Chapter 196
Soon, the female police officer reached for her own phone and began recording a video of
the boy. Then, she uploaded the video onto a website where netizens published search
notices for missing people. “Can I call Mr. Simon?” The child kept his eyes fixed on the
phone in the female police officer’s hand and asked. Deep down, Aiden could still
remember Simon’s phone number, having memorized it over time because he always
called him behind Amanda’s back.
Mr. Simon?
The lady officer exchanged gazes with the other senior police officer as their eyes
brightened up. After that, the senior police officer crouched down and looked at Aiden. “Is
that your father? Why didn’t you tell us earlier? We could have saved all the trouble
looking for your mother for you.”
Aiden waved so adorably that the adults wished they could just peck his cheek. “No, you
can’t call Daddy. Mommy is going to get mad about that. She won’t even let me call
Daddy because she said I’d disturb him that way.”
The two police officers had no idea what was going on, wondering whether Aiden’s mother
was a single parent. Then, the older police officer patiently said, “Alright, let’s give him a
call and get him to pick you up, okay? Your mother must have been worried since you
were missing all night. For that, I think she will understand, knowing this is an exception.”
After that, he took his phone and gave it to Aiden so that he could dial Simon’s number.
As soon as Aiden got the phone, he immediately inserted Simon’s phone number and
dialed it. On the other hand, Simon, who was also busy looking for Aiden, didn’t notice his
phone ringing until a few moments later. His frustrated voice could be heard from the
other end of the phone. “Who is this? If there isn’t anything important today, don’t bother
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtcalling me again. Contact my secretary…”
Before the man could finish his words, Aiden shouted with the phone still in his hand. “Mr.
Simon, it’s me, Aiden!”
“Where have you been, Aiden? I’ve been searching for you everywhere. Why didn’t you
call me? You should have told me where you were ahead.”
Before Aiden could respond, the senior police officer quickly snatched the phone away,
thinking it was better for him to talk to Aiden’s parents. “Hello, we’re from the Northern
Police Department. Are you Aiden Bailey’s father? He went missing last night and came to
us for help. Nonetheless, he couldn’t remember his mother’s number or his residence
address until he told us your phone number a few moments ago. Would it be convenient
for you to come pick him up right now?”
“Alright, I’ll come right now.”
“After the child hung up the call, the police officer heaved a sigh of relief while looking at
him. “Finally,
father is coming to pick you up. You’ll be free to go home. Phew! You have no idea how
tiring it was for me to go through so much trouble looking after you last night.”
your
“No, he’s not my father. He is just Mommy’s colleague instead,” Aiden answered sternly,
whereupon the two police officers exchanged gazes in a confused manner once more.
Meanwhile, Amanda was ready to leave home after she went through her morning routine
and finished her breakfast without displaying too much emotion on her face.
“Where are you going, Amanda? You don’t seem too well.” Selina expressed her concern.
to the office, Amanda answered and left home, but she seemed so preoccupied that she
could have an outburst anytime soon. Nevertheless, instead of returning to her office, she
decided to head straight to Winters Manor to talk to Howard. After all, she couldn’t stand
Howard’s action of taking Aiden away from her without a good reason because that always
misled her into thinking her child was kidnapped.
Upon her arrival at Winters Manor, Amanda was told by the butler about where she could
find Howard. “Old Mr. Winters is in the estate. He didn’t tell me why he went there, but
you could definitely find him. there.”
The estate? Amanda didn’t respond with a single word as she turned around and walked
away, feeling determined to discuss her issue with Howard.
On the other hand, Howard was pacing back and forth anxiously in Winters Manor as he
started calling his men to search for Aiden’s whereabouts. Despite his eagerness to
participate in the search, his physical condition didn’t allow him to do that. Furthermore,
his health was further affected by Elias, who had beent at odds with him lately. “Find the
child. He shouldn’t be suffering so much out there at this age.”
“Don’t worry, Old Mr. Winters. We’re working on it. I believe we’re going to find what
you’ve been looking for really soon.”
Upon hanging up the call, Howard let out a sigh and murmured to himself. Why won’t
everyone listen to me? I wish they could understand that it’s the safest way for them to
leave Aiden with me. If he had been with me, there was no way he could have gone
missing. Alas, why do they always have to make me so worried?”
Howard restlessly paced and forth in the corridor, but as he was about to head downstairs,
he noticed Elias bedroom door that was left ajar. Why is his bedroom door left open even
though he is not around? Piqued by his curiosity, he walked closer and pushed the door
open, only to notice no one inside the room. Could the maid have forgotten to close the
door or something? Just when he was about to turn around and walk away, a silhouette
emerged from behind the bathroom door.
The moment the two of them exchanged gazes, Howard was scared for a few seconds
before he was able to finally take a closer look at who that person was. “Grace Murphy?
What the heck are you doing in my grandson’s room? Who gave you permission to use the
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmbathroom?!” Howard couldn’t fathom the purpose behind Grace’s action of sneaking into
the room.
At that moment, Grace was seen holding an empty bottle in her hand, standing still like a
frozen statue because she didn’t expect to run into Howard. After all, she had spent
numerous days observing the people in the Winters Manor, knowing there shouldn’t be
anyone in Elias’ room at that time, which was why she sneaked in there. “I… I…” Grace
stammered anxiously.
“What are you holding?” Howard noticed the empty bottle Grace was holding and
snatched it, skimming through the labels written on it. Due to the small fonts, it took him
quite a while until he finally understood what it was. Then, he lost his temper and
questioned Grace. “Haven’t you learned your lesson, you wicked woman?! How dare you
try to drug my grandson! Where is your sense of shame?! Do you seriously think you still
deserve to be with my grandson?! Take a look at yourself!”
“You could have put your words nicely, couldn’t you, Grandpa? Furthermore, I only ended
up like this because of your grandson!” Grace was traumatized by the event that
devastated her pride and ego.
“How funny! How dare you have the cheek to accuse my grandson! You were the only
person to blame for your disfigurement! Don’t you dare drag Elias into this?! Moreover, I
know you’ve always guilt-tripped Elias into doing what you want him to with your brother’s
death; otherwise, he wouldn’t even have laid his
eyes on you!” Howard didn’t like Grace at all due to her wicked and scheming personality.
Because of that, he was reluctant to let her become his granddaughter-in-law.
“I seriously beg to differ, Grandpa. My brother didn’t die for anything. You guys only treat
me well because you’re afraid of karma, don’t you? Now, I don’t want to waste time
arguing with an old man like you, so beat it.” Deep down, Howard was the person Grace
hated the most as he was the one who got in her way of becoming Elias’ wife. Therefore,
as soon as she finished her sentence, she snatched Howard’s empty bottle and made a
run for it.