Chapter 17
Eugene found his friend celebrating at a booth. “Why are you here all by yourself? Didn’t Edward come with you? You two are usually glued at the hip,” the friend asked.
“What are you talking about? Edgar is a person, not a belt I can just strap on,” Eugene shot back while pulling out his phone. Tve already sent the gift money. I can’t just hang out with you guys. I’ve got stuff to handle.
“What kind of stuff? You’re already here, just kick back for a bit before you leave.”
“I really can’t. I’ve got a kid waiting outside. I’ll make it up to you next year.”
“A kid! Did you have a kid already?”
“Get lost! But hey, could you grab me a slice of cake! I want to take it to the kid. Easy on the cream, okay?”
“Forget about cutting it–just take the whole cake. I’ll buy another one, no sweat.
Eugene carefully took the entire cake and walked out. He wasn’t sure who sent it, but it was adorable and beautifully made. He figured Jesse would definitely love it
Once outside the bar, he crossed the street and got to the car. He freed up a hand to open the back seat and slid the cake in “Ta–da! What do you think, Jesse? Do you like it?”
Eugene then leaned in with a playful grin, but his heart sank instantly when he saw the back seat was empty. He quickly checked the front seat–still nothing. He jumped out of the car, looking around frantically.
“Jesse? Jesse!” His face went pale as the cake slipped from his hand and hit the ground. He looked around desperately and grabbed the bouncer at the bar entrance, asking.
On a busy commercial street, the towering Lewis Group skyscraper stood majestically.
In the top–floor meeting room, Samuel sat at the head of the table, looking authoritative in his sharp suit as he listened to the team summarize last quarter’s performance.
His discomfort made his normally stoic face even tenser, and hi tired, bloodshot eyes were glued to the report in his hand.
Throughout the meeting, he barely looked at his team and spoke very little. The staff sat stiffly, barely daring to breathe, scared to make even the slightest mistake.
Suddenly, the phone on the table vibrated, the sound cutting through the serious atmosphere. Everyone’s eyes instinctively went to the buzzing phone before quickly looking away
The phone continued to buzz, and Samuel glanced at the incoming call and casually hung up. Seconds later, it buzzed again. He frowned slightly and answered the call, pausing the meeting
“S–Samuel, Jesse is missing.” Eugene’s voice trembled on the line almost breaking into tears.
Lillian was strolling down the street, gently rubbing General’s soft belly. The pup had just come back from the pet shop, all clean and fluffy.
She was completely oblivious to the small figure behind her, struggling to keep up in the bustling crowd, nearly getting lost among the throngs of people.
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Jesse was nearly jogging, constantly bumped by the rush of pedestrians. The legs around hirm blurred his vision, making it tough to keep track of Lillian ahead. He was panting heavily, but he didn’t dare stop.
He had left the bar a while ago, without his phone and feeling lost in the unfamiliar streets surrounded by strangers. All he could think about was catching up to Lillian.
The distance between them grew, and Lillian was about to
to turn the corner onto the next street. Jesse’s eyes filled with tears as he realized he might lose her altogether.
Just when Jesse felt like he might burst into tears, Lillian suddenly stepped back from the corner, tilting her head in curiosity. “Jesse?”
General barked excitedly in her arms, his tail wagging like crazy,
Without hesitation, Jesse took off toward Lillian, pouring all his energy into the sprint, ignoring everything else around him.
sor sweat. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
Lillian looked at the beads on his face, unsure if it was tears or
Jesse pressed his lips together, just staring at her.
“Where are your parents?” Lillian asked, having no idea how hard Jesse was fighting back tears.
Jesse was still in a panic. When Lillian asked, he turned to look back the way he came. But he was completely lost and unable to distinguish directions.
Thinking his clueless driver was back to spying on them with binoculars, Lillian dismissed it. “Tm about to grab a bite and don’t have time to hang out with you.”
Jesse stepped closer and clung tightly to her shirt, looking scared she might leave him behind.
“Want to come with me?” she offered.
Jesse nodded eagerly.
“Let’s go,” Lillian said, handing General to Jesse
Jesse snuggled the fluffy dog close to him. General eagerly licked Jesse’s face, clearly smitten with his new friend.
Jesse, tired after running and holding General, lagged behind. After waiting twice, Lillian placed her hand on the back of his head, guiding him along and giving his cheek a gentle pinch.
This way, the two of them moved further away from the bar, where there was now a chaotic scene at its entrance.
The Lewis family was in full action mode, sending out hundreds of well–trained bodyguards. They spread out in all directions from the bar, conducting a thorough search. The police were also quick to start their investigation.
Surveillance footage from the car showed Jesse getting out on his own. The camera at the bar’s entrance captured only the general direction he went, and the review of road footage was ongoing.
The bar was located in the busiest commercial district of Jerisburg, where the streets crisscrossed and the crowd was thick, especially during rush hour
Finding a child who barely reached waist height amidst all that was going to be a tough task, even with cameras in place. Eugene nearly collapsed when he saw Samuel stepping out of the black Rolls–Royce.
As Samuel walked closer, Eugene couldn’t help but shake. Despite his fear, he stood his ground and didn’t step back
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Without a word, Samuel kicked Eugene to the ground. He glare down at Eugene, his expression dark and intimidating f anything happens to Jesse, don’t even think about coming back to the Lewis family.”
Eugene held his stomach, too pained to respond.
A few blocks away from the bar, on a small food street, Lillian and Jesse stood in front of a pierogi and pasta shop
Lillian scanned the menu. “Pierogies or pasta? Cheese filling or corn and lobster? You don’t have any seafood allergies, do you?”
Jesse raised two small fingers.
“The second one? Pasta with corn and lobster?” Lillian asked,
Jesse nodded eagerly
After ordering, Lillian grabbed two bottles of milk and a bottle of water. She opened the water bottle and said, “Lean your face over here.”
Jesse looked confused but complied. Lillian wet a tissue with water, held Jesse’s chin, and gently wiped the sticky sweat from his face. Feeling a little embarrassed. Jesse pursed his lips and avoided her gaze.
Once his face was clean, Lillian scanned the area and noticed no one was following them “Your family driver isn’t here. Message him.”
Jesse shook his head.
“Don’t want to message him, or did you forget your phone?”
Jesse held up two fingers again–he forgot it
Lillian didn’t respond. Instead, she pulled out her phone, clicked on the contact labeled “Old Timer, snapped a quick picture of Jesse, and sent it along with their location. “I sent a message to your grandpa.”
Jesse’s face lit up with excitement.
Samuel was looking for Jesse when he saw Lillian’s message. A wave of relief hit him, but it quickly turned into anger.
