspicion. If he’s capable of this, he’s likely watching your every move p>
“I’d wager the Newsom family is crawling with his spies right now p>
Ridley, seething with anger, struggled to catch his breath. “I trusted him too much! Thank you, Mr. Bradford, for telling me the truth. I need to find a way to save Winona p>
“I’ve already thought of a plan for you p>
Ridley was taken aback. He had assumed Tarquin’s visit was solely to inform him about Winona. He hadn’t anticipated that he’d already have a plan in place.
Ridley was overwhelmed with gratitude. “The Newsom family owes the Bradford family a great debt p>
Tarquin smiled reassuringly, “No need to thank us. Winona is like family to us. She’s my wife Elysia’s closest friend, as close as sisters. Her troubles are ours p>
Ridley’s eyes glistened with emotion. “Thank Elysia for us! Knowing her has been a blessing for Winona p>
Both he and his wife had always liked Elysia, but they never imagined she was capable of such great influence. She was the only child of the Hawkins family, heir to Hawkins Sea-freight, and the most esteemed woman in their social circles.
Born into privilege, married into prestige, she truly was a woman of destiny.
Ridley wiped his tears, then eagerly asked, “Mr. Bradford, what’s your plan to save Winona p>
Tarquin laid it out, “There are three ways Winona could come back to us.” “One, she gets lucky and escapes on her own p>
“Two, we gather clues, piece by piece, to find her location and rescue her p>
“Three, Zane brings her back himself p>
“The first option is unrealistic. It’s been over a year, and she hasn’t returned, so she can’t do it alone p>
“The second option is feasible but slow p>
“I’m leaning towards the third option, getting Zane to bring her back himself p>
Compared to searching aimlessly, finding a way to make Zane return her would be much faster!
Ridley was puzzled. “But Zane’s already kidnapped Winona. Why would he ever bring her back p>
Tarquin gave him a knowing look, hinting at a plan yet to be revealed.