Maxine examined the file of the child who had suffered from food poisoning. Given the limited medical care available at the time, the records showed the child had developed permanent sequelae, a fact the plaintiff’s attorney emphasized during the trial.
However, at that time, the defense attorney presented new evidence, arguing that the child’s symptoms were actually caused by the child’s own indiscriminate consumption of random foods.
After losing the lawsuit, the child and his family relocated from the city, and their current whereabouts were unknown.
But Cleo should be able to track this down. The records had all the details.
Cleo wedged the phone between her shoulder and ear. “The family you mentioned? Sure thing! I’ll track them down for you. But why do you need to find
them?”
They looked like just regular folks.
Maxine said, “This family might have had some dealings with the Jenson family before. I need them to come forward as key witnesses for my case.”
Cleo sounded a bit uncertain. “Will this really work?”
Cleo thought, ‘Everyone knows how vicious the Jenson family is. One slip–up and they’ll come after you.’
Maxine sighed, rubbing her temples. “We’ll have to play it by ear for
Wow. If
manage
to find them, I’ll go talk to them myself.”
If they were willing to be witnesses, she could send them abroad to lie low until the Jenson fam
as brought to justice.
“Alright then,” Cleo replied.
Just as Cleo was about to hang up, Maxine’s voice came through again, “I really couldn’t have gotten through these days without you. If it weren’t for you, I’d really,”
Before Maxine could finish, Cleo shuddered dramatically and cut in, “Cut it out! None of that mushy stuff. If you’ve got time for sentimental talk, you’d better bring me back some good eats instead. I’m going stir–crazy cooped up here.”
Since those wealthy heirs still hadn’t been caught, the police were worried Cleo might be kidnapped again. They specifically instructed her to stay in the hotel as much as possible during this period, and undercover officers had been stationed nearby to keep an eye on her.
“Alright, got it,” Maxine said with a sigh.
Maxine hung up.
Back at the hotel, Maxine reached for her USB drive, planning to copy the files onto her laptop for a closer look. But when she felt her pockets, the drive
was gone.
She suddenly remembered chatting with Lucas before she left. She felt that she must have absentmindedly left the USB drive on his couch.
Maxine sighed in resignation and got up to head out again.
Cleo popped her head out from the inner room. “What’s wrong this time? Is it Sebastian or Brian again? I swear, can’t that father–son duo get some exercise? They’re always falling ill!”
Maxine sighed, “It’s not about being sick this time. I left my USB drive with all the files at Lucas’s place. Gotta go pick it up.”
Cleo chimed in, “Sure! Stay safe, and could you grab me a Coke from downstairs on your way back?”
Cleo swallowed a bite of her food and grumbled, “This is way too dry.”
09.16 Tue, 24 Jun
Chapter 193
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Maxine chuckled helplessly. “Alright.”
Maxine opened the door and called Lucas as she headed downstairs, but the phone kept ringing unanswered. Remembering Lucas had mentioned he had another surgery scheduled when they parted, she had no choice but to head straight to his place.
Maxine walked up to the front door of Lucas’s villa and noticed the lights were still on inside. She hesitated for a moment, then knocked and called out, “Lucas? Are you home?”
There was no response after a long wait. Maxine furrowed her brow and tried calling again, but still got no answer. Rubbing her forehead, she thought, ‘I remember the lights were off when we left.
‘Could something have happened to Lucas?‘
#
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
