Chapter 32: Chapter 32

As soon as they arrived in front of the Umberbridge residence, Verdict immediately got out of the car and ran over to the girl when he saw Amanda, who was waiting for him at the front entrance with Thyme who seemed anxious awaiting his arrival,

He did not give Amanda a chance at all, who was shocked because she was hugged tightly by a man who was now officially become her boyfriend.

'I miss you.'

That was the first word that rushed across the Verdict's lips after looking at the girl whose face looked blushing violently after hearing that. The man smiled, slightly lowered his head so he could see his girlfriend's face, laughing softly.

'You don't miss me?' asked Verdict, stroking Amanda's hair.

Raymond decided to let them enjoy having some time with them, headed over to Thyme. Their face was pale, and their blue eyes seemed to have lost their charm.

'I've read your file,' said Thyme, refraining from biting their tapered fingers and in exchange, they were pulled out a pack of lollipops from the pocket of dark brown knee-length shorts they were wearing right now, which matched the plain beige shirt with ruffled at the collar of the sleeves. 'I don't know what I have to say to Dad if he finds out about this.'

Raymond patted their tense shoulder, pushing them inside. 'We'll talk inside.'

Then he turned around, leaning slightly out of the door, in the direction of Verdict. 'When you're finished, go to the meeting room.'

'I know. Go away.'

He rolled his eyes, a little irritated by Verdict's attitude, then returned to follow Thyme, who was standing waiting for him. They were walking past Thyme's underlings, guarding the corridor, which was lit by the yellow light that made the room look warmer, he loosened his scarf a little bit.

Thyme gave him a quick glance, then suck their lollipop. 'I'm too careless. I had no idea that one of the properties I sold a few months ago was bought by Simon's confidant.'

'I didn't expect it either, that's why yesterday I gave the data to you. I was worried about your cooperation with Simon, but seeing your panicked expression now, I'm relieved it's not the case.'

'How could it be? Brother Nicholas's death has become a very good reason for me to crush Simon.' Thyme stopped sucking on their lollipop, then gripped the handle of the lollipop until it almost snapped. 'Even though my dad just entrusted his property business to me, and now, this is the result. Ah, really lousy!' Thyme sucked the candy again as their stomped their foot. Thyme's current behaviour really looked like a kid, losing the calm that they were usually made.

'There's still some time to fix it,' Raymond said, then checked his smartwatch, clicking his tongue. 'Correction. We have very little time. The day after tomorrow the captives arrived at Cirillo city.'

'Captives?' Thyme turned. Their eyes are enlarged. 'What captives?

'I think there's a part you didn't read it in my report,' Raymond sighed. 'The children whose parents sold as a ransom for their debt will come to this city. Day after tomorrow. Maybe now on the way.'

'I-I know, really! I just forgot. Forgot,' Thyme looked the other way, avoiding Raymond. It was so obvious they had missed the last page of the file he gave him via email, and the way they dodged his questions reminded him a little with Renault.

'We will discuss the rest in the meeting room. We focus on saving those children.'

'I agree.'

They arrived in front of the meeting room where he had met Verdict a week ago. Immediately he walked ahead of Thyme, opened the door to the room, ushered Thyme to go inside.

'Raymond, don't do it. I'm not comfortable if you open the door for me like that,' Thyme said while walking inside to looking around. Then they retreated, came out of the room, with a pale face, immediately made him entered the room.

Inside the room, a woman sat with her legs crossed on a chair, greeting them. The room looked messy as if it had just been looted.

'There was a bit of a fuss earlier, but I've managed to clean up the mess.'

Raymond stood in front of the Thyme, which blocked the woman from approaching Thyme, who was frozen in shock. 'Hazel? Why are you here?'

Upon seeing him, her mysterious change in attitude became panicked, not expecting to meet him. 'I-I can explain this, Raymond!'

'Five minutes. Start from now.'

Hazel panicked even more. 'Mm, that. My mother's old friend asked me to come here. Checking security for fear of someone breaking into the system installed in this house.'

His brows furrowed at Hazel's explanation. 'Your mother's friend?'

Thyme glanced slightly at Hazel, timidly. 'You mean, Renault Umberbridge? My father?'

Hazel nodded. 'And suddenly I found the intruders entered the room. There.'

Raymond and Thyme turned their heads, in the direction Hazel had pointed at. There was a group of people who were badly injured. He caught a glimpse of the faces of the people who were already unconscious. Not a familiar face, because he knew everyone who worked at the Umberbridge mansion, so he was pretty sure that this woman in front of him was telling the truth. But the evidence was still not enough to assure him.

'Why wasn't I surprised, when I found out my Dad did all of it? He's too troublesome. Always do unexpected things,' Thyme muttered.

'Should I believe in you?' Raymond walked over to Hazel, giving her a glare to test whether this woman was lying to him or not.

Not blinking. There was no sign of circumvention. Confident.

Very nice. That meant Hazel was telling the truth.

'Okay. I believe now.'

Raymond then took a chair that was upside down, then corrected his position and sat down, followed by Hazel sat near him. The woman studied him closely, then looked disappointed for some reasons, and said nothing afterwards.

'I'll take care of their bodies first,' Thyme reached for their smartphone.

'We can't be sure if they're dead or still alive, Thyme. Don't make assumptions so casually,' Raymond replied, shaking his head lightly.

'Well, they're not wrong. If you let them, those people will indeed die,' Hazel looked calm as she said it.

He noticed that there were several cuts on Hazel's arms and the corners of her lips. Immediately he took Hazel's hand, examined the wounds closely, then took a deep breath.

'Let me treat your injuries first,' said Raymond, getting up from his place. 'Thyme, where's the first aid kit?'

Thyme pushed the smartphone away for a moment. 'It should be in the cupboard over there in the corner.'

'Okay.'

He walked over to the cupboard that was almost destroyed. From the damage and matching it with Hazel's wounds, the chances of Hazel's back hitting the cupboard were very high. He gave a quick glance at Hazel, who was grimacing, though she tried to hide it so he would not notice. His hand opened the cupboard door, which immediately fell off its hinges, made a noise that shocked them all, then took out the first aid kit—which thankfully—was still there. Then he walked back to Hazel.

'Can you take off your clothes first?'

To his surprise, Hazel complied. Without hesitation, the woman took off her clothes in front of him. He could see the black lace bra she was wearing. He checked Hazel's back. There were many bruises and scratches. His hands unconsciously started moving, along the skin of Hazel's back, watching her back closely. How long had he not touched Hazel? And now, Hazel's beautiful body was covered with wounds.

He took a deep breath. Again he drew someone else into his problem.

'Raymond?'

He gasped in surprise when he heard Hazel call out his name. Quickly he opened the first aid kit that he had put on the table, treating the woman's wound.

***