Chapter 231
Chapter 231
At the studio.
When Leanna arrived at the studio, she found Louis sorting through the orders in her office while Zoe was asleep at the front desk.
When Zoe saw Leanna, she shot to her feet. "Nana, didn't I tell you to stay home for the next two days? Why are you back so soon?"
"The wound is not that serious," Leanna replied, walking over to her. "I am all healed now, and it is so boring to be cooped up at home."
"Oh, right. You said you were going to Weavside soon, right?" Zoe yawned. "When will you be going?"
"My flight is tomorrow evening," answered Leanna.
"How long will you be gone for? Will you only be back for Christmas?"
Leanna chuckled. "I would only be away for two or three days at most, so I will be back."
Zoe nodded. "That is good. I was just telling Louis that if you are not back for Christmas, we will spend Christmas with you over there. I don't want to head back home this year. That way, I don't have to listen to my parents nagging me about Anthony and marriage. Just listening to them makes me want to pull my hair out."
Leanna went silent upon hearing that. "I bumped into Daniel at the elevator on my way here. He has asked me to tell you he is very sorry about what happened that day."
Zoe waved her hand and nonchalantly said, "He has also asked Louis to pass the message. I don't care about it anymore. I will just be more careful in the future."
As they were talking, Louis came out of the office and glanced at the clock. "I have to head out for a while."
Leanna nodded. "Where are you going?"
"It is just an errand. I will be back soon."
"I see. Go on."
After Louis left the studio, Zoe whispered, "Is he dating someone? He's acting very mysterious lately."
Leanna shook her head. "No way."
Zoe sighed. "Why are those beloved by fate and destiny so high in demand yet refuse to date anyone while people like us who dream of dating someone can never find someone? Life is so unfair!"
There was silence on Leanna's end.
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After Louis arrived at the location the private detective sent to him, he waited there for ten minutes or so, yet he saw no one around.
Just as he pulled out his phone to call the private detective, a few thugs walked up to him from behind.
The thugs were bouncers who worked at the casinos Jethro used to frequent. "Well, if it isn't Jethro's stinking son," they said upon seeing him. Their words were spoken in a taunting, vulgar manner. "They say you're in university now. So, you can spare the money for education, but not pay back your dad's debts?"
He ignored them and looked away. He moved to walk away but was soon blocked when they moved to stand in his way.
"We hear Jethro sold your sister to some rich guy for quite a lot of money. She is likely worth nothing now that she has been toyed with for so long. How about..."
"How about you tell your sister to come along and have fun with us?" one of the other men continued. "You won't have to pay us back then. Well?"
The rest of the gang burst out in roars of laughter at that.
A loud bang echoed through the air. Louis had punched the man who had spoken and sent him crashing into a wall.
Seeing that, the rest of the thugs joined in the fight.
The chaotic fight soon died down. The man who Louis had punched first spat out a mouthful of blood
and glared hard at Louis. He pulled out a knife from his pockets and charged forward.
He was about to stab at Louis' waist when someone kicked his wrist, and he was sent crashing into a corner while he yelped in pain.
Louis turned around and found the men who had been standing behind him were all subdued.
A black Rolls-Royce pulled to a stop at the entrance of the alleyway and Aidan slowly stepped out of it.
Louis frowned. Why was Aidan here?
Aidan glanced at him before raising his hand in a gesture that resulted in a bespectacled man being thrown at Louis' feet by Aidan's men.
He was the private detective Louis had contacted.
"I'm sorry," said the private detective, blubbering as he remained kneeling by Louis' feet. He pushed his cracked spectacles up higher on his nose. "I'm so sorry, sir. I was an ignorant fool. I should not have lied to you over a paltry sum of money. It is all my fault. Here is the money you gave me along with whatever they paid me. I'll give you everything, just please spare me..."
He was trembling hard as he pulled out a bank card from his bag and shoved it into Louis' hands.
Louis pursed his lips and squatted to drag the private detective closer by the tie. "Are you playing me for a fool?"
"It is all my fault," pleaded the private detective. "I was blinded by the money. I am so sorry. I promise
this will not happen again."
Louis' face clouded over. "You mean to say you also lied about finding new leads on that person?"
"They told me to say that. I had no choice. Your photo was so old that the person's face was hard to see. No matter how great I am, it is still impossible for them to be found!"
"Who are they?"
"I don't know either," answered the private detective. "I was only doing my job. You know the rules of our industry. People hate it when you ask too many questions..."
Louis threw him away and stood up. There was a cold look on his face.
"Take care of him," said Aidan, raising his hand in another gesture.
"Yes, sir," said his men.
Soon, peace was returned to the alley as the private detective and the thugs were taken away.
"Do not be so hasty next time," Aidan said calmly to Louis. "Do not be like your sister and just believe whatever people say."
There was a moment of silence before Louis replied. "How did you know?"
"There is nothing money cannot do," replied Aidan.
Louis was rendered speechless.
Aidan turned back to the car. "Get in. I'll send you back."
Louis hesitated, but still followed him into the car.
On the journey back to the studio, Jonathan received a phone call. "President Pearson," he called out to Aidan when he hung up, "it is done."
Aidan hummed in acknowledgment. With his eyes shut, it was impossible to tell what exactly he was thinking.
A few minutes passed by. "Don't tell Leanna about this," said Louis.
Aidan slowly looked up when he heard that.
"She does not want Leanna to know because Leanna will worry," continued Louis.
"If you know she would be worried, why do you still act without thinking about the consequences?"
Louis frowned. "I did not expect to encounter those people."
"Do you really think you only bumped into that group of people today because of coincidence?"
Louis pursed his lips and kept quiet. Indeed, there was no way it was just a coincidence.
"Perhaps you do not even know when you attracted unwanted attention," Aidan blandly continued.
Louis was certainly confused; who bribed the private detective, and why did they do it?
His instincts told him the person who did it was the same mastermind behind the incidents at Leanna's studio and at the university gates.
"Well, do you know who 'they' are?" he asked.
"Of course." Aidan turned to look at him. "I can keep this from your sister. I can also tell you what is going on. However, you have to promise me one thing."