Chapter 41
Chasing His Runaway Wife
M NNS 14:35 It seemed that Colette truly loved Chadwick.
However, Chadwick did not seem to catch on to Coletteâs feelings for him.
However, in just a few seconds, countless ideas popped into Tabithaâs head. She piped up with a smile, âA good girl like you, Ms. Ingram, must be coveted by men from all walks of life.â
âNahâ¦â Colette seemed a little embarrassed. âIâm so preoccupied with work that I donât even have time to make new friends. Chadwickâs one of the closest male friends I have.â
As Colette spoke, she stealthily looked at Chadwick, only to see him hanging his head low without any kind of reaction. She could not help feeling somewhat disappointed.
Still, she was there for business, so she would not tap into her emotions. and put them on full display.
Quick as a wink, she put herself together and recited some of the history of that investigator.
âHis name is Trevor Quimby, a renowned figure in the industry. The amount of the assignments he received could even pile up until next year. That said, I can help you cut in line,â she introduced.
Tabitha repeatedly expressed her gratitude.
After the matter was settled, the trio chatted for a while more. When Colette glanced at Tabithaâs wrist, she asked in surprise, âIs that âLone Starâs Tearâ youâre wearing?â
After that had been said, Chadwick unwittingly pinned his gaze on Tabithaâs wrist for a couple of seconds.
âThis bracelet looks more gorgeous than when itâs in the picture.â Colette sounded a tad regretful as she added, âItâs a pity that I was on a business.
UPPD M N 97% 14:35 trip that day and could not be there in person.â
Tabithaâs heart thumped hard for a second. She thought of the bidder number 17 who had pitted against Malcolm at the auction.
Colette quickly continued, âOtherwise, no matter how much it costs, Iâd have gone all out to get my hands on this.â
Her eyes were fixated on the bracelet, and Tabitha understood what Colette was implying.
Tabitha smiled, took off the bracelet, and stuffed it in Coletteâs palm.
âSince you fancy it, this bracelet is all yours,â pronounced Tabitha.
Colette hurriedly refused, âDonât get me wrong, Ms. Jarvis. I simply think. the bracelet is beautiful, thus the words of admiration-â
âYou know what I think? I think this bracelet is quite ordinary.â Tabitha had always been sensible. She could tell that Colette was embarrassed, so she flashed a gentle smile. âBesides, Iâm a doctor. Wearing jewelry like this is only going to get in my way. More often than not, theyâd be sitting in the jewelry box.â
Despite dropping that speech, she sensed a moment of reluctance in her heart.
Even so, when she thought that Colette might really be able to seek justice for her parents, she began to think less of that mere bracelet. To her, it would not hurt to gift it to Colette.
Colette genuinely adored âLone Starâs Tearâ so much, coupled with Tabithaâs facade showing she did not like it all that much, so Colette accepted the bracelet. âOkay, you have my thanks, Ms. Jarvis. Iâll wire you the money in a few days.â
âOh, no, you donât have to. Consider this my paying you back for your 97 14:35 help,â came Tabithaâs utterance.
As long as she could get Naomi convicted, she thought it would be worth it no matter the cost.
âThat wonât do!â Coletteâs grin grew all the more sincere. âThese are separate matters. This bracelet is far too valuable. Iâll have to pay you. Whatâs your account number?â
Seeing Coletteâs insistence, Tabitha was left with no choice but to leave her account number. Deep down, she planned to transfer the money back to Malcolm after she received it.
Both women had their attention on the bracelet, and neither of them noticed that Chadwickâs grip on the cup of coffee tightened slightly as he beheld Tabitha with pity.
Colette saved Tabithaâs account number, admiring the bracelet before turning to Chadwick. âWill you put the bracelet on for me, Chadwick?â
Chadwick stole a gander at Tabitha imperceptibly and bobbed his head. âMm.â
After putting on the bracelet, Colette looked around it happily and then took Tabitha by the hand and said, âYouâre so straightforward, Ms. Jarvis. I like you very much. Can we be friends? From now on, Iâll be calling you Tabby just like Chadwick!â
Tabitha guffawed at that. âSure thing.â
As soon as they were finished talking, Coletteâs phone rang. After answering the call, she apologized, âTabby, Chadwick, I have an urgent case to deal with at the firm. Iâve got to go now.â
Watching Colette leave the place, Tabitha and Chadwick also walked out of the café together.
Î Î Î On the way back, Tabitha could not help but ask, âSay, Chadwick, what do you think of Colette?â
âSheâs pretty decent.â Chadwick smiled amicably. âOtherwise, I wouldnât have introduced her to you.â
Tabitha raised her eyebrows slightly at that. âI think she likes you a lot.â
Chadwick laughed helplessly. âDonât flap your gums. Coletteâs one fine, young lady, and Iâm merely an orphan with an unknown background. Iâll never be worthy of her.â
âWhy would you think that?â Tabitha had long regarded Chadwick as a family when she got him a home. Naturally, she thought highly of him. âYouâre dashing, gentle, and able to grow beautiful jasmine.
Whoever gets to marry you will be one lucky girl!â
âAm I really that good?â Chadwick probed.
âWell, of course,â agreed Tabitha.
Chadwick raised his chin and looked her in the eye. His gentle smile became broader than ever. âWell, donât fret over my affairs. Letâs work on the issue with the clinic first.â
Sylvie and Naomi had made a mess of the clinic, and by the time Tabitha. returned, her colleagues had done cleaning up the place.
Nevertheless, there was still some unfinished work to be doneâsetting the records straight at the police station.
âAs for the rest, we ought to file a report with the police.â Judith whispered to Tabitha, âStill, how Sylvie has gotten herself a miscarriage right here today is surely going to have some impact on the clinicâs reputation.â
Given how well the business of the clinic was doing, their rivals had been greenâeyed monsters for a long time. One could only wonder if they EPPE M D N NOS 97% 14:35 would seize the opportunity to slander them with more accusations.
Then came Tabithaâs reassurance. âDonât worry too much. Our clinic has nothing to do with this. No one can accuse us of anything.â