Chapter 576
A familiar scent drifted faintly through the air, wrapping around Hannah just like what had happened in the past.
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She looked up, dazed. The moment her eyes landed on the same face from eight years ago, the tears she’d been holding back broke free.
“Do….” She opened her mouth to speak, but her voice came out horse and broken.
When Dominic saw her tear–streaked face, he pressed his lips into tight line. He reached out and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumb.
Then he pulled her into his arms and gently comforted her. “It’s over. You’re safe.”
Hannah just sat there, stunned. It felt like her soul had been knocked out of her body.
Seeing that, Anathea stepped forward and gently took Chloe from Hannah’s arms. She brushed a hand over the little girl’s cheek and said to Hannah, “Don’t worry. She’s alright.”
At that moment, the tension Hannah had been holding onto finally snapped, like a thread pulled too tight for too long. She collapsed against Dominic’s chest and sobbed loudly.
Dominic said nothing. He just held her tighter, offering what little comfort he could give.
In Anathea’s arms, Chloe stirred and slowly opened her eyes. When she saw Hannah and Dominic holding each other, she asked in confusion, “Daddy? Mommy? Why-”
“They probably have a lot to talk about. How about we let them be for a while?” Anathea asked with a smile. “Come on, let me take you to get something delicious.”
Chloe’s eyes lit up at once. She nodded right away. “Okay!”
Anathea carried her off the rooftop. Down below, the police had set up a perimeter. Leon’s body still lay in a pool of blood.
The wail of police and ambulance sirens filled the air.
“What happened over there?” Chloe asked.
“Nothing you need to worry about.” Anathea turned slightly, blocking Chloe’s view with her body. “Come on, let’s go.”
The rain washed the blood away fast. Within minutes, there were no traces left, as if nothing had happened at all.
Anathea called her driver, Malcolm Bender, to pick her up.
When the car pulled up and she saw who was behind the wheel, her eyes narrowed in surprise. “Why are you here?”
“Malcolm took the day off. I’m covering his shift.” Thomas got out and opened the car door for her. “Hop in, Ms. Jacobson. It’s pouring.”
Anathea helped Chloe into the car first before sliding in herself.
“Where to, Ms. Jacobson?”
She was about to say “home“, but then glanced down at Chloe and asked, “Chloe, are you hungry? Want to go eat something?”
“I want a buffet!” Chloe beamed.
“Alright.” Anathea ruffled her hair, then told Thomas, “Take us to Aetherbrook Hotel.”
The buffet at Aetherbrook Hotel was the most renowned in the city and also notoriously hard to book. Only customers who spent over ten million dollars annually had priority reservation privileges.
Anathea planned to book it under Dominic’s name.
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Chapter 576
“Reservation done,” Thomas said, putting his phone down.
Shocked, Anathea looked at him.
“Is something wrong, Ms. Jacobson?” Thomas asked, puzzled.
“Nothing.” She shook her head, then reminded him, “The roads are slippery. Take it slow.”
“Of course.” As Thomas glanced at the rearview mirror, his lips curled into a faint smile.
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When they arrived at the hotel, Thomas was the first to hop out. He led the way, pulled out chairs, and poured drinks. He was practically doing the waiter’s job.
Anathea raised an eyebrow. “Did you use to work here? You’re too good at this.”
“This is part of being a good assistant,” Thomas replied with a smile. “I figured if I show some initiative, maybe you’ll give me a full–time offer.”
“With that kind of hustle, you’re going to give the rest of the team anxiety.” Anathea didn’t answer him directly. Instead, she replied with a playful remark, “But since you’ve done so much for me, consider this meal my treat.”
“Thank you, Ms. Jacobson.” His smile deepened
He peeled shrimp for her, cracked open crabs with practiced ease, and gently placed the delicate white crab meat onto her plate like it was nothing.
“You’re really good at this,” Anathea was surprised. “Do you eat a lot of crab?”
Thomas nodded. “I grew up in a fishing village. Crab was on the table nearly every day. Honestly, I got sick of it.”
He added a splash of vinegar to the crab meat. “This makes it better, Ms. Jacobson. Try it.”
Anathea took a bite and nodded. “It’s delicious.”
Chapter 577
