Chapter 39
“Harper.
The sound of tapping came from the other end of the call.
Harper couldn’t speak so they primarily communicated through messages. When they were on a call, Harper responded by tapping on the microphone.
“Aunt Anne… and I will be back tonight.”
Harper was alone. Audrey wasn’t ready to tell her about Anne’s passing.
“Tap, tap.
Audrey couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. She told Harper, “I have some things to take care of. I’ll hang up now.”
“Tap, tap.”
After hanging up, Audrey forced herself to eat something.
At the dining table, Julian told Audrey about the surveillance footage. Nathan had pushed Anne, but when he saw a car speeding towards the sidewalk, he had tried to pull her back. He broke his arm trying to save her.
Julian initially hadn’t wanted Audrey to watch the video, but she insisted.
In the video, Anne had a photo in her hand, and was clearly trying to get close to Nathan. The video had no audio, so Audrey couldn’t hear Anne’s words. From her expressions, Audrey understood that she was pleading with Nathan to look at the photo.
With teary eyes, Audrey didn’t watch the video to the end. She looked away when the car drove onto the sidewalk, and Nathan reached out to pull Anne away.
She paused the video on the tablet and closed her eyes. She covered her face and couldn’t hold back
her tears any longer.
Ryan took the tablet away and put a cup of hot milk on the table beside Audrey.
He then turned to give i
to Julian. “Get Louis Farrel from the legal department of our Sheysea branch to handle this matter. Anne’s daughter is still a minor. Try to get more compensation.
“Okay!” Julian replied. “I’ve already booked the flight tickets. We leave at 10:30 am and arrive in Jorstton at 12:25 pm. From there, it’s about a 90–minute drive to Eastville.”
Hearing Julian’s words, Audrey pressed a tissue against her swollen eyes. She said with a nasal voice,” I’ll go back to Eastville on my own.”
Noticing Ryan watching her, she spoke slowly, “Aunt Anne has no relatives other than me and
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Harper. She was trafficked to Sayeno Town because she was tricked by a friend. So, she didn’t have many friends over the years. It’ll just be me and Harper at her funeral.
“As for the car accident compensation, I appreciate your help. If we can get more, it will help Harper’s future.”
Audrey knew Ryan was very busy. A lawyer could handle the car accident compensation, so there was no need for Ryan to accompany her to Eastville.
“Okay…” Ryan picked up his coffee cup. “Let Julian accompany you.”
“Julian’s skills would be wasted if he comes with me. I can go alone. Just have the driver take me to the airport.”
Audrey seemed to have found a way to interact with Ryan. By turning down his offer and asking smaller favors, she made it difficult for him to refuse.
“Alright.” Ryan nodded and put his coffee aside.
After she had a bite of food, the driver drove Audrey to the airport. Jess noticed she didn’t eat a lot, so she made some sandwiches for Audrey to cat on the way to the airport.
Julian spoke to Ryan after Audrey left, “Edward called me earlier. He has reserved seats for tonight’s Concert. The chairman wants you to take Miss Shaw. The concert is at 7:30 pm. We have a flight back. to Mythravia at 12:20 pm. Is that okay?”
Ryan stood in front of the window of the second–floor study. He watched the car drive away. He told Julian, “Cancel it.”
Julian, arranging the schedule on his tablet, looked up in surprise.
Ryan added dismissively…
there’s something urgent at the Sheysea branch.”
Julian pursed his lips. After a moment, he said, “Sir, although I’m just your assistant, I’ve been with you for many years and think of you as a brother. Speaking from the heart… Sir, I think you shouldn’t refuse the chairman.“
