Begging For A Reconciliation
Chapter 371

Chapter 371

Chapter 371 Keep Moving Forward

"We managed to replace out where Serena was actually being held by eavesdropping on Anna. We'verescued her now. It's lucky Han and the others weren't able to stop us." Shawn had prepared hisexplanation in advance and glanced at Leah, his gaze pregnant with meaning.

The face-altering technology used on the surveillance video was perfect and seamless. By right, Leahshould not sense anything off or suspicious. What had happened, though, after his last conversationwith her…?

"I see…" Leah's eyes darkened slightly, and her heart felt like a stone. If Hendrik had not told her whatwas really going on, she was sure Shawn would have kept her in the dark.

Between Shawn and Hendrik, somehow she felt that Hendrik was more trustworthy. Perhaps the manhad his own agenda as well, but he had said himself that he meant her no harm. If it hadn't been forhim, she would have been unable to leave Qustraebar, nor would she have been able to forge a long-term collaboration with the HJ Corporation.

"Thank you." She pulled herself together and thanked Shawn, not letting on that she knew about hisdeception. The most important thing was that deep in her heart, she did not believe Han would usesuch despicable means to get even with her. Ever since Alfred's death, she could sense his deep grief.He knew the pain of losing a friend, so he would never harm Serena to achieve his goal of revenge.

When Shawn saw that Leah was no longer uneasy, his own suspicions vanished as well. "Why don'tyou stay and look after her, Sarah? I'll send some security personnel over for your protection. I need toget back to work now."

"Okay."

Leah's tense nerves relaxed only after Shawn's departure. Her gaze was bleak. If this continued, all herclose friends would end up like Alfred…

She did not think she could shoulder the weight of such a heavy responsibility.

The magnificent sunset was now hidden by dark clouds. It looked as if it would rain soon.

Leah closed the windows in the hospital room so that any rain would not pelt in. Seeing that Serenawas still unconscious, she picked up her phone and deliberated for a long time before she sent a shortmessage to Hendrik. It read, "Hendrik, have you ever lost anyone important to you, like friends orfamily?"

"Yes." His reply came back seconds later.

Leah gripped her phone tightly, and she pressed her lips together. She texted back, "How did youovercome the sadness?"

Alfred's death was like a sharp thorn embedded deep in her heart; every time she thought about him, ithurt her beyond measure. A young, vibrant life had been lost, all because of someone like her. Hissacrifice was truly not worth it.

Hendrik answered her in just a short while. "You must look ahead. Don't stop moving."

This brief reply pierced through the confusion in Leah's heart, bringing clarity to her thoughts. Shestared dumbly at the message, and large tears began rolling down her cheeks.

She had to look ahead now…

She had been so bound up in her grief and sorrow that she had been unable to move on, going abouther everyday life like a zombie. Even though she had signed an agreement with the HJ Corporation tocollaborate long-term, she had not really entertained any grand ambitions or big dreams. She had onlythought about making more money so she could pay off her debt to Han, trying to get through each dayas best as she could.

She had not realized until now that after Alfred's death, she had completely stopped moving forwardand was merely stagnating in place.

After this conversation with Hendrik, Leah felt as if she had somehow become much closer to him. Itwas as if she were reborn; now she needed to replace herself again. Even if the memories were bitter andpainful, she would always remember the gallant man who sacrificed his life for her. From there, shewould rebuild her life.

Night was fast approaching; it had started to drizzle, and the air was much chillier now. Leah smootheddown Serena's blanket and decided to go down to buy some food. She had not had her dinner yet. Intruth, it had been a long, long time since she had eaten a good meal or slept well.

"Leah."

As soon as she came out of Serena's room, a familiar voice drifted through the dim corridor, startling

her so much that she let out a muffled shriek. Unsettled and in a state of panic, she stared at Han,having no idea when he had arrived. "Why are you here?"

"I wanted to see if you were idiotic enough to torture yourself by not eating dinner," Han retortedcondescendingly, his gaze frosty with disapproval. His eyes were mesmerizing under the dim lights andsomehow utterly irresistible. Leah found she could not tear her gaze away.

Her mind was torn by conflicting emotions. "Why are you genuinely trying to help me…?" It did notmatter whether it was last night's affair or trying to rescue Serena today; Han might not have been ableto rescue her friend after all, but he had tried his best to do so.

Han's lips curled in a faintly mocking smile. "What, this time, you don't think I engineered the entirescheme for my own ends?"

His pointed jibe made Leah's cheeks pale very slightly. Twisting her fingers together, she replied, "Ifthere's nothing more, I'll be on my way." She was afraid he might take it into his head to argue with heragain, and she did not want to disturb Serena.

"One last warning. Break off your relationship with Shawn as soon as possible." Han grasped her arm,his voice cold.

"I know…" Somehow, his overbearing demand did not fill Leah with fury and dissatisfaction. She merelynodded.

Han was slightly thrown by her tame acquiescence. However, he merely frowned and escorted her tohis car. "You're coming with me. I'll have someone guard Serena."

When they arrived home, the family doctor had already been waiting for some time. He changed Leah'sbandages and smiled at her in a comforting manner. "There's no need to worry, Mrs. Howard. You cantake the bandages off tonight, and by tomorrow you can use your hand like normal. However, try toavoid getting it wet."

Leah blinked, startled at how the doctor addressed her. "I'm not his wife, you're mis…"

"Mrs. Howard, you can't hide it from me, you know. Mr. Howard had these special medications sentback here via expedited delivery. At great effort and expense as well, I have to add…"

Han, who had been quietly enjoying the sight of Leah's embarrassment, suddenly looked black asthunder. "That's enough!"

After the doctor had gone, Leah looked at her hands, her mind a whirl of conflicted emotions. "Why didyou do all this?" She was truly shocked; she had never expected Han to be so concerned about her.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm disgusted by your little ruse; using your injuries to try and worm your wayinto my confidence." Han turned and left without a second glance.

This time, however, his cutting words did not upset Leah. Instead, she stood there for a long time,staring dumbly in the direction he had gone.

His actions did not reflect his cold, abominable attitude toward her; she had escaped from harm somany times because of his help, whether covert or overt. Even when he had forcibly taken Carlottaaway and made her keep her distance from Anna, these things had, in fact, helped her.

…

Shawn sat at his office desk facing Jackson. When he thought about what Leah had asked earlier, hefelt somewhat disturbed, as well as a vague sense of unease. This situation had not altered hisrelationship with Sarah in the least; in fact, it seemed to push them even further apart.

"How are preparations going?" He glanced at his assistant, who hastily reported, "We've blamedSerena's kidnapping entirely on Anna. Ms. White won't suspect us."

Shawn's expression relaxed slightly. Turning to Jackson, he inquired, "Have you been able to replace outanything about Hendrik's actual appearance yet?"

Jackson spat on the floor in annoyance. "No, I haven't been able to replace a thing. Even if he's beencaptured on surveillance cameras, he wears a mask, so no one has any idea what he looks like.However, I did manage to dig up something interesting…"

Shawn frowned. "What is it?"

Jackson's smile held a hint of malicious teasing. "Hendrik seems to have some sort of connection toyour Sarah White. In Qustraebar, he repeatedly helped her. My thought is that he may also have givenSarah the White Group…"