Although Gunner was displeased with Lance's constant entanglements, he still had someone deliver emergency medicine when Lance left.
"Mr. Mercer, the master said this medicine can suppress your old ailment for two days. After two days, whether you've handled your affairs or not, you must return," Jagger said, handing over the bottle of medicine.
In truth, he withheld part of the message. Gunner's exact words were that if Lance couldn't handle his entanglement in two days, he shouldn't bother coming back. But Jagger knew those were just words spoken in anger. Given that Lance was the fiance of the young lady, the master would never allow anything to happen to him.
Lance, unaware of Jagger's inner turmoil, took the bottle expressionlessly and said, "Thank Mr. Martinez for me." He then signaled Xavier to take him to the helicopter.
That night, Lance set off for Cloudmere. Jagger watched the helicopter disappear before returning to report.
He approached Gunner and respectfully said, "Master, Mr. Mercer has left."
Gunner nodded and gave orders to return.
Meanwhile, at the Martinez family estate, Logan, Samantha, and Old Ashley waited in the courtyard. They wanted to be the first to know about Deanna's situation when Lance returned. However, as midnight approached and neither Lance nor Gunner had returned, they grew increasingly restless.
Just as they were considering sending someone to search, a servant informed them that Gunner had returned. Upon hearing this, they hurried to the outer courtyard.
Seeing them, Gunner was not surprised. Logan and Samantha, however, were anxious and asked urgently, "Mr. Martinez, why are you alone? Where are Lance and Deanna?"
"Please sit down. The situation is complicated; let me explain," Gunner said, pointing to some chairs.
The group exchanged worried glances but restrained their urge to ask more questions and sat down to listen.
Gunner didn't keep them waiting long. After organizing his thoughts, he said, "We have captured Duncan and Brent, but Deanna is not with them."
"How could she not be with them?" Samantha asked anxiously.
Gunner continued, unbothered by the interruption, "According to their confession, Deanna was taken by another group on the same day they kidnapped her. Lance recognized the group from surveillance footage and is now on his way back to Cloudmere."
Hearing this, everyone had different reactions. Old Ashley frowned in worry. "If Lance has gone back, what about his treatment? Wasn't it said that once treatment starts, it can't be interrupted?"
Samantha and Logan also looked at Gunner nervously. They only had one son and didn't want anything to happen to him.
Gunner remained calm. "I anticipated he wouldn't stay put for treatment, so I prepared two days' worth of suppressive medication for him. I'll handle things here and then we'll head back to Cloudmere."
"That's a relief," Old Ashley and Logan said with a sigh of relief.
Seeing their tired faces, Gunner advised, "It's late. You should rest and regain your strength so you can help Lance when we get back to Cloudmere."
"Mr. Martinez is right; let's go back," Lionel agreed.
Though disappointed that Deanna hadn't been rescued, Old Ashley and Samantha obediently returned to their rooms. Logan lingered behind.
Gunner noticed and asked, "Mr. Mercer, do you have something to say?"
"Who took Deanna?" Logan asked directly.
Gunner raised an eyebrow. "Did I forget to mention that?"
Logan remained silent but stared at Gunner expectantly.
After a few seconds of eye contact, Gunner chuckled coldly. "Since you want to know, I'll tell you. It was your son's good partner."
"Eula?" Logan guessed immediately but frowned in confusion. "Why?"
Gunner seemed annoyed by the simple question. "Why else? Because she likes your son. This isn't the first time our Deanna has suffered because of your son's entanglements. I'm beginning to doubt if it's right for Deanna and your son to be together."
Logan frowned deeply but remained calm. "Your disapproval won't stop them from being together. I believe Lance will ensure this never happens again."
"Is that so?" Gunner was skeptical.
Logan didn't argue further and left after a nod.
Watching him leave, Gunner's eyes flickered with unreadable thoughts.
Logan returned to his room shortly after.
Samantha approached him immediately. "What did you talk about with Mr. Martinez?"
"Nothing much. I just asked who took Deanna," Logan replied.