“What else could it be?”
Nicole gave it a thought and decided to bring up her father’s disappearance in front of Levant.
“I’ve heard that my father has gone missing after he’d made a trip over to Wicked Palace. May I know what’s going on?”
Levant giggled and queried in return, “Nicole! I’m afraid that the information that you’ve received isn’t complete! My father had asked your father over for a few glasses of drinks, but your father had long made his way back after that. He’s no longer in Wicked Palace. Why? Has he not made his way home yet?”
“Levant, are you sure that my father has left Wicked Palace? Why am I unable to reach him?”
Levant picked up the glass of wine that had been served and gulped it down within a few seconds. He ignored her question and directed another question at her. “Nicole, are you asking me for a favor to search for your father?”
Nicole was speechless at his words.
Stop with your acting! I’m pretty sure that my father is somewhere in Wicked Palace! It’s not a request because it’s a demand! I want you to send my father back immediately!
Nicole had her eyes glued to the man in front of her, casting a stern gaze at Levant.
Similarly, Levant was aware of the things that she would possibly have in mind.
Nevertheless, he couldn’t be bothered by it at all. Instead, he stated, “Nicole, I’ll be sure to help you! However, I think that we should keep this between us to ensure your father’s safety. Evan can’t be of much help since he has limited influence in K Nation. I’m afraid that something bad may happen to your father. Do you see where I’m coming from?”
What the heck? Is he threatening me with my father’s safety to keep Evan in the dark? Is he going to put my father’s safety at stake if I defy his words?
Coincidentally, she had no intention to get Evan involved because he had a lot of things on his plate as well. She didn’t want to cause him any more trouble.
As she made her way over to the restaurant, she had made up her mind. Levant could have possibly abducted her father for the reason that he had wanted to have a meal with her. Thus, she could be sure that he wouldn’t hurt him since her father had brought him up and had educated him, back in the day.
“Levant, although he’s my father, he has brought you up and he’s taken care of you over the past two decades. I hope that you won’t go overboard.”
Smirking, Levant served Nicole a glass of wine as he assured her, “Of course, Nicole! As long as we’re on good terms, I’m sure that he’ll be fine!”
As long as we’re on good terms? Hell no! I don’t even consider us friends! Since Dad has been taken into custody by him, I don’t think that I should offend him. Rather, I’ll play along with him for the time being and think of a way to save Dad.
“Nicole, why don’t you give it a try? I have ordered your favorite dishes!”
The waiter served the dishes that he had ordered, but Nicole wasn’t in the mood to savor them. She savored a serving of steak and noticed that it had tasted different. It wasn’t as delicious as the ones that she had whenever she dined with Evan.
“What about this, Nicole?”
Levant served her all sorts of dishes enthusiastically. Nicole moved her plates away from him and told him, “I’ll help myself to the dishes that I enjoy eating.”
“O-Okay…”
Levant gave in to her request and allowed her to have it her way.
She could barely enjoy the delicacies that had been served. It felt as though she had been savoring dishes of stale food.
On the other hand, Evan, who had arrived home, noticed that Nicole was nowhere to be seen while their children were engaged in different things. He asked, “Have you guys had your meals yet? Where’s Mommy?”
Juan, the busybody, uttered, “Yes, Daddy! Mommy has told us that she would be home late because she would be caught up by something!”
Instantly, Evan glanced at his watch. It was almost nine o’clock in the night. He couldn’t fathom the things that could keep her in the office until such an odd hour.
Therefore, he reached for his phone and called Nicole.
“Where are you?”
“I had a meal with a friend of mine. Currently, I’m on my way home. I’m merely a short distance away from home.”
“You should hang up and drive safe.”
“Okay.”
After hanging up the call, Nicole checked on the time. Since Evan had just called her, she was pretty sure that he had reached home merely a few minutes ago.
Judging by the extended period of time that Evan had spent in his office to have sorted things out, Nicole thought that he must have been caught up in a nasty situation.
All of a sudden, she recalled that John had told her that the projects in K Nation had encountered all sorts of issues and were brought to a halt.
Why? What’s wrong with the projects in K Nation? Could it be Levant again? Is he the one behind the nasty situations that Seet Group has encountered?
She turned the idea in her mind, praying she had misperceived things.
As soon as she reached Imperial Garden, she parked the car and sprinted over to the living room.
“Which friend of yours have you dined with? Where did you head over to have your meal at?” Evan asked the moment she showed up in the living room.
