Chapter 82

Chapter 82

The Regal City Fashion Week show was buzzing with excitement, and the flash of cameras was constant.

Patricia sat in the front row of the VIP section, gracefully chatting with the designers around her, but her eyes kept darting to the entrance. 

She had sent Charles a message, but it remained unread.

The entire show ended without that familiar figure appearing.

Feeling puzzled, Patricia took out her phone to call Charles, but Calvin, who had somehow appeared beside her, pressed down on her phone. 

"Mr. Anderson might have had something come up. I read a report a few days ago that the Anderson Group has a collaboration here. He's probably in a meeting right now."

Patricia nodded, still looking at her phone reluctantly, feeling a strange sense of unease.

Calvin glanced at his watch and suggested, "We still have some time. The night view of Regal City is pretty nice. Want to take a walk?"

Patricia suppressed the irritation in her heart and smiled, "I was just thinking of getting some souvenirs for friends. Thank you for the trouble."

Calvin noticed her forced calmness and understood, "No need to be so polite with me." He naturally took her coat. "There's a nearby craft store that's quite unique. I'll take you there."

"Sure."

As they left the venue, snow was still falling, and the cold wind was biting.

Patricia tightened her coat and followed Calvin through the snow, her mind in turmoil.

What was Charles doing? Why wasn't he answering his phone?

She sent a message to Paul, but there was no reply either.

Was something wrong?

Lost in thought, Patricia didn't notice when they entered a store.

The doorbell of the craft store chimed, and as she gathered her scattered thoughts, she saw a familiar figure.

Adeline was talking to her daughter, her profile softened by the warm light.

Adeline glanced at Patricia and exclaimed, "What a coincidence, seeing you here."

"Small world," Patricia stepped forward, looking at the little girl in Adeline's arms, her gaze softening. "Hey there, do you remember me?"

"Her name is Isabel," Adeline said, patting her daughter's head.

Isabel hid behind Adeline and blinked, then shyly handed over a beautifully wrapped candy. "Candy."

Patricia's previously anxious heart melted instantly. She crouched down and took the candy. "Thank you, Isabel."

Looking into Isabel's clear eyes, Patricia felt a strange sense of familiarity, as if she had seen them somewhere before.

"Are you here to buy souvenirs too?" Adeline asked, noticing the shopping basket in Patricia's hand.

"Yeah, I wanted to get some gifts for friends back home." Patricia unwrapped the candy and popped it into her mouth. 

The sweetness spread, lifting her mood instantly. She smiled at Isabel and asked, "What about you? Are you planning to go back home?"

Adeline's nod paused for a moment before she smiled, "Yeah, I plan to take Isabel back for a visit."

After chatting briefly, Patricia went to look at the jewelry. Calvin picked out a small bear pendant and handed it to her. "Do you think Emily would like this?"

Patricia thought of Emily's bed full of teddy bears and couldn't help but laugh. "She'll probably be thrilled."

Calvin put the toy in the basket and went to look at other items.

Patricia wandered to a shelf with landmark pendants. She remembered Charles's study, which had a sand table filled with famous buildings from around the world.

In her previous life, she learned later that Charles liked to collect these landmarks and display them together. 

Busy with work, he didn't have time to travel, so he decorated the sand table to fulfill his travel dreams.

She spotted a shelf with Eiffel Tower pendants and reached for one, but another hand reached out at the same time, and they both froze.

"You like this too?" Adeline looked at Patricia in surprise. "We really are connected. My daughter loves this Eiffel Tower pendant."

Patricia was equally surprised and looked down at Isabel beside Adeline. "It's for my husband. He likes to collect these."

Adeline covered her mouth in surprise, looking envious. "Is your husband the gentleman from earlier? Then you should have it. It's the last one."

Patricia looked at the shelf with the last Eiffel Tower pendant, thought for a moment, and put it back. "Let Isabel have it. She seems to really like it."

Adeline smiled gratefully at Patricia. "Thank you. When we go back home, we must meet up."

Patricia nodded politely.

Isabel happily got the Eiffel Tower pendant and pulled Adeline to the counter to pay. Patricia watched them leave, her brows furrowing slightly.

She couldn't shake the feeling that the little girl seemed familiar. Where had she seen her before?

Calvin walked over and followed her gaze. "What's wrong? Did you see something you like?"

"Nothing." Patricia shook her head. "Let's finish shopping. It looks like the snow is getting heavier."

The craft store's items were unique. Patricia asked the clerk for a different style of Eiffel Tower pendant and walked to the checkout with Calvin.

Adeline had just finished paying when her phone suddenly rang. She glanced at the caller ID, and her face turned pale.

Isabel tugged at her coat and asked softly, "Mommy, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." Adeline quickly hung up, her voice trembling. "Isabel, we need to go."

She almost dragged Isabel to the door, stumbling as she passed Patricia.

Patricia held her phone, Charles's name flashing on the screen. She reached out to steady Adeline, but Adeline pulled away.

Adeline jerked her hand back as if burned, hurriedly stuffing her phone into her bag. "We, we have something to do. We need to go."

Watching them leave in a hurry, Patricia's curiosity deepened. She turned to Calvin. "Calvin, do you know that woman?"

Calvin was taken aback and followed her gaze, then shook his head. "No, why?"

Patricia didn't say anything more, just stared at the door.

Her phone rang again, this time it was Paul.

Patricia frowned, took a deep breath, and answered, trying to keep her voice calm. "Hello?"

"Mrs. Anderson, where are you now?" Paul's voice was loud with wind noise. "Mr. Anderson just finished his meeting. We're arranging a car to pick you up."

"Let Charles answer the phone." Patricia stepped aside with her phone. "I know he's next to you."

Paul hesitated for a long time, covering the microphone, and looked at Charles for help.

Charles's face was flushed, his eyes slightly hazy. He moved his lips and gestured for the phone.

Taking the phone, his voice was hoarse and somewhat pleading. "Where are you? I'll come get you."