Chapter 19
Chapter 19:
A couple of days earlier, Colton had orchestrated a false emergency at her company, hoping it would lure her back. To his frustration, she had ignored the bait entirely and carried on with her life in Peudon as if nothing had happened. Bobby could not make sense of it. Everyone believed Elyse was the one Colton truly cared for, yet here he was, stubbornly insisting on bringing Kristine back.
Colton’s voice grew colder. “Bobby, I hired you to get things done. If you can’t handle it, I’ll find someone who can p>
A sense of powerlessness mixed with irritation weighed heavily on Bobby. Since Kristine refused to return and his boss had made it unmistakably clear that coercion was not an option, he found himself without a workable plan. The thought of the sizable dividends Yates Group paid out every year, however, hardened his resolve, and he finally made up his mind.
“Please rest assured, Mr. Yates. I will find a way to bring Miss Green back p>
From a concealed spot, Colton allowed a faint smile to curve his lips.
Back in Peudon, when Kristine mentioned needing someone reliable to protect the antiques her father had left behind, Victor considered the matter carefully before responding. “Those items were extremely precious to your father, and proper care requires real expertise. Right now, though, I don’t have anyone appropriate to suggest p>
𝗣𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻
After a brief pause, Kristine answered calmly. “In that case, I’ll look for someone on my own p>
“Please don’t misunderstand,” Victor said at once. “I was close to your father, and since you’ve come to me for help, I won’t turn you away. I’ll keep watch and find the right person for the job p>
With genuine appreciation, Kristine replied, “Thank you, Mr. Todd p>
A faint smile crossed Victor’s face. “Back then, your father played a big role in helping me settle down and build my career here in Peudon. Ah, there’s also…” His words trailed off.
“Go ahead. You can say it p>
Victor rubbed his thinning hair and sighed gently. “This may not be my place, but before your father passed, your mother had already taken an interest in his antiques. You really should keep a careful eye on them p>
A sharp pain struck Kristine’s chest. “Thank you for telling me, Mr. Todd. I will p>
“Alright then,” Victor said with a nod. “You should get back to your work p>
Kristine acknowledged him quietly and returned to her desk, her mind heavy with lingering thoughts.
Once the workday ended, Kristine reached out to a real estate agent to look into several properties. Her father’s antiques were still in storage, which meant she needed to secure a proper place and move them without delay.
The house was located deep in the suburbs, and by the time she arrived it was close to midnight. Walking alone through the quiet neighborhood, she quickened her pace despite the streetlights illuminating the road. Just as she reached her front door, she spotted two figures nearby.
“Who’s there?” she asked cautiously.
Slowly, two people stepped out of the shadows. The moment Kristine recognized the police uniforms, her chest tightened.
“We’re from the Gridron Police Department,” one officer said. “A report has been filed claiming that a company registered under your name, K&C Entertainment, may be involved in overseas money laundering. We need you to accompany us for questioning p>
Kristine froze, her thoughts scattering. “What p>