Everything went far more smoothly than Anathea had expected.
The bodyguards at the entrance had all beent withdrawn. Even Lou wasn’t around.
Anathea picked up her things and left the ward. A rush of freedom urged toward her.
A nurse waiting outside immediately stepped forward. “Ms. Jacobson, I’m here on Mr. Harrington’s orders to escort you to the car.”
Anathea glanced at the nurse, nodded slightly, and followed her. “Please lead the way.”
“Of course,” the nurse replied gently. “Please come with me.”
The nurse walked while scanning her surroundings. As she reached the elevator to the underground parking lot, she stopped and slipped a hand into her pocket. A cold gleam of a blade flashed.
She glanced at Anathea behind her and smiled. “Ms. Jacobson, please step into the elevator.”
On the outskirts of Castenea, an abandoned fishing boat sat silent and weathered.
“Break the door down!” Theo raised his hand.
The bodyguards immediately kicked open the locked door and cautiously entered to investigate. A thick, pungent smell of fish filled the air.
“Ugh!” Theo covered his nose. “This stinks so bad.”
Adrian took a quick look inside before turning to Theo with a puzzled look. “Are you sure your intel is right? Is Michael really hiding here?”
A flicker of unease passed Theo’s eyes, but he stuck to his confident tone. “Of course! Do you doubt the Harrington family’s investigative skills?”
“Never.” Adrian chuckled. “You’ve worked hard lately. Once we catch Michael, I’ll book you the VIP room in Drunk Elysium.” Theo said nothing, feeling guilty.
The bodyguards who entered the boat returned swiftly and reported to Gregory, “We didn’t find anything.”
“What?” Theo asked first. “Are you sure you checked every corner? Any hidden rooms or secret hiding spots?”
One of the bodyguards shook his head. “We searched the entire boat thoroughly. No signs of any secret compartments. There’s simply no trace of Michael here.”
“That’s strange. How could our intel be wrong?” Theo frowned. “Maybe Michael’s just too clever. He must have found out we were coming and slipped away beforehand.”
Gregory’s expression remained calm and unreadable.
Theo glanced at his watch and suggested, “How about we check somewhere else? Maybe he’s somewhere ahead of us.”
“Further on, and we’d be leaving Castenea entirely,” Adrian said with a resigned smile. “Looks like your tip was wrong, Theo.”
Theo shrugged. “No one can guarantee 100% accuracy. Or maybe we wait here a while. If new intel c move right away.”
in, we can make a
“How long do you suggest we wait?” Gregory asked.
“Well…” Theo turned his head away, avoiding Gregory’s gaze. “Maybe an hour or two.”
1/2
Chapter 464
+25 BONUS
“An hour or two?” Adrian couldn’t take it anymore. He dropped the hand covering his mouth and nose and asked, “Theo, are you seriously treating us like fools just to buy time?”
Theo was momentarily stunned. He retorted stiffly, “What do you mean? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Cut it out,” Adrian said bluntly. “You think Greg and I won’t see through your little scheme?”
He gestured toward the interior of the boat. “If Michael had really been here, how would the dust be this thick? And there’s not a single footprint on the floor.”
That meant Michael never even came here.
“Plus, you purposely gave a location so far from Castenea’s city center and brought us here. What else could it be besides a distraction and a way to buy time?
Adrian fixed his eyes on Theo and asked, “Who exactly are you trying to buy time for?”
Theo swallowed hard. His hand clenched at his side.
But when Gregory’s sharp gaze met his, he gave in. “Yes, I lured you here to buy time so Anathea could get away.”
