Chapter 776
Jareth’s gaze darkened upon hearing the words, “You’ve got the wrong number. Call the cops if you’ve got trouble. I’m not dealing with this.”
Call the cops? She wouldn’t dare!
Over the years, working under Gary at the Fairhaven Group, April had done a lot of evil things. If she called the cops, they’d dig up her past and air her dirty laundry for all to see. Before she knew it, she’d be trading her freedom for a cell!
“Jareth! Gary’s gone mad! He killed your grandpa!” April’s voice was hoarse with panic.
Jareth froze, then whirled around, every inch of his chiseled face tensed to breaking point, his heart pounding against his ribs,
“What did you say? Repeat that?”
“It was last night. Gary lured your grandpa to the Fairhaven family estate. I got wind of it and followed, intending to settle the divorce face to face with your grandpa. But I saw with my own eyes, Gary and Jackson hauling body bags out of the mansion. I even heard Gary ordering Jackson to ‘clean up‘ the bodies of your grandpa and his secretary!”
April recounted the terrifying scene, her voice trembling, “I was so scared, I ran for it. But they spotted me! They must have seen my car and known it was me. They’ve been hunting me since last night, and if I so much as poke my head out, he’ll kill me! He didn’t hesitate to kill his own blood; what chance do I stand?”
“Did he say how they’d dispose of the bodies?” Jareth’s world spun, as he struggled to keep his voice steady.
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“West. he told Jackson to take the bodies west. I don’t know exactly
where.”
“Lily, stay put.”
Without another word, Jareth hung up, his voice cutting off abruptly as he vanished into the crowd like a shadow fleeing the light.
April was still talking, still crying on the other end of the phone, but Jareth heard none of it. His instincts propelled him forward as his
mind was bombarded with memories.
He remembered the countless times his grandpa took him out to play when his father was buried in work;
He remembered Coco, the Doberman his grandpa gave him as a gift;~
He remembered his first taste of cotton candy, a treat from granddad, despite his parents‘ strictness;
And his name, it was granddad who had chosen it.
-“I’ve spent half my life in the red or the black, I’m tired of it. I want the Fairhaven Group to take the straight path, I want my grandson to have a bright and shining future.”
Without his grandpa, there would be no Jareth.
In an instant, all hope drained from him.
He silently prayed that April was mistaken, that granddad was still at the Fairhaven ranch, tending to his horses.
April, sensing Jareth’s silence, played her final card,
“Aren’t you still searching for the one who killed your father? I’ll tell you, you’re right to suspect Gary! Just ensure my safety and help me leave the country, and I’ll provide you with evidence of Gary’s guilt. I have it!”
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Jareth’s eyes closed, his voice a whisper amidst the storm raging within him,
“Tell me your location.”
After the fireworks show, Aaron and Marilla walked shoulder to This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
shoulder, blending into the departing crowd.
Despite his rejected confession, Aaron wasn’t one to shatter easily. He talked and laughed as if nothing happened.
If he couldn’t be her lover, he’d be her friend–the most trusted one, content in her presence.
Lily followed quietly behind them, her mind racing with concern for Jareth, who had left looking ashen– faced.
Aaron remembered Marilla’s longing gaze at a toy in a shop window earlier. Intending to buy it for her on their way out, he now saw his chance as they approached the shop.
“Marilla, wait here a sec. I’ll be right back,” Aaron said, his eyes lighting
1. up.
“Okay,” Marilla replied, nodding sweetly.
alon
Aaron turned to enter the shop but thought better of leaving Marilla
with her social anxiety. He spun back around, deciding to bring her inside for a proper look around.
But as Aaron turned back, Marilla had vanished.
“Marilla?” His heart in his throat, he called out her name to no
response.
In just a few seconds, a vibrant 22–year–old woman had disappeared
without a trace.
Aaron’s face drained of color as he plunged into the crowd, frantically
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searching for her familiar form.
Nothing. Every face was a stranger’s, bringing a chill to his heart.
Just as Aaron was about to call for help, his phone rang,
“Aaron! It’s Lily! I saw everything. Two men in black knocked out Ms. Marilla and whisked her away. They were professionals! I’m chasing them toward the old north gate of the park. They’re trying to take her out that way. Hurry!”
“On it!” Aaron bolted, adrenaline fueling his every step.
The north side of the amusement park bordered an undeveloped wooded area, dim and deserted.
Aaron caught up with Lily, and with his detective’s eye, they followed the trail.
Ahead, they glimpsed the kidnappers carrying Marilla toward the old north gate.
“Hold it right there! Police! Let her go!” Aaron’s voice thundered through the woods.
The word “police” halted the captors for a moment–a moment that might just save Marilla’s life.
Aaron couldn’t believe his eyes–their pursuers were gaining ground, even with the threat of his gun.
“Damn it!” Aaron cursed, his hand instinctively reaching for the cold metal of the gun tucked behind his back. “Run again, and I swear I’ll shoot!”
But his threat fell on deaf ears. The kidnappers didn’t even flinch, a sure sign they had some heavy backup.
“You’re a cop, Aaron. You can’t just open fire without consequences.
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We can catch them!” Lily’s voice was calm, a stark contrast to the tension in the air.
Before Aaron could respond, a dark figure emerged with chilling swiftness, blocking their path. The aura of menace was palpable, like an insurmountable wall of ice, cold and unyielding.