Chapter 7
Kaneeta was stunned. She was completely thrown off by Woodrow’s question.
He seemed genuinely upset.
But … why?
Just because she said she’d go back to the dinner party, even though she felt unwell?
They barely knew each other.
“Well, not exactly…”
In fact, she just wanted to go back to tell her colleagues that she’d be going.
But on second thought, maybe that wasn’t necessary.
Tonight was about Nyasia, who had all their attention. Who would care if she had left or not?
Just then, someone knocked on the door to the private room.
A man, who seemed to be Woodrow’s assistant, stood by the door.
“Mr. Hartwell, everyone’s expecting you.”
Woodrow was always the kingpin on every occasion. With his absence, the business dinner wouldn’t get started.
“Mr. Hartwell, sorry for holding you up,” Kaneeta quickly said.
“It’s fine.” Woodrow remained expressionless again, as if his earlier sullenness was merely her illusion.
Then he turned to leave, signaling his assistant with his eyes before walking out of the door.
Catching his drift, his assistant immediately nodded.
After Woodrow left, Kaneeta sat in place for another while. Feeling better, she left the restaurant. As she stood by the road, ready to hail a cab, a black sedan stopped in front of her.
The car door on the driver’s side opened, and Woodrow’s assistant stepped out.
“Ms. Drayton,” he smiled while walking over to her, “Mr. Hartwell wanted me to give you a lift.”
“I’m good,” she quickly said and waved her hand. “I’ve troubled him a lot today.”
“Don’t mention it,” he said. “Actually, the Hartwell Group and the Drayton Group have been collaborating closely these past two years, and we’re about to deepen our partnership.”
After a pause, he continued, “So, it’s only right for Mr. Hartwell to show you consideration.”
Hearing this, Kaneeta figured she’d probably see Woodrow a lot after she went back home.
Maybe she shouldn’t insist on turning down his offer.
“Thank you, then,” she said.
“My pleasure.”
He eagerly opened the car door for her.
Meanwhile, Woodrow sat by the window in the upscale VIP room on the top floor of the restaurant.
He looked down, watching as Kaneeta got into the car and left.
Someone bold joked, “What’s so attractive out there that fascinates you so much, Mr. Hartwell?”
He withdrew his gaze and replied coldly, “Nothing.”
Hearing this, no one dared to say anything anymore.
He pulled out his phone and opened WhatsApp. His gaze swept over his chat box with Kaneeta before falling upon the messages his mother, Elara Voss, had sent the night before.
“The Drayton family has agreed to the marriage alliance.”
“You’re in Calchester now, right? They say Kaneeta’s there, too. Why don’t you go see her? Take this more seriously, will you?”
He replied with only an “OK”.
Pondering, he texted her, “Mom, where’s Dr. Locke now?”
Elara replied soon, “Seraphina? She went abroad again last month and hasn’t come back. She left in a hurry and didn’t tell me where she was going, and I can’t reach her now. What do you want?”
His gaze darkened slightly.
“Nothing. Tell me when you get through to her.”
***
Woodrow’s assistant drove Kaneeta back to her place.
She took a few deep breaths while standing at the door.
This place used to be her home, but now, it was just a temporary residence, and a disgusting one, no less.
She had to get to the bottom of the car accident and couldn’t afford to spook Edmund and Nyasia. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have come back at all.
Before the two came back, she scoured every corner, especially Edmund’s study.
But nothing useful came up.
She wasn’t exactly surprised. After all, why would he leave any traces back home now that he was covering for Nyasia?
She wasn’t just trying out her luck.
As she walked out of his study, she heard the sound of the door opening.
In the next second, Edmund and Nyasia walked in.
They were even holding hands.
