Nelson glanced sideways as Callie turned and walked towards the roadside to hail a cab. He signaled to Kieran, who understood and followed Callie with car keys in hand. “Callie, I’ll drive you.”
Callie didn’t look back. “No need, I can manage.”
“It’s not about whether you can manage. With Jaquan gone, his people are surely still watching you. We can’t take any chances.”
Callie stopped. The terror from last night was still fresh in her mind. She couldn’t afford to take risks. After a moment of hesitation, she gave an address.
Kieran nodded and went to get the car.
Out of the corner of her eye, Callie saw a black car pass by with Nelson inside. He was heading to the Ellison family to make amends.
The Ellison family residence was in disarray, with shards of porcelain scattered everywhere. When Nelson arrived, he took off his coat and handed it to a servant. Charlotte, who had been curled up on the sofa, immediately stood up and approached him. “Nelson!”
Her small face was filled with anxiety and fear as she clung to his arm. “Something happened to Jaquan. They say there was an explosion by the sea, and he’s missing. Father is very angry…”
As she spoke, she watched Nelson’s expression closely, her eyes darting around. “Where were you… your hand!”
She covered her mouth. “What happened to your hand?”
Nelson calmly withdrew his hand. “Just a minor injury, nothing serious.”
He walked straight ahead to the study door where Regan was just coming out. She glanced at Nelson and Charlotte, looking troubled. “Everyone knows about Jaquan’s incident. It has affected the Ellison family somewhat. Father’s angry; he doesn’t want to see anyone.”
Nelson simply stepped forward and knocked on the door three times with his knuckles. “Mr. Ellison, it’s me.”
There was no response from inside, and Charlotte grew anxious.
After a moment, Ahmad’s weary voice came through. “Enter.”
Nelson stepped inside.
In the spacious study, Ahmad sat at the head of the room, looking out at the bleak autumn scenery through the floor-to-ceiling window. His face was lined with exhaustion.
Nelson stood still, hands behind his back. “Mr. Ellison.”
Ahmad slowly raised his eyes, scrutinizing him before suddenly lifting his cane and throwing it forcefully at Nelson’s kneecap. The impact made a sharp sound that echoed pain.
Nelson didn’t even flinch, enduring it without a change in expression.
“If hitting me will make you feel better, go ahead.”
His face was sharply defined, expressionless – more aloof than indifferent, almost arrogant.
Ahmad let out a derisive laugh. “Pick it up.”
Nelson bent down, picked up the cane, and handed it back to Ahmad. As Ahmad took it, he pressed down hard on Nelson’s bandaged hand.
Nelson frowned slightly but didn’t move.
“Jaquan’s plan was thorough; the shipment last night should have left the country smoothly. Why did the police discover it? And it was the police from another jurisdiction.”
Ahmad asked this while watching Nelson’s expression intently.
“If it was discovered, it only means the plan wasn’t thorough enough.”
“Not thorough enough or was someone sabotaging it?” Ahmad increased the pressure, causing Nelson’s palm wounds to reopen. “Why were you at the seaside last night?”
“Jaquan threatened me with my mother, forcing me to handle this matter for him.”
“And then?”
“I didn’t expect Ylosea’s police were already onto him.”
Ahmad closed his eyes briefly. “Last night you were supposed to be in International Waters. Why did you go as soon as Jaquan called?”
He had likely already figured out the cause of the incident; he was just asking for an explanation now.