Chapter 13
Thurston moved quickly, and Nike’s efficiency was equally impressive. When Nike called, Thurston answered on speakerphone in the car.
“Mr. Fletcher,” Nike’s voice filled the cabin. “I’ve checked. Mrs. Sherwood never boarded the plane. Only Mr. Sherwood boarded. He simply bought two tickets p>
“Then where is she?” Jane demanded immediately, her voice laced with panic.
Thurston was also thrown into disarray. He knew that whether he confessed or covered it up now, the outcome wouldn’t be pretty. He had to keep playing dumb. He silently swore to settle the score with Kingsley later.
“We are investigating with all resources,” Nike replied.
A thought struck Jane—she suspected the person chatting with her for the past few days wasn’t Lucy at all.
Her fingers flew across the screen as she sent a message: [Lucy, are you having fun on your trip p>
She quickly added: [How come you haven’t posted any photos p>
Thurston hung up and ordered the driver, “Go to The Vista Gardens p>
Jane put away her phone and turned to him, her eyes scrutinizing. “Thurston, are you hiding something from me p>
“Let’s just go to The Vista Gardens and see,” Thurston dodged the question. Some things weren’t ready to be said.
Jane looked at him deeply, her tone turning cold. “If anything has happened to Lucy, you and Kingsley can both wait and see. We’re done p>
Thurston panicked and rushed to explain, “Honey, this really has nothing to do with me! I was tricked by Kingsley too! He married Lucy solely to get revenge on Harland I only just found out! I swear, every word I’ve told you is true. If I’m lying p>
“Thurston Jane interrupted him. “I
believe you, but I’ll settle accounts
with
you p>
later.” She saw the honesty
in his gaze and stopped focusing off the lies. What mattered now was finding Lucy.
“Right now, use whatever connections you have. Find Lucy.” Thurston quickly reassured her, “She’ll be fine. She’s definitely fine p>
But privately, he had no confidence. He couldn’t gauge the extent of Kingsley’s madness. He cursed inwardly Bastard What kind of bad Huck makes me friends with him. My own marriage is on the line because of his mess p>
Twenty minutes later, Nike called again. Thurston kept it on speaker.
“Found her,” Nike said. “Mrs. Sherwood is at The Vista Gardens. But… her freedom has been restricted p>
Knowing the relationship between Jane and Lucy, Nike avoided the harsher word · imprisoned.
“Who did it? Was it that bastard Kingsley?” Jane demanded, anger flooding her eyes. “Why restrict Lucy’s freedom? Just because she found out he married her under false pretenses p>
Even over the phone, Nike felt Jane’s rage. “No, my lady. They were planning to divorce, but Mrs. Sherwood is pregnant. Mr. Sherwood wants to keep the child p>
“Child Jane felt a mix of emotions
at the word and fell silent. Her mind was filled with thoughts of
Lucy that girl who seemed carefree but used a cheerful facade to protect a sensitive, fragile core.
She simply told the driver, “Faster p>
Thurston hung up and tried to comfort her. “Kingsley should be taking care of her p>
“She’s pregnant, yet she’s locked up and forbidden from contacting the outside world. That is imprisonment! Is that what you call ‘taking care p>