Chapter 48
nd of p
poker, Franklin made his exit
The party didn’t let up till the early hours of the morning. As the crowd started to thin out before the next round early, leaving a nice parting gift for Leon despite the earlier tiff.
That was just how Franklin rolled–saying things that stung, but with a heart as soft as a pillow and treating folks with a whole lot of kindness Lawson handled the end of things, giving Leon a comforting pat on the back. “Don’t let Franklin’s mule–headedness get to you”
Leon didn’t really care that much. “I was just trying to show some concern. Who knew Frank would be so touchy today? He used to light up when we mentioned Elizabeth.”
“It’s not the same as before. Lawson remarked.
“Did they have another fight?” Leon asked, his tone curious.
Consiping about Franklin’s personal life was a sure way to get into trouble, and Lawson didn’t want to get into it, so he said casually, “Yeah, go home to your missus. It isn’t your place to fret over someone else’s wife.
Leon’s lip curled in a swift sneer. “You, Mr. No–Wife, are giving us advice?”
“Leo, you’re getting too sassy for your own good,” Franklin teased.
Franklin’s friends, who had grown up with him together, had all sealed down, getting hitched one by one and making Lawson the last man standing with no ties. His easygoing, party–hard lifestyle hadn’t changed a bit. In fact, he just switched up his company more often.
However, he was as happy as a clam, unburdened by family drama, living a carefree life.
During the banquet, a guy waved Lawson over, teasing, “Don’t overdo it after the wedding, man. Keep your strength up!”
Lawson’s face went sour
With a kick, Lawson said, “Seram, would you!”
Exiting the elevator, Lawson hustled to catch up with Franklin, who was sauntering and having just slipped out of the hotel. No sooner had he hit the bottom step than Lawson slapped him on the back. Franklin twisted around and roughly shook off Lawson’s hand.
“What’s up!” Franklin demanded.
If it weren’t for Elizabeth, Lawson wouldn’t be here buttering him up. “It’s Leo’s engagement banquet today. Can’t you say something nice? You made me step in. You just have the same explosive temper as Elizabeth.
“How am I anything like her!” Franklin bristled at the comparison.
Lawson let out a dry chuckle. “Don’t mock her. Truth is, she’s a lot easier to get along with than you. That one remark you made really knocked the wind out of everyone”
“If they hadn’t asked. I wouldn’t have said it,” Franklin responded,
The night was icy and dark. The city lights were doused, and the parking lot was nearly empty.
They spotted the car. Lawson had come solo. He never had a chauffeur, unlike Franklin, who liked his comforts, using his late uncle’s son as chauffeur. Lawson leaned over for a peek and, as expected, there was Jerry inside the car
“Hey, Jerry” Lawson said.
At the sound of his name, Jerry looked up from the car with a glint of surprise in his eyes. “Lawson”
“Haven’t seen you around. Where have you been?” Lawson asked.
The car window rolled down. With better hearing, Jerry’s eyes flickered with something evasive and shy. Instead of a straight answer, he glanced at Franklin, who coldly sliced through their exchange, “Scram I’m leaving
Lawson could only smirk helplessly. “Just keep that scowl on your face, hmph.”
Franklin slid into the car and threw out an instruction grudgingly. “Les Elizabeth know that she needs to get in touch with me in the next few days. Grandpa’s coming back soon, and it’s not the time for her to throw aft
“Why don’t you reach out to her?” Lawson asked.
Oupter 18
Franklin just stared dead ahead. “She’s blocked me
Hearing this. Lawson and Jerry both saw the real annoyance on Franklin’s face, but there was no easy
The car pulled away from the hotel, leaving behind the glow of light there.
As for that.
The road up ahead was as dark as pitch, the car’s headlights barely making a dent in the gloom. Franklin, riding shotgun, had been eerily silent since the banquet, where he’d had a bit to drink, and now the alcohol was really hitting him.
Franklin rubbed at his forehead, his eyes feeling heavy, and a sour feeling started to rise in his stomach.
“Frank, you okay?” Jerry asked, his voice cutting through the darkness.
“I’m good,” Franklin grunted, his discomfort clear.
Usually, when he got like this, Elizabeth would be there to comfort him and hold him. Back home, she’d whip up some hangover soup and oatmeal. But now, all he had was an empty, cold house with no warmth to be found.
The difference was jarring, and even jerry felt a pang of sympathy for Franklin. “Frank, I’ve got some leads on the person we’ve been looking for. Why don’t you talk to Ms. Taylor and see if you can get her back?”
“Talk to her!” Franklin let out a humorless chuckle. “Does she even speak our language?”
“But didn’t Ms. Taylor leave because of this?” Jerry said, trying to make sense of it.
Franklin was at a loss about why she’d left. “Did we find someone? What’s their condition?
