After the initial shock faded, it was William who first managed to regain his composure and think rationally.
He looked toward Jas and asked gravely, "Jas, what about the killing order we paid for previously? What happened to it?"
Jas nodded, his face tense. "They sent two teams of assassins, but both either died or lost contact. The organization kept our paynt as compensation, stating that we provided insufficient or inaccurate information. They deed the mission far riskier than initially estimated. If we want to continue, we’ll need to pay a higher fee for a more elite team."
William’s face turned grim. "Perhaps we should reconsider. If this powerful force backing Eleanor ever discovers our involvent through the assassins, we could be in real danger."
Jas, however, waved the concern away. "Don’t worry. That organization is well-known for protecting its clients’ identities. The assassins only know the job details... not the employer. They follow a strict protocol."
"How much would it cost for a higher-level team?" William asked, his expression unreadable.
"We paid £100,000 for the lowest-tier service," Jas explained. "The next tier is £500,000, and above that is £1 million. They even have higher-level operations beyond that, but I think we should choose between those two options."
William didn’t hesitate. "Let’s go with the £1 million option. If she regains her mory, it could be catastrophic. Why live in constant fear? Better to eliminate the threat once and for all."
"I agree," Jeanne added coldly, folding her arms.
Jas nodded. "Very well. Please arrange for the funds. I’ll contact the organization and initiate the next phase. This ti, they won’t miss."
Phoebe frowned, her tone curious. "All right, we’re paying for assassins. But one thing still bothers ... how could Eleanor possibly receive such high-level protection? She was just an orphan, wasn’t she? What could have happened to her after she left ho?"
Jas leaned back in his chair, a weary look in his eyes. "The detective couldn’t uncover anything about the years following her disappearance. And now, he refuses to investigate any further... he’s afraid of provoking whoever’s protecting her. My guess is that soone influential is backing the Miller family. Wealthy families often have hidden allies, sotis far more powerful than they appear."
He paused, then continued, "But here’s the thing... I don’t even believe Eleanor is directly connected to Edward Miller. It could be that the force behind him is protecting her. And there’s still one question I can’t shake: why did she leave ho that day? I had just broken up with her over the phone. A normal reaction would have been trying to contact ... or, at worst, doing sothing drastic. But to vanish like that? To just leave? It doesn’t make sense."
William furrowed his brow. "That day, she went for a run in the park, like she always did. She wore her usual tracksuit and sneakers. But after entering the park... she just disappeared. Even the police’s dog squad couldn’t trace her scent after a certain point."
Phoebe glanced at William. "Was there any relative on her mother’s side who might be capable of orchestrating sothing like this?"
William shook his head. "Her mother’s na was Esralda Langford. I never t any of her relatives. Even on her deathbed, Esralda never spoke of them. After she passed, no one ca to claim the body or Eleanor’s custody. And as for Eleanor’s father... no one had any idea who he was. That’s when I forged a marriage certificate to claim custody and access to her assets. One of my friends at the registry office helped. The certificate was printed on authentic paper, so no one questioned it. Everyone accepted the arrangent since Jeanne treated Eleanor so well. I feared for years that soone... either from Esralda’s family or her mysterious father... would co looking for her. But it never happened. If there were any family left, wouldn’t they have shown up by now?"
Jeanne chid in quietly, "There was that nanny, Isabella. Esralda hired her to take care of Eleanor. She was from the sa region as her, and later, when I convinced Eleanor to fire her, Isabella claid she was going back to Birmingham. At least, that’s what she told Eleanor."
Jas rubbed his temple. "Let’s not focus on that for now. Sothing must have happened in the park that day... sothing we don’t know about. But what’s done is done. We need to focus on the present. Avoid her at all costs. If she sees any of us and her mories are triggered, we’ll all be in serious trouble. Even if she becos the sa old Eleanor, she’ll never forgive after finding out I got engaged to Jennifer."
Phoebe nodded in agreent. "Exactly. Now that she has soone powerful protecting her, we shouldn’t take any more risks. Let’s avoid her completely until the assassination is successful."
Everyone in the room nodded silently. After that, the group shifted topics to other matters, discussing wedding preparations and business interests. Eventually, they left the study and moved to the dining room for dinner.
From behind the estate, a tall man in black silently stepped out of the shadows. A slim briefcase was in his hand. Without a sound, he walked to a parked car so distance away and got in.
"Master, the eting has concluded. I’m sending you the full recording now," he said into his phone. He opened the briefcase, revealing a custom-built device with a small laptop and several circuits attached. Connecting his phone with a cable, he transferred the audio recording swiftly. Once done, he closed the briefcase, started the engine, and vanished into the night.
***
In his study, Ethan was seated at his desk, reviewing so docunts on his laptop. His phone vibrated. When he picked it up, a notification flashed on the screen... a voice recording had arrived.
He played the file, and as the conversation unfolded, his eyes narrowed. The deeper the recording went, the colder his expression beca. The air in the room grew frigid, as if responding to his rising fury.
***
anwhile, at Manchester Airport, a Learjet 45XR Air Ambulance touched down and began taxiing toward the private terminal. Several mbers of the Miller family, including Edward Miller, stood watching as the jet ca to a stop on the runway.
As the aircraft door opened, a dical team stepped out, escorting a rolling stretcher equipped with advanced life-support machines. Monitors beeped softly, displaying stable vitals.
Lying on the bed was a pale but peaceful Annabel Miller, barely five years old, her tiny chest rising and falling rhythmically. The successful heart transplant had taken place a few days ago in a specialized paediatric facility in India.
Following the stretcher out of the aircraft were her smiling parents, Aidan Miller and Elsie Turner. The relief in their eyes was unmistakable.
When Aidan spotted Edward nearby, he rushed forward with Elsie.
"Dad, you didn’t have to co all the way here," Aidan said with a grin. "I already inford you... the heart transplant was a complete success. Annabel just needs one or two months to adapt to the new heart. After that, she can return ho fully recovered."
Edward laughed softly, placing a hand on Aidan’s shoulder. "Do you really think I could sit still at ho while my granddaughter returns from the brink of death? I had to see her with my own eyes."
At that mont, a paradic approached. "Mr. Miller, we’re ready to leave for the hospital."
Aidan nodded. "Alright. Let’s go to Hope Specialized Hospital."
He turned to his wife. "Elsie, you go with Annabel in the ambulance. I’ll talk with Dad for a bit in his car."
Elsie nodded and boarded the ambulance, ensuring her daughter was secure. Behind the ergency vehicle, nine cars belonging to the Miller family began moving in unison, their headlights piercing the night as they sped under the glowing city lights toward the hospital.
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