Chapter 207
“Fernando, I’ve lost both my phone and laptop. I won’t be coming back tonight let’s talk tomorrow when I get back. I’ll explain everything then.” After she finished, she waited for a response, but the other end was silent. “Is Terrell there? Does he have something to say to me?”
Ablett sat on the sofa, his long fingers draped over the armrest, silently waiting–clearly wanting his phone back.
A director–general’s phone must be filled with secrets that outsiders can’t know.
Blanche didn’t dare keep it too long. “Please look after Caleb for me” she added. “Just tell her the task is finished. In a couple of days, we’ll be able to go home.”
Something felt off. She could hear the other person’s breathing, but they refused to speak.
She ended the call and handed the phone back to Ablett.
He looked up, his gaze landing first on the red finger marks on her cheek, then on the grazed skin of her hand. He reached out to take the phone. “Wait a moment.”
“Hmm?” Blanche actually just wanted to leave. There was a line of plainclothes officers standing by the door; though they faced away, she could still sense their presence–like someone was constantly watching.
Ablett’s secretary, Wendy, kept glancing in, checking on them.
“Bring in the first–aid kit,” Ablett instructed Wendy in his usual calm tone, placing his hand on the seat beside him.
Blanche walked over and sat down, suddenly aware of the raw skin on her hand where the rope had chafed her.
Wendy brought the first–aid kit in and left immediately. Ablett opened the case and took out an antiseptic swab./
“That’s not necessary, Director–General. I can do it myself. It’s just a scratch; I’ll be fine without disinfectant.”
All Blanche wanted right now was a laptop. Someone was clearly pulling Kermit’s strings, and she was desperate to find out who was trying to hurt her.
Ignoring her protest, Ablett set down the swab and picked up a cold pack, pressing it gently to the swollen side of her face with his long arm.
1/2
10:00
Chapter 207
The sudden chill made Blanche shiver. Her eyelashes fluttered as she met his clear gaze; a faint scent of ink and paper lingered around him.
Lowering her eyes, she quickly pressed her own hand over the cold pack. “Thank you, Director–General.”
His fingertips brushed her palm, warmth fading the instant she took over:
“Mm.” Ablett rose and returned to his desk. Wendy and two male assistants immediately swept in, laying out stacks of documents. Even though it was late, he dove straight into work.
Blanche cleaned her grazed hand, applied a bandage, and tossed the used supplies in the trash.
Just as she was about to leave, a staff member brought her a brand–new laptop and phone.
Surprised, Blanche glanced at Ablett, but he was already absorbed in paperwork, quietly discussing something with his assistants.
She tucked the new devices under her arm and slipped out, heading across the hall to the guest suite Ablett had arranged for her.
The house was laid out with a living room facing the main entrance and two suites on either side–just enough for everyone to have their own room.
The staff, apart from the rotating security outside, needed to stay close. Most likely, they were housed in the outbuildings beyond the courtyard.
Blanche entered her room, shut the door, and immediately powered up the laptop, launching her custom “Minesweeper” program. Within moments, she’d hacked into The Harvey Group’s website, searching for any trace of Kermit.
While the program ran, she lay down on the bed, eyelids growing heavy.
Suddenly, she felt someone’s breath close to her ear–a presence so familiar she instinctively knew who it was. The man’s face came into view, the sight of him cutting straight to her heart
He seized her arms in a firm grip and pulled her into a tight embrace.
His voice, low and compelling, murmured against her ear, “Darling, everything I’ve done… it’s all been for you.”
