“Congratulations,” Adrian said, going over to Gregory. “You’re finally getting the position you’ve been chasing after. It must feel good.”
“Not really.” Gregory’s voice was flat.
To him, the position as head of the family was just one of many goals on his list. It was nothing he was desperate for or ever longed for.
The only thing he’d ever truly longed for was a person.
“By the way, this shrine is supposed to be quite spiritual. People say any wish made here has a good chance of coming true. Since you’re here, why not give it a try?” Dominic suggested.
“I’ll pass,” Adrian refused. “Gregory and I are both staunch materialists.”
But before the words were fully out of his mouth, Gregory had already turned and started walking toward the divine statue.
Inside, the soft glow of countless candles filled the space.
The divine statue, with its calm and compassionate expression, seemned to quietly watch over the shrine, bathed in the gentle candlelight.
Gregory sat down on a bench, holding the candle in both hands. With a sincere and solemn expression, he quietly voiced his heartfelt wish to the deity.
“With deep sincerity, I make three wishes. First, may my wife be blessed with health and happiness throughout her life. Second, may she be protected from harm and be free from worry. And third may we always be together.”
After that, the man, who’d firmly embraced materialism and was ruthless and decisive in the business world, approached the altar and sincerely placed the candle before the divine statue.
Adrian watched Gregory’s tall, steady figure with a content smile.
Dominic turned to him. “Not tempted to make a wish yourself, Mr. Miller?”
“No.” Adrian smiled. “Most of the things I’ve wished for have already come true. I don’t have any wish now.”
Meanwhile, Gregory wasn’t done. After his prayer, he picked up a wooden plaque, wrote carefully on it, and hung it on the
ancient tree outside the shrine.
As he finished, Anathea’s face came to mind. He couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corners of his lips.
He wanted to go back right now to be with her. Even if she slammed the door in his face, he would sit outside with a chair just to see her one more time.
He knew she valued her freedom. Once he finished dealing with the Sinclair family and made sure no one could ever threaten her again, he would take her away to wherever she wanted to go.
But just then, his phone rang. It was Howard.
I’m sorry, Mr. Sinclair. We messed up. Mrs. Sinclair got away,” came the anxious voice over the line.
Gregory’s grip on the phone tightened. He pulled up an application immediately and narrowed his eyes.
Just as he expected, the red dot was moving toward Castenea Central Hospital.
“What’s wrong?” Adrian asked, noticing the shift in Gregory’s expression.
“We’re going back to Castenea.” Gregory’s voice was cold and sharp. “Right now!”
12
Chapter 387
+25 BONUS
Meanwhile, in Castenea, Hannah was at the wheel. Chloe sat in the backseat next to Anathea, who was in a janitor’s uniform.
“We finally shook those leeches off.” Hannah smirked when she recalled the look on their faces. “Your plan was brilliant, Thea. When they saw it was me, their eyes practically popped out. Honestly, it was hilarious.”
Anathea said nothing. She clasped her hands tightly, her eyes fixed on the approaching destination. She was eager to reach the hospital and see Adam.
She didn’t know why, but even though Giselle said Adam was fine, she couldn’t shake the sense of unease gripping her.
“Mommy, there are two black cars behind us,” Chloe suddenly said, glancing out the rear window. “They look exactly the same!
Black cars?
Anathea froze.
The memory of the last car accident suddenly flashed through her mind.
Her fingers tightened instinctively. That familiar, unsettling buzzing sound echoed faintly in her ears once again.
