Chapter 265
“Yvette.” The bodyguard was struggling to hold back, but there Howard was, leaning on his cane, with Josiah right behind him.
Howard was here, just as the private detective had confirmed. Yvette smirked, thinking, “Everything the detective has uncovered is true! And Josiah is here! They really are close, huh? That meant Josiah was in on the deception too.
“Perfect” She nodded, her expression tightening. “Let’s go inside” Her eyes narrowed, and she muttered under her breath, “I want to see what kind of woman could catch Howard’s eye, If she’s truly his hidden treasure, she must be extraordinary”
“Yvette!” Howard suddenly grabbed her wrist, his dark eyes locked onto hers as his voice dropped to a serious tone. “You can go in, but there’s no woman in there.”
“Oh?” Wette raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
“Yes!” Josiah added, backing Howard up. Howard is just…
“Shut up!” Yvette snapped, cutting him off. I know you’re with your brothert I don’t believe either of your she jerked her arm free of Howard’s grip pushing open the door and stepping inside.
“Where is she? Co
Come out!” Yvette stood in the middle of the living room, scanning her surroundings with a sharp gaze..
There was only eerie silence around her. It was so quiet that it felt unnervingly empty–like nobody lived here at all.
“No, this can’t be true Yvette couldn’t believe it and quickly dashed up to the second floor.
“Howard “Josiah glanced at Howard before following Yvette up the stairs.
Yvette stormed into the master bedroom, yanking open the door to the walk–in closet, only to find it completely bare. She started opening the doors to other rooms one by one, but every room was the same, empty and untouched.
“This doesn’t make sense. Yvette’s face drained of color as she muttered in disbelief, shaking her head.
wrong! Josiah had been following closely behind her.
“Where is she?” Yvene suddenly turned to him, her eyes blazing with accusation. “There are clearly signs that someone’s been living here. Where have you hidden her?”
The rooms had obviously been tidied up too quickly. Yvette guessed that the woman and any of her personal things had been hidden away somewhere.
Josiah frowned deeply. “Yvette, you’re being too paranoid. There’s no one here.”
Yvette gasped in frustration, frowning with pain. Josiah, after all these years of knowing each other, do I not deserve a truth from you? Is your loyalty only to your brother? Are you going to help him deceive me?”
Josiah said, “Yvette.”
“Say something?” Yvette’s eyes were red with tears streaming down her face as her voice cracked “Please, just tell me the truth!”
y step. He grabbed her hand gently. “What do you want Josiah to say? You’ve seen it
“Yvette…” Howard arrived, leaning heavily on his cane
cane with every yourself. Just stop causing a scene.”
“Causing a scene?” Yvette said with tears in her eyes, “I can’t believe you said that. Her gaze hardened as she locked eyes with Howard. “You always have one step ahead of me, don’t you? You must be glad that I failed to find her.”
She knew, after t
tonight, Howard would be even more careful. “I’m not stupid! You know exactly what you’ve done to me.”
She pulled her hand away
ay from Howard, turned, and headed downstairs. Howard followed her, calling out, “Let me at least drive you home.”
“No need.” Yvette didn’t even look back, taking a deep breath. “I don’t want to see you or your dear brother. She threw the words over her shoulder
and stormed down the stairs.
Howard and Josiah stood frozen, as though her words had cemented them in place.
Howard muttered, frowning as he called out to his trusted aide Hervey. “Have someone follow her and make sure she gets home safely.”
Hervey said, “Don’t worry, Mr. Howard Flynn. I’ll take care of it
190
Chapter 265
It had been forty minutes past the scheduled time, and Yvette still hadn’t shown up in the studio. The artists k back their complaints.
“Is she consing or th
“She’s popular, sure, but we all have work to do. Are we seriously waiting around for just her?”
“Keep it down. Don’t say anything.
“Why can’t I say it? Is it okay to be late?”
“Maybe we should have Ms. Lawrence call her again.”
kept checking the clock, unable to hold
Shannon was also starting to feel the pressure. After all, Yvette had promised to arrive on time, Gritting her teeth, she called her again. The phone rang for a while before it went through. Yvette, are you stuck in traffic or something!”
“Im not coming “Yvette’s cold voice came through the phone, sharp and dismissive. She hung up before Shannon could say anything more.
“Hello!” Shannon stood there, stunned. She thought, What Is she serious? And she didn’t even explain! How am I supposed to explain this to everyone!
However, Yvette was someone she couldn’t afford to upset. Reluctantly, she walked into the rehearsal room, forcing a smile. “Sorry guys, Yvette’s schedule couldn’t be rearranged, so today’s rehearsal is canceled.”
As soon as the words were out, complaints and murmurs filled the room.
“She could’ve told us earlier. Why make everyone wait so long?”
Does she think her time is more valuable than ours?”
Shannon kept apologizing. “Sorry, everyone, I’m so sorry” She turned to Sienna, her tone genuinely regretful. “Ms. Shaw, I didn’t mean to waste your time
“It’s fine” Sienna smiled calmly, appearing much more composed compared to those artists. Even if Yvette hadn’t been late, she would’ve been done around the same time anyway. It didn’t affect her much. Tm leaving then”
Shannon said. “Take care. Ms. Shaw
As Sienna changed in the dressing room, she couldn’t help but wonder, “What was going on? Yvette had promised to come. Why didn’t she show up
Her phone buzzed with an unread message. It was from Josiah five minutes ago. I’m here, by the front gate ]
Once the changed, she headed out, spotting Josiah by the car from a distance.
Are y
you tired?” Josiah took her bag from her as she approached.
“I didn’t do anything tonight” Sienna shook her head and looked up at him, her gaze assessing. Yvette didn’t show up. She made everyone wait. Do you know what happened?
“What?” Josiah tilted his head with a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips “How would I know?”
Seeing Sienna’s doubtful expression, he couldn’t help but grin. “Are you testing me? I really don’t know. If you’re curious, I could ask Howard.” He pulled out his phone, ready to make the call
“No need!” Sienna
grabbed his arm. She couldn’t bring herself to disturb Howard so late over something like this
“Are you sure?” Josiali raised an eyebrow, his eyes glanting with teasing amusement. “Tin afraid you don’t trust me and might get jealous over something ridiculous
“Shut up!” Sienna shot him an exasperated glare before bending down to get into the car.
Josiah watched her slender figure as she climbed to the car, his smile fading as he stood frozen for a moment. He thought, Sorry, Sienna… Please forgive me for not telling you the full truth. It’s about Howard, and then there’s Rosie..
“By the way…” As Sienna settled into the car, she remembered something and turned to Josiah. “Did you
you find out who ow
that phone number?”
Josiah gave a short nod, his long fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel. He said, “Sorry, Sienna. I found out..”