“Frank, it’s someone you know,” Jerry hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “We found someone with the same blood type as Ms. Yvonne Jones, but nobody’s willing to keep donating. Then I stumbled upon someone who might be willing, but I don’t know…”
“Get to the point.” Jerry said, his impatience getting the better of him.
“Ms. Garcia,” Jerry finally said.
That rang no bells for Franklin. He gazed out the window, his voice low. “Whol
Jerry was reluctant to continue. “You don’t remember. The day she dropped you at the hotel, I drove her home. She overheard me on the phone and offered to donate in the long term because her blood type was a match,”
“Rae Garcia?” Franklin almost choked on the name and then corrected himself, “Rachel.”
His memory wasn’t what it used to be, and it was grating on his already frayed nerves.
He was in a race to find a blood donor and coax Elizabeth back, and the pressure from home was mounting–everything was a mess,
“Even though she’s willing, it’s a sensitive situation with you two. If Ms. Taylor finds out, she might not be pleased.” Jerry was being delicate with his words.
It was a reminder to consider Elizabeth’s feelings, but it only soured Franklin’s mood further, his brows knitting together.
“Pleased? She’d probably throw a party if I brought a woman home,” he scoffed. “Get Rachel on board. I’m out of time. My grandfather will be here any day now
Jerry just followed orders. “Alright, I’ll get in touch with Ms. Garcia. About the payment…”
“Give her top dollar, as long as she keeps it quiet and doesn’t get any fancy ideas, Franklin instructed, his voice firm.
“Got it Jerry replied.
This w
was a desperate move. Franklin had never felt so powerless. And find Elizabeth as soon as you can.”
The car hummed along. Jerry picked up on the resignation in Franklin’s voice. Franklin had the tolerance and the soft spot for Elizabeth, something he’d never shown to anyone else.
Yaville wasn’t a sprawling city, and with Franklin keeping a close eye on things, Jerry managed to track down where Elizabeth was staying by the following evening. It wasn’t her own place–she was just bunking with a friend, looking a bit down on her back, but she seemed happy enough:
When Jerry caught up with the two women by the apartment building, his determination to bring Elizabeth back home faltered, his body trembling slightly
He looked down, staring a
at his shoes, his voice barely a whisper. “Ms. Taylor, Frank told me to bring you back”
Joanna pulled Elizabeth behind her like a shield
12:47 PM ₫
Chapter 48
“Who does he think he is? We should go back just because he says so? Why doesn’t he come and say it to her face?” Joanna demanded.
Joanna was intimidating, Jerry didn’t dare provoke her, the image of the last time she’d left him with a bloody face still vivid. He could only appeal to Elizabeth with his eyes, but she avoided his gaze, looking away.
“Ms. Taylor…” Jerry said.
“What are you even doing here?” Joanna pushed Jerry aside in irritation. “I said, get lost. The Jones family may be high–class, but this is how Frank Invites his wife back!”
Wanting to avoid a scene, Elizabeth tugged on Joanna’s shirt. “It’s okay. Let’s just go inside.”
Joanna rolled her eyes at Jerry. As she turned to go inside, he reached out to grab Elizabeth, but Joanna stopped him in her tracks. “What do you. think you’re doing!”
Jerry’s wrist was brushed aside.
Joanna glared at him, her words as sharp as daggers. “Well? She doesn’t want to go back, and you’re going to force her? You think I won’t hit you again?”
“I didn’t mean it like that Jerry said, bewildered. “Ms. Taylor, don’t make this difficult for me”
Elizabeth was a pushover, but Joanna was anything but. At these words, her eyes widened, and without a second thought, she slapped Jerry across the face, leaving him dazed and Elizabeth shocked, who quickly pulled her away.
But Joanna was suddenly filled with a sense of justice, ready to light for Elizabeth.
“Who’s making it difficult for you? Go back and tell Franklin that Elizabeth doesn’t need to be a lady of the Jones family. Let him look in the mirror. Does he think he’s so precious? Joanna sneered
Elizabeth pulled her, feeling utterly embarrassed. “Stop it. Let’s go inside.
Joanna was pushed along but couldn’t help but look back at Jerry. He was recovering, even though he’d been hit. Since he’d taken the hit, he couldn’t be hit for nothing. He still had to complete his mission.
“Ms. Taylor… Jerry shouted.
Just leave,” Elizabeth said, apologetic but firm. I’m sorry about today I’ll make it up to you.”
Jerry shook his head, not bothered by the slap at all. “Ms. Taylor, Frank’s grandpa will be back soon. Frank wants you to come back. Even if it’s about divorce, you should talk to the elders. You understand his position.”
I have Lawson talk to them,” Elizabeth said.
“Ms. Taylor Jerry was ready to lay all his cards on the table. “Frank knows you’re not well and has already sent me to find another blood donor. He actually cares about you a lot
