Chapter 266 We Can't Let Him Get Away!

Alexander's POV

The humidity hit us as we stepped off the private jet in Phuket. Katherine's hair immediately began to curl at the edges, and Ryan was already tapping something into his tablet, seemingly unfazed by the oppressive heat.

"The car's waiting," I announced, guiding them toward a black SUV where one of my local contacts stood at attention.

The drive to Scott's hotel was tense but determined. Katherine sat beside me in the back seat, her shoulders rigid with purpose.

Ryan occupied the front passenger seat, his fingers flying across multiple devices as he coordinated with his Wise Technologies team.

"We've got him," Ryan said suddenly, holding up his tablet. "He's been staying at the Golden Palm Resort for the past three weeks. Registered under his own name—guess he didn't think we'd track him here."

Gently, I reached out and stroked her hair, my fingers combing through the strands in a tender gesture. Then, I took her hand in mine and gave it a firm squeeze.

"We'll get answers," I said, my voice filled with determination, hoping to offer her some semblance of comfort and reassurance.

When we arrived at the Golden Palm—a modest establishment that had seen better days—I immediately noticed something was off. The lobby was nearly empty, with only a bored-looking clerk behind the reception desk.

"We're looking for Scott Brown," I said, sliding a generous amount of cash across the counter. "Which room?"

The clerk's eyes widened at the money. "Room 305, but he's gone, sir."

My heart sank. "Gone? When?"

"Left in big hurry two hours ago," he replied, pocketing the cash. "Not even ask for deposit back."

Ryan muttered something under his breath, already typing furiously on his phone. Katherine's face remained composed, but I could see the disappointment in her eyes.

We convinced the hotel manager to let us into Scott's abandoned room. The place was a mess—empty bottles littered the floor, clothes were strewn across unmade beds, and casino chips were scattered across the dresser.

"He left in a rush," Katherine observed, carefully picking through the items. "But why? How did he know we were coming?"

The hotel manager, a short man with a nervous demeanor, hovered in the doorway. "Very strange, sir. Mr. Brown always very... how you say... stingy? Never tip staff, complain about everything. But today, leave without asking for deposit. Very unusual."

"What else did he do while staying here?" I asked, picking up a discarded casino receipt.

"Only gambling and women, sir," the manager replied with a disapproving frown. "All day at casino, all night with different ladies. Never left resort except to gamble."

Ryan approached us, his expression grim. "I've already instructed my team to lock down the island. We're checking all outgoing flights, boats, and land routes. He can't have gotten far."

I nodded, pulling out my phone to mobilize my own contacts. "I want every inch of this island searched. Find me Scott Brown—now."

For the next several hours, we coordinated search efforts from the hotel's dingy restaurant. As night fell, and reports continued to come in with no sign of Scott, fatigue began to set in.

"It's getting late," I finally said, noticing Katherine trying to hide a yawn. "We should rest and continue tomorrow. Our people will keep searching overnight."

"I can't believe we lost him," Katherine sighed, rubbing her temples.

I assured her. "He can't hide forever."

Given the limited accommodations available at short notice, we decided to stay at the same hotel. The only rooms they had available were a small single and a larger family room with two beds.

"Katherine, you and Ryan take the larger room," I insisted. "I'll take the single."

Katherine looked like she wanted to protest, but Ryan was already collecting their bags. "Thanks, Dad," he said.

My small room was exactly what I'd expected—basic, worn, and with windows that didn't quite close properly. The moment I entered, mosquitoes began their high-pitched assault.

I spent the first hour swatting at them unsuccessfully before giving up and laying on the bed, staring at the ceiling fan that wobbled ominously above me.

Next door, I could hear faint voices—Katherine and Ryan talking. The walls were paper-thin, and though I couldn't make out their words, the sound of their voices was comforting in this strange place.

Sleep eluded me completely. Between the heat, the mosquitoes, and my mind racing with thoughts of Scott, I was wide awake when Katherine's voice came through the wall.

"Alexander, if you're still up, come over here. The bed's big enough."

I was at their door in seconds, probably looking far too eager given the circumstances. Katherine opened it with a smile, dressed in a simple cotton nightgown.

Behind her, Ryan sat cross-legged on one of the beds, a bottle of mosquito repellent in his hand.

"Mom's getting eaten alive by mosquitoes," he explained, gesturing to the red bumps on Katherine's arms. "And I bet you are too."

I nodded, stepping into their room which was blessedly cooler than mine. "The windows in my room might as well not exist," I admitted.

"You can stay here," Katherine said, her voice soft. "The bed's big enough for all three of us."

Ryan sprayed the repellent generously around the room before settling into the middle of the large bed. I hesitated for a moment, unsure of the protocol for this unexpected family sleepover.

"Ryan, you okay sleeping in the middle?" I asked, trying to be considerate of his feelings.

To my surprise, he nodded without objection. "Sure."

I climbed into bed beside my son, feeling oddly nervous. Katherine took the other side, and for a moment, we all lay there in awkward silence.

Then, driven by an impulse I couldn't suppress, I stretched my arm across, encompassing both Ryan and Katherine in a loose embrace.

"Wife, son, goodnight," I said softly.

Katherine smiled at me over Ryan's head, and Ryan, after a moment's hesitation, relaxed into the embrace.

Despite the uncomfortable bed, the heat, and the mission that had brought us here, I felt a contentment that seemed almost out of place.

Ryan fell asleep first, his breathing becoming deep and even.

"He's accepting you," Katherine whispered, careful not to wake our son.

"I know," I replied, equally quiet. "I feel like I'm the happiest man in the whole world."

"He told me earlier that he was worried he'd been too hard on you," she confided. "He's starting to see the real you."

I smiled in the darkness, watching Ryan's peaceful face. "I'll never let either of you down again. I promise."

Just as I was finally drifting off to sleep, my phone vibrated with an incoming call. Carefully extracting myself to avoid waking my family, I stepped into the bathroom to answer.

"Mr. Hudson, we've found him," my contact's voice came through urgently. "Scott was spotted at a private dock on the eastern shore. He's trying to charter a speedboat."

Adrenaline flooded my system. "Don't lose him. I'm on my way."

I returned to the bedroom and gently woke Katherine and Ryan. "They've found Scott. We need to go now."

Ryan, still drowsy, rubbed his eyes and said, "Okay, Dad." Then he quickly got out of bed, trying to shake off the sleepiness.

Katherine, too, was already getting dressed, her face determined. In no time, we were all ready and dashed out of the room, hurrying straight to the car.

As our driver sped through the night, I couldn't help pressing him. "Faster! We can't let him get away!"

My contact's voice crackled through my phone. "Don't worry, Mr. Hudson. We've got eyes on him."

"Keep it that way," I ordered, gripping Katherine's hand tightly.