Chapter 83

After parting ways unhappily with Malcolm at the hospital entrance, Tabitha spent nearly half a day wandering around the flower market before returning home. Not finding Malcolm at home gave her a sense of relief instead.

Even until the next morning, Malcolm was still nowhere to be seen, so she thought, ‘Maybe he went to that woman’s place again.’

Tabitha headed to the hospital after having breakfast.

Emmanuel had not completely been cleared of suspicion, and she wouldn’t let go of any suspicious person until she thoroughly investigated them.

When Tabitha opened Emmanuel’s ward door, she discovered a middle- aged man inside who wore a dark gray padded jacket and exuded intense sloppiness.

The atmosphere in the room felt off, with both Emmanuel and the middle–aged man wearing gloomy expressions as tension hung in the air.

Tabitha briefly froze.

At the sight of Tabitha’s abrupt appearance, Emmanuel was instantly a little nervous but swiftly regained composure.

Without waiting for Tabitha to speak, Jayden grinned, revealing his yellowed teeth. “Miss, are you Manny’s friend? You’ve tome to visit him, too, huh?”

Jayden had rough skin, and his face was covered in numerous wrinkles that resembled earthworms when he grinned. Moreover, he emitted an unpleasant odor.

Tabitha didn’t want to judge someone based on appearances, but he MMM 27% 15:08 seriously made her feel utterly uncomfortable. Hence, she politely took two steps back and queried, “Yes, and you are?”

“I’m Manny’s distant relative. I feel rather sorry for him that he’s injured and hospitalized without any family around, so I came specially to check on him,” Jayden responded smilingly.

Despite Jayden’s amiable smile, Tabitha subconsciously wasn’t willing to get close to him.

Emmanuel didn’t want to alarm her, so he nodded, acknowledging Jayden’s lie. “He’s a relative from my father’s side.”

Tabitha silently furrowed her brow but still greeted courteously, “Hello, I’m Tabitha Jarvis.”

‘Why have I never heard Emmanuel mention that he had such a relative?‘ she wondered.

After greeting Tabitha with a smile, Jayden casually explained, “I came to town today not just to visit you but also to buy some essential items, so I apologize for being a bit late, Manny.”

Feeling high–strung, Emmanuel replied in a very deep voice, “It’s okay.”

“Don’t you want to know what I bought?” Jayden grinned. “I got a rope and a sharp knife. I’m planning to tie up a sheep and slaughter it for money later.”

At once, Emmanuel’s face fell, and he instinctively glanced at Tabitha.

Her eyebrows were slightly knitted. Although Jayden was speaking about commonplace matters, she couldn’t shake the discomfort in her heart. Afraid he might continue with details about slaughtering sheep, she chose. to stand a few steps away.

Jayden immediately leaned toward Emmanuel and spoke at a volume only MM M 27% 15:08 the two of them could hear. “Manny, I’m giving you one last chance. If you don’t want that woman to be the sheep, you’d better pay up now.”

Emmanuel took a glimpse at Tabitha. She stood facing them sideways, her expression gentle, completely unaware that someone was plotting how to harm her.

“How much do you want?” he asked on instinct.

“20,000 dollars,” answered Jayden. “I’m not greedy. I just want some living expenses.”

‘As long as Emmanuel is willing to give me this time, I can gradually ask for more in the future. Now that this son of mine has also joined the Sinclair Group headquarters, he surely has plenty of money on him, he mused.

Emmanuel snapped back to reality, finding it unbelievable that his heart. had momentarily softened. He collected himself and refused in a cold. tone, “I don’t have that much.”

“You don’t? Then, don’t blame me for treating that woman like a sheep to be slaughtered.” Jayden’s face instantly turned grim, and his murky eyes. became ominously sinister.

“Let’s see whether you have the ability to do so or not, then,” Emmanuel stated icily.

Jayden warned with a gloomy face, “You’d best not regret it. Once I really take action, you’ll have to pay for the consequences.”

After leaving these words behind, he smiled and claimed to have matters. to attend to before bidding farewell with a friendly demeanor and departing.

Before leaving, Jayden glanced at Tabitha with a beam, and a glint of chilliness flashed in his eyes.

MMM UN 427% 15:08 For some reason, Tabitha felt chills running down her spine, prompting her to quickly avert her gaze.

The more she looked at Jayden, the more she sensed that he wasn’t a good person.

However, Tabitha didn’t pay too much attention to Jayden and turned to ask Emmanuel instead, “You seem to be in good spirits today. Does that mean you’ll be discharged in the next couple of days?”

“Yes,” said Emmanuel.

“Coincidentally, I don’t have much going on these days. I can come send you home when you’re discharged,” Tabitha offered.

Emmanuel quickly declined, “No need to trouble yourself. I live in the suburbs. It’s very remote.”

Tabitha smiled. “It’s fine. I want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a bit as well.”

Emmanuel’s thoughts came to a halt as he looked at her with a conflicted look. Jayden’s earlier words were already very explicit. If Emmanuel wouldn’t fork out the money, Jayden would take action against Tabitha. Emmanuel knew he should advise her to stay home as much as possible. for the time being and avoid going out for no reason.

However, even though Emmanuel and Tabitha seemed to have become. good friends now, she still acted rather distant toward him. If he wanted to bring his relationship with her closer, he had to do something more.

‘Even if Jayden kidnaps Tabitha, he won’t harm her. At most, he’ll demand money…

‘I can wait for Jayden to make a move and then rescue Tabitha. She’ll likely be incredibly grateful to me, he pondered.

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