Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion >>
Eustace picked up the look of provocation in Max’s eyes, but his hands were tied. Faye’s involvement was unexpected, and he was equally surprised to learn that she was behind everything. As Danika had always misunderstood his relationship with Faye, she might even believe he was an accomplice.
He rubbed his temples in frustration, feeling a migraine creeping in.
On their way back to the city, Max squinted at Danika and whispered, “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” she answered. After a slight pause, she emerged from her daze and added, “Thanks.”
He shook his head, smiling. “You don’t have to thank me. I did nothing.”
“I’m glad that you came to save me. That itself speaks volumes.” She didn’t mind the fact that he hadn’t done anything to help. It was decided-she owed Max a favor.
As for Eustace… Her expression changed at the thought of him. Since Faye was his woman, her actions implicated him too.
*Should I send you back to Perry Residence?” Max could tell she was in a bad mood, but he refrained from asking questions. After all, he was happy enough to see Eustace upset. He could figure out the reason behind the grudge later.
Danika nodded without another word. She was thinking of revenge.
At the Lawrence Residence, Faye sat on her bed with a pale face. She panicked after she was exposed but soon forced herself to calm down.
So what if Dr. Zellweger found out about my involvement?” Faye thought. Danika didn’t have concrete evidence, and the phone card was not registered under anyone’s name. The ATM card which Faye used for the transfer was untraceable abroad. Even if Danika complained to Eustace, no one would believe her. Faye’s fear dissipated after she rationalized the situation. She stood up and left her room to meet with Eustace, as she could not sit back and do nothing.
In the living room, she saw someone walking in from the entrance. It was Eustace.
“Eustace, why are you here?” She smiled and went up to him, but her expression froze when she saw the grave look on his face. He scrutinized the woman with an icy glare as though she was a stranger.
He recalled the time when Anthony entrusted a young Faye to his care. Faye was around twelve years old and loved following him around and calling his name. She looked so innocent back then, but she was a totally different person now upon closer inspection.
She faltered under his gaze. Riddled with anxiety, she said, “Eustace, you…”
“Why?” he asked coldly.
“Why what?” She feigned ignorance even though she sensed that his question had something to do with Danika’s abduction. Still, she refused to believe it.
He seemed even more disappointed when Faye played innocent. “Why did you harm Dr. Zellweger?”
She knew that Danika was Dr. Zellweger after eavesdropping on the conversation between Eustace and Vincent. The color drained from her face. “Eustace, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I never left my room the entire day. Did someone gossip about me in front of you? You have to trust me! I’m not what they made me out to be,” she explained to him, confident that Danika had no evidence. She thought no one could hold her accountable as long as she adamantly denied her involvement.
Eustace was totally crushed. “You’re not what they made you out to be? Perhaps, I’ve never truly known you.”
“Eustace…” Worry seized her, and she went up to grab his wrist, but he flinched.
“When you took the call just now, I was there with Dr. Zellweger,” he muttered to Faye, whose legs turned jelly.
“He heard me…” she thought. Others might not recognize her from her voice, but Eustace could.
Her mind was buzzing. She attempted to find an excuse for herself, but the cold look in his eyes proved that he knew everything. Any explanation would be futile.
“That’s right-I did it.” A long pause later, she admitted with a bitter smile.
“Why? She saved you.” Eustace gave her a stern look, which was different from his usual gentleness.
She smiled bitterly and looked at him. “Why? What do you think?” She raised her voice and growled, “Eustace, don’t you know my feelings after all these years?”
He frowned with displeasure. “I recall telling you early on that you’re only a little sister to me-nothing more than that.”
He thought she had understood his stance because she hadn’t brought up the topic after that. Who would have known?
“True. You have rejected me from the start.” She nodded, the smile disappearing from her face. “But I love you. How can I possibly give up on you?”
“And that’s why you attacked Dr. Zellweger?” He frowned again. “You should’ve come for me instead. What does she have to do with our relationship?”
She wiped away a rogue tear that almost slid down her cheek. “Eustace, I know you too well. Even though you’re reluctant to admit it, I could tell that Dr. Zellweger is special to you from the way you treat her. But I cannot accept it! You’ve only known her for a short time. So what if you were once married to each other? If you were destined to be with each other, you wouldn’t have divorced. If so, why would fate lead you to meet her again?”
She was at her wits’ end. It felt like the gods were playing with the fates of mortals.
His face darkened. Staring intently at her, he asked, “How do you know she’s my ex-wife? Since when?”
“I went to the office to meet you some time ago. And I overheard your conversation with Vincent,” she replied. Exhausted, she staggered to the sofa and took a seat. “So, Eustace, how do you plan to deal with me? Will you hand me over to Dr. Zellweger or the police? Don’t worry. I’ll always remember how well you treated me. I won’t blame you no matter what choice you make.”
“Dr. Zellweger is the only one to blame for showing up in front of him again after their divorce,” Faye thought. Eustace had been mulling the same question the entire ride to Faye’s place. He owed his life to Anthony. His dying wish was for Eustace to take care of Faye, and Eustace promised to do so. Still…
He also knew that Danika would not let this slip.
While he was deep in thought, Faye looked calm, as though she was mentally prepared for the worst- case scenario.
A long deliberation later, he suggested, “Pack your stuff and take a flight abroad tonight. I’ve arranged to enroll you in a school there. And don’t come home without my permission.”
She felt conflicted by his answer. In the end, Eustace took Anthony’s kindness into consideration and decided to spare his younger sister. On the other hand, Faye knew she might never have the chance to come home after being sent overseas, which would be torture for her.
“What if I refuse?” she asked tentatively, trying one last time to stay. However, his expression fell. “I won’t stop you from ruining yourself if that’s what you want.” He did everything in his ability to save her. He would have no choice if she refused to listen, and he was sure that the late Anthony would not have blamed him in that case.
“Okay. I’ll go.” She knew very well that she could only make a comeback if she chose self-preservation for now.
She also secretly vowed to come back for Danika one day.
Around 8 pm, Danika woke up from a good nap and felt refreshed. She had a cold look in her eyes when she recalled the incident from earlier.
Later, she made a call. “Gilbert, are you interested in acquiring Lawrence Solutions?”
The call with Gilbert lasted for an hour, during which the fate of the Lawrences was discussed and sealed. After Gilbert told Danika that he’d be back in town the next morning, Danika wrapped up the conversation with satisfaction.
“The Lawrences…” she mumbled and added, “How should I deal with Faye now that I’ve gotten rid of them?”
She gave it some thought and said to herself, “Never mind. I’ll leave it to the police. I guess spending the rest of her life behind bars is not too bad of an idea.”
At that moment, her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing doorbell. Dressed in pajamas, she went to open the door, but her expression soured when she found Eustace standing in front of her.
She wanted to shut the door in his face, but he was faster, putting himself between her and the closing door. Then, he marched into her place.
“Eustace Quincey, trespassing is a crime,” she reminded him through gritted teeth, badly wanting to throw him out. To her dismay, he did not look threatened and instead calmly said, “Call the police then.”
She took a deep breath as she battled the raw and uncontrollable urge to beat him up.
“Believe it or not, I didn’t know about the abduction,” he explained, staring into her eyes sincerely.
She held back her anger, sitting on the sofa and leaning to her side. “Oh, I believe you. You have no good reason to want me abducted anyway.”