Chapter 29 Chance Encounter
Elodie's POV
"If she knows Nelson's schedule inside and out, doesn't that mean Nelson's enemies know too?" I gripped his arm tightly. "She's not targeting me—she's targeting Nelson! She wants him dead!"
Rod immediately pulled out his phone and dialed the number I knew by heart, but all I heard was the cold automated message saying the phone was off. Sweat broke out on his forehead as he quickly pressed another string of numbers, with the same result.
"Can't reach him..."
"Where the hell is he?!" I demanded sharply.
At this point, Rod didn't dare hide anything anymore. He looked at me and forced out a few words with difficulty, "Chicago. He went to Chicago to meet with the Elders of several families."
Gang elders.
Those words made my heart stop.
This wasn't some business meeting—it was a trap where one wrong step could mean total destruction.
And now his whereabouts had been exposed.
"Book tickets," I decided immediately. "We're going to Chicago now."
Rod was stunned by my decisiveness. He froze for a second, then nodded firmly and immediately started working on his phone.
We hurriedly prepared to leave. Just as we reached the entrance, Graham, who had been silent the whole time, blocked our path.
She held three thick coats in her hands. Her wrinkled face showed no expression, but her sharp eyes swept back and forth between us.
"I'm coming too," she said simply. "Boss isn't here. I need to watch over you two."
Rod and I exchanged glances, both seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.
Every second counted right now—there was no time to explain or argue with her.
The three of us rushed to the airport as fast as possible and caught the next red-eye flight to Chicago.
The plane cut through the night sky. The roar of the engines blocked out everything outside, but couldn't stop the panic in my heart.
Several hours later, we finally arrived at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
The early morning Chicago wind was biting cold, clearing my foggy head a bit. I grabbed Rod, who was walking quickly, and asked the most crucial question. "Do you know where they're meeting?"
Rod's steps halted. His tall frame looked somewhat defeated under the cold lights.
He turned around, his face showing deep regret and helplessness. "I have no idea where exactly. For security purposes, the boss was supposed to reach out to me when it was all done."
My heart sank inch by inch with his words.
Chicago was so big—searching without a target was like finding a needle in a haystack.
Seeing my face turn pale instantly, Rod tried to rally himself. "Let's find a hotel first. Sir has a tracker on him. As soon as he turns on his phone, I can find him right away."
That became our only hope.
The next morning, when I came downstairs, Rod was already dressed and standing by the window on the phone. He kept his voice low, but the anxiety in his tone was obvious.
Seeing I was awake, he quickly ended the call and said to me, "Miss Elodie, I'm going out for a bit to contact some friends here and see if I can find out anything about sir. You and Graham stay at the hotel. Don't go out, no matter what."
I nodded, my mind in chaos.
After Rod left, only Graham and I remained in the large suite.
She was like a silent shadow, quietly preparing breakfast for me, but those sharp eyes kept landing on me from time to time, carrying scrutiny and a hint of barely noticeable concern.
I had no appetite and was absentmindedly poking at the fried egg on my plate when my phone rang at the worst possible moment.
Seeing the name on the screen, I pressed the reject button without hesitation.
But the caller clearly wasn't giving up—the ringtone soon started again.
I rejected it again.
The third time, the ringtone rang stubbornly, like a death knell.
The nameless anger in my chest couldn't be suppressed anymore. I simply answered and said coldly before he could speak. "What the hell do you want?"
"Elodie, you finally answered!" Alex's voice sounded somewhat anxious. "Why didn't you come to school today? I texted you and you didn't reply. Did something happen?"
"My business has nothing to do with you."
With that, I hung up and dragged his number into my blocklist.
Just as I put down my phone, a familiar dragging pain suddenly came from my lower abdomen, followed by a sharp cramp.
I clutched my stomach, my face turning pale instantly.
Damn it, of all times.
I endured the pain and walked into the bathroom, and sure enough, saw the expected bloodstain.
I searched through my entire suitcase but couldn't find any backup sanitary products.
Graham saw my expression was off and walked over, frowning. "What's wrong? Not feeling well?"
I felt a bit embarrassed, but still said quietly, "I... my period came. I need to go out and buy some things."
As soon as Graham heard this, she immediately turned to get her coat. "I'll go with you."
We found a large shopping mall near the hotel.
Graham stayed right by my side, vigilantly observing everyone around us. Her battle-ready demeanor made me feel both amused and sad.
I walked quickly to the feminine products section, wanting to solve the problem as soon as possible.
Just as I was buried in carefully selecting from rows of dizzying tampon shelves, a gentle male voice suddenly spoke beside me.
"Miss Elodie? What a coincidence."
I whipped my head around, my face full of shock.
York was standing next to me, still in that well-tailored suit, his dark eyes behind gold-rimmed glasses carrying just the right amount of smile, looking refined and cultured.
How could he be here?
From New York to Chicago—this was too much of a coincidence.
"York?" I said in surprise.
"Didn't expect to run into you here," he explained with a smile. "The company has some business in Chicago, so I came to handle it."
His explanation was flawless.
He glanced at what I was holding. His gaze showed no offense, just naturally shifted the topic. "Is Miss Elodie here traveling?"
"No, some personal matters." I was vague, my mind still worried about Nelson, really not in the mood for small talk.
"I see," York nodded, then extended an invitation. "Since we've run into each other like this, I wonder if I have the honor of treating Miss Elodie to a meal?"
I was about to find an excuse to decline when Graham had already found me.
She saw a handsome stranger standing next to me, paused in her steps, and her sharp gaze instantly swept York from head to toe like a searchlight.
"Who's this?" Graham walked to my side, subtly pulling me behind her, her tone flat but full of vigilance.
"This is York. He helped me before in New York." I gave a brief introduction, then said to York, "This is Graham, my... elder."
"Ms. Graham, hello." York politely extended his hand.
But Graham pretended not to see it—just nodded slightly and grabbed my wrist. "Miss Elodie, we should go back."
Her attitude was cold and firm, making the atmosphere somewhat awkward.
I thought Graham was being too cautious—York had helped me, after all.
I smiled apologetically at York. "I'm sorry, York. I really do have urgent matters to attend to. We'll have to do dinner another time."
"No problem, business comes first." York withdrew his hand understandingly. "I won't keep you then."
Graham pulled me away, practically walking quickly without looking back.