Chapter 90
Nicole's POV
A chill crept up from the soles of my feet.
Matthew was missing!
"Nicole?" Derek's voice came through the phone. "Are you still there? Is that document important?"
My hand trembled slightly as I gripped the phone. It took me a while to snap back to reality.
I found my voice. "Very important, Derek. If you find Matthew, could you have him contact me immediately?"
"Sure, I'll keep an eye out."
Derek paused. "It is unusual for Matthew to disappear like this. He's always been very responsible."
After hanging up, alarm bells were ringing in my head.
If Derek could find Matthew, that would be ideal. But what if he couldn't? What if Hodgson had discovered Matthew...
Hodgson had been so strange last night. Could it have been because of Matthew?
I didn't dare continue that train of thought, yet I couldn't stop these terrible speculations.
Over the next two days, I deliberately acted upset about Hodgson not letting me return to Gardella, giving him the cold shoulder.
But while playing angry, I was also testing whether he had discovered anything about Matthew.
I deliberately mentioned Derek in front of him, saying I needed to contact his assistant for work matters, watching Hodgson's reaction when he heard the word "assistant."
I also hinted that he might be hiding something from me, using my tantrum as an excuse to probe.
But Hodgson's attitude was too normal. He worked when he should work, showed affection when he should show affection.
No matter how I tested him, his expression remained calm. I couldn't extract any information about Matthew from him.
This calmness only intensified my unease.
If Matthew was imprisoned, the most likely place would be the secret basement beneath Hodgson's apartment.
For Matthew's sake, I had to check if he was there.
But since that day, Hodgson's surveillance of me had noticeably tightened.
This suffocating possessiveness left me breathless.
I realized that if I appeared too eager, too desperate to find Matthew, he would definitely become suspicious.
So I changed my strategy.
On the third morning, I proactively snuggled into Hodgson's embrace, my voice softening. "I'm sorry for being difficult these past couple of days."
He was reviewing documents and raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Finally come to your senses?"
I lowered my head, drawing circles on his chest with my finger. "I've been thinking, and you're right. Vera is here, so I won't go anywhere. As for what's happening in Gardella... I'll let someone else investigate. I won't go."
I looked up, wearing a docile smile. "I'll stay by your side."
Hodgson looked at me deeply, reaching out to grip my chin. "Really?"
"Really." I stood on tiptoe and kissed the corner of his lips.
My submissiveness worked. Hodgson's attitude visibly softened, and he stopped watching me as closely as before.
That afternoon, while Hodgson was in his study on a video conference, I sneaked down to the apartment's basement level.
Standing once again in that cold corridor, my heart pounded violently.
The memories I'd desperately tried to forget came flooding back like a tide. I seemed to smell again that nauseating metallic scent of blood, hearing Carlos's dying screams in my ears.
I took a deep breath and was about to push open that door when a hand suddenly pressed down on me from behind.
"Nicole, what are you doing?"
Hodgson had appeared behind me somehow. His voice was calm, yet it sent me plummeting into an icy abyss.
My legs went weak, and I instinctively stepped back. "I, I was just walking around."
"Just walking around? And you walked here?" Hodgson's figure loomed over me, his overwhelming presence suffocating.
"I..."
"Nicole, aren't you most afraid of this place?" His hand moved to my face, his thumb gently stroking my cheek.
I felt my breathing quicken, my body trembling uncontrollably.
He leaned closer, deliberately lowering his voice. "Or are you looking for something?"
"No, I'm not looking for anything!" I shook my head repeatedly.
"Then let's go back." He grabbed my wrist and pulled me away. "It would be terrible if this place triggered some bad memories for you, wouldn't it?"
Hodgson led me away from the basement, the anxiety in my heart nearly driving me mad.
Back in the room, I closed my eyes in despair.
Just when I was at my wit's end, my phone suddenly rang.
When I saw the caller ID, it was Shier.
We hadn't been in contact since our last meeting.
I glanced toward the bedroom, confirming Hodgson was still in the bathroom, then walked to the balcony to answer.
"What is it?"
"Nicole, remember what you promised my mother?" Shier's voice carried a hint of smugness.
He reminded me.
I'd almost forgotten that I'd promised Lola I would be her spy.
"I remember."
"Good. Now I need you to complete your first task. Tomorrow night at seven, you need to get Hodgson to a restaurant in the city center."
He gave me the restaurant's name and address.
I frowned. "What are you planning?"
"You don't need to know that." Shier said. "You just need to figure out how to get him there."
The call ended.
I stood dazed on the balcony, the evening breeze tousling my hair.
Shier wanted me to lure Hodgson to that restaurant. They must have some purpose.
But Hodgson was so powerful, with Eric protecting him. What could possibly happen at a restaurant?
More importantly, my mind was full of Matthew. I had to determine if he was being held on that basement level.
And this might be the perfect opportunity.
"What are you thinking about?"
Hodgson's voice came from behind me. I jumped, nearly dropping my phone.
He'd just showered, his hair still dripping, wearing only a towel.
Water droplets slid down his firm chest muscles, glistening enticingly in the light.
"Who just called you?" He walked over and encircled me in his arms.
I thought for a moment and decided to lie. "A work call. There's a document I need to handle tomorrow."
His gaze swept over my face, as if judging whether I was lying.
I proactively wrapped my arms around his waist, burying my face in his chest. "Hodgson, after I finish work tomorrow, let's have dinner together, okay? I know a restaurant that's supposed to be quite good."
"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow. "Where do you want to go?"
I told him the name of the restaurant Shier had mentioned.
If I could lure Hodgson to the restaurant, I could return and search the basement level for Matthew.
As for Shier's plan, I didn't think he could cause any real harm to Hodgson.
Hodgson was so cautious. For Shier and Lola to scheme against him would be impossible.
This was my only chance.
"Alright." Hodgson lowered his head and kissed my forehead. "I actually have something to handle tomorrow too. After I'm done, we'll go eat."
I breathed a sigh of relief, yet couldn't help worrying.
I hoped tomorrow night wouldn't bring any surprises.