Chapter43
Before hanging up, they agreed to meet at a restaurant.
Katherine sighed, looking helplessly at Jacob. “Let’s go.”
Two figures–one tall, one small–walked out of the airport.
The White Family’s driver had been waiting outside with the car.
Once inside, they headed downtown.
Jacob kept his eyes glued to the window, asking about everything he saw.
Katherine patiently answered each question: “That’s Karaville Central Plaza, owned by the Sutton Family. That shop- ping street originally belonged to the Ramirez Family, but Geoffrey acquired it later. Surprisingly, it’s thriving now…”
Mid–sentence, she caught herself: “Silly me, why am I telling a child this? You wouldn’t understand.”
She pointed sweetly at a building: “See that? It’s full of toy stores.”
To her surprise, Jacob turned with utter seriousness:
“Aunt Katherine, I’ll be four this September. I’m not a three–year–old kid anymore.”
Katherine choked.
Lost for words again.
The car rolled along, soon arriving at the restaurant entrance.
Meanwhile, at Sutton Group…
Geoffrey exited the building, Andrea following closely as they entered a black Cadillac.
En route, Geoffrey absentmindedly flipped through contracts.
Andrea sat beside him: “Geoffrey, take a break.”
“No need.”
His reply was ice.
Andrea sat in silence.
For four years, he’d shown neither dislike nor affection.
She couldn’t fathom his thoughts–could men truly live like a monk?
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Didn’t he want anything?
Today, she must find a way to get the better of Geoffrey!
His phone vibrated. Geoffrey picked it up and saw it was the bodyguard assigned to watch Maureen.
“Mr. Sutton, Ms. Ramirez has gone out and is now at the Golden Moon Diner.”
Geoffrey typed, “Got it.”
Andrea saw he finally stopped working and couldn’t help asking, “Did Auntie message to hurry us?”
Geoffrey’s thin lips parted impatiently, “No.”
Andrea wanted to ask what it was, but before speaking, noticed Geoffrey’s gaze fixed outside the window.
The car passed Golden Moon Diner’s entrance.
Outside the glittering building, two figures–one tall, one small–stepped out of a Bentley.
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Geoffrey’s eyes locked on the little boy. The child wore a hat and mask, hiding his face, yet felt strangely familiar.
Watching them enter the diner.
Geoffrey told the driver, “Pull over.”
Andrea looked puzzled, “What’s wrong?”
Geoffrey didn’t answer, pushed the car door open, and strode straight out.
Golden Moon Diner.
Katherine had just stepped out with Jacob when she felt urgent need for a restroom, so she called Maureen to come down.
Maureen had barely exited when she saw Geoffrey in his crisp suit walking directly toward her.
Maureen’s palms turned clammy instantly. She instinctively tried to look away and flee.
But Geoffrey spoke first, “What a coincidence.”
Maureen couldn’t escape. She prayed Katherine and Jacob wouldn’t show up now.
“Mr. Sutton, here to dine too?”
She replied casually, “I have something else to attend to, so I won’t disturb you anymore.”
But just as she was about to leave, Katherine’s voice rang out: “Reenie.”
Maureen’s heart jolted.
Since Geoffrey had his back to the staircase, Katherine and Jacob only saw Maureen when they came upstairs, not Geoffrey’s face.
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That’s why Katherine greeted her.
Geoffrey turned toward Katherine and Jacob at the sound.
Though Jacob wore a mask, his obsidian–black eyes gave Geoffrey an odd sense of familiarity.
The surroundings suddenly fell silent.
Katherine’s heart turned cold.
Maureen held her breath, terrified her son might call out to her, yet Jacob unexpectedly ran toward her.
“Hello, Aunt Maureen.”
After speaking, he tugged Katherine’s hand.
“Mommy, I’m starving! Let’s eat with Auntie now.”
Katherine snapped back to attention: “Uh, okay, we’ll go eat right away.”
“Come on, Reenie.”
She took Jacob’s hand and nudged Maureen forward.
“Mr. Sutton, I’m having dinner with my best friend, so I’ll cut this chat short.”
With that, Maureen quickly ushered them into the room.
After closing the door, the tension in Maureen’s mind finally eased slightly.
Geoffrey didn’t dwell on the child any further.
He paid for Maureen and the others before leaving the restaurant downstairs.
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After confirming Geoffrey had left, Katherine immediately threw her arms around Maureen in a big hug: “Reenie, I’m so sorry! This was all my fault. I never expected Geoffrey to show up.”
Maureen gently patted her shoulder: “It’s alright. I didn’t know he’d suddenly walk into the restaurant either.”
“Thank goodness Jacob reacted quickly, or who knows what could’ve happened.”
Katherine shuddered remembering the look in Geoffrey’s eyes.
Nearby, Jacob softly comforted both women:
“Mommy, Aunt Katherine, don’t worry. I know Mom needs to appear single around outsiders so she can find a daddy for me and my brother,”
Maureen pulled him into her arms, voice choked with emotion: “Sweetheart, you shouldn’t have to bear this!”
My darling, I’m sorry. It’s not that Mommy won’t tell you the truth, but that I can’t risk losing you both!
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Jacob’s face flushed instantly: “Mommy, don’t cry!”