Chapter 447
She stared at the newcomer, taking a while to regain her composure, and then walked up briskly, delighted. “David, thank God, you’re alright. I feared that you p>
But as she approached, David stepped back, maintaining a distance from her.
Eva stopped, puzzled. “What’s wrong p>
Yet David’s gaze was icy, a stark contrast to before it was as if they were strangers to each other.
No, strangers were not this cold-it was as if there was enmity between them.
“Ms. Hansen, you’ve kept me waiting,” he uttered frostily.
Eva’s smile faltered, and after a moment she asked, “David, what’s going on p>
Unfortunately, David ignored her question, his attention fixed beyond the gates.
“Ms. Hansen, did you come alone? Did you keep your promise p>
Caught off guard, all Eva could do was nod.
“They dropped me off nearby, didn’t come inside,” she explained, then paused before adding, “That’s not breaking a promise, is it p>
David didn’t respond. Eva sighed internally and then pressed, “What now? Where’s Michael Cooper p>
The gates to the villa remained open, a silent invitation made abundantly clear by David’s imposing stance as he waited there. It wasn’t hard for Eva Shen to piece things together.
David was the errand boy today, not Michael Cooper. She had been summoned here not to meet Cooper, but to be whisked away by David to another destination.
“Mr. Cooper isn’t here?” Eva asked.
Before Daniel could even respond, she bombarded him with more pressing questions. “Where is he then? How can I contact him? And what about Adrian Blackwood? What has Cooper done to him? Is Adrian safe? I’m willing to keep my end of the bargain, but I need to see him safe and sound first. I won’t take another step until I do p>
No sooner had she finished speaking than David thrust his phone into her hands. Eva glanced at the screen and noticed the call was live; they had been on the line even before she had arrived.
The coldness in David’s demeanor suddenly made sense. She had wondered why, after he had saved her before, he seemed so indifferent now. With a little bit of clarity and a tinge of apprehension, Eva took the phone. “Eva,” came the familiar voice of Michael Cooper from the other end.
“Where’s Adrian Blackwood?” she demanded.
“Since you’ve come all this way, you’ll see him sooner or later,” Cooper’s voice was infuriatingly calm.
“Why not let me see him now?” Eva shot back, her patience thinning.
“It’s not that I don’t want you to see him, Eva,” he replied smoothly. “It’s that you can’t see him just yet p>
Eva narrowed her eyes, a mix of anger and worry washing over her. “What do you mean?” she snipped. “Isn’t he here p>
“Are you trying to fish for information?” There was a hint of amusement in Cooper’s voice.
Eva remained silent, frustration bubbling within her.
“But I trust you, Eva. Since you’re here, I’ll tell you-he’s in another country. I’ve already arranged your flight. Just you and David. Once you arrive, I’ll let him go p>
Eva’s brow furrowed tightly.
“In which country p>
It dawned on her that Adrian wasn’t around anymore. Jacob’s men were searching in vain here; without any leads, there was no point.
She had to get this information to Jacob, but how would she do it while being watched? Cameras, both visible and hidden, peppered the perimeter.
As she bit her lower lip in thought, she heard Cooper continue, “I can’t reveal his location, but as long as you come to me, he’ll be perfectly fine. Oh, and to show my sincerity, I’ll have David show you a photo shortly.” Sincerity… The word made Eva’s stomach turn. How dare he play the good guy in this twisted game of his?
Suppressing the urge to curse him out, Eva abruptly ended the call and handed the phone over to David.
“I need to see those pictures right now p>
David took the phone without a flicker of emotion, swiped to open the photo, and Eva’s face paled instantly at the sight.
In the photo, Adrian Blackwood was lying on a bed, his complexion ghostly, a bandage wrapped around his forehead, stained with hints of blood.
“What happened?” Eva stepped forward, gripping David’s arm, “How did he get like this? Did Michael Cooper do this to him? Is his life in danger p>
David glanced at her hand on his arm and shook it off, stepping back to put some space between them.
“Ms. Hansen, I don’t have the details. If you want to know, you should ask Mr. Cooper directly.” “Fine, I’ll ask him myself p>
But instead of returning the phone, David took it back.
“If you want me to ask him, why won’t you give me the phone to call?” she demanded.
“Ms. Hansen, Mr. Cooper means that he will discuss it with you in person,” David replied.
Eva was speechless for a moment as David turned and started walking away.
Quickly, Eva followed after him.
“So when do we leave p>
“Tomorrow p>
“Tomorrow?” Eva’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you kidding? It was supposed to be today p>
David didn’t bother responding.
With no other choice, Eva trailed behind him, incessantly talking about leaving today, her mind racing with images of Adrian lying in bed, injured. How could she possibly sit and wait? “David, David p>
He stopped abruptly and opened a door, “Ms. Hansen, this is your room. It’s been cleaned; you can stay here comfortably. And by the way, if you have any way to communicate, tell your people outside to back off, or I can’t guarantee Mr. Blackwood’s safety p>
Stunned, Eva wondered if Jacob and the others had arrived.
Frowning, she pulled out her phone and stepped into the bathroom to make a call, turning on all the taps. They can’t possibly have cameras in the bathroom, right?
As soon as Jacob picked up her call, he asked urgently, “Ms. Hansen, are you okay p>
“I’m fine p>
“And Mr. Blackwood? Is he there with you? What’s the situation? Are there many people around?” Eva took a deep breath and said, “He’s not here. You’re wasting your time searching p>
“Mr. Blackwood’s gone? What about Michael Cooper? Is he around p>
“Only David is here p>
At the mention of David’s name, a look of recognition flickered across Jacob’s face. “Isn’t he the one we’ve been searching for? The one who saved p>
“Yeah, for various reasons, he’s currently still helping Michael Cooper out p>
After some thought, Eva outlined the next steps.
“Sit tight on your end. All I know for now is that Adrian Blackwood is not in the city. Or he might be bluffing. In any case, keep an eye out for clues while you search p>