The Runaway Groom
Chapter 425

Chapter 425

James Cross said, "Mr. Jefferson sent me.”

"Where is he?" Irene asked.

“He just arrived in Franconia, so he won't be returning soon,” Jamesreplied. “I'm your protection detail in the meantime.”

Irene frowned-by all accounts, Isaac should have arrived in Franconiaalready. “He just arrived? Are you sure?”

James averted his eyes.

Isaac certainly should have arrived at Franconia sooner, but he haddelayed his flight after receiving Mrs. Watson's call.

Now, he was going to need time to take another flight back to thecountry.

In reality, Isaac had his people keep a constant watch on his estrangedfamily, because he knew they would not give up so easily. He told themto inform him the instant they were on the move, and they just did.Worried that Irene would be in danger, Isaac sent James, who justhappened to be staying in the country.

It was certainly fortunate he did, or there would be real trouble.

Still, to Irene, James's evasiveness made it clear that Isaac wasrefusing to see her.

“If he doesn't care enough to show up, why bother pretending to care atall? Is he even concerned if I'm alive or dead?!"

For some reason, all the pent-up frustrations she had been keepinginside burst out right then.

James quickly tried to explain, “It's a misunderstanding-"

“How is that a misunderstanding?” Irene laughed despite herself. “Heknows that the Jeffersons might harass me, or even threaten me, buthe still refuses to show his face! And here you are, lying for him, tellingme that he just arrived and can't return so soon? What, are you goingto tell me now that he's late because he went by car instead of plane?!”“He was just delayed. Mr. Jefferson actually boarded the flight thismorning-

“Quit it. I don’t want to hear a word. He sent you, right? Just watch thedoor!”

With that, she shut the door in James's face, and leaned against it asher tears started to flow, but stubbornly wiped them away!

James was left standing outside.

He thought about knocking, but gave up at the thought that Irene wasseeing red, and directed the protection detail he brought to watch thecompound of Spencer Mansion.

Soon, Irene’s phone rang again-it was not Moneypenny this time, butlan Jefferson.

“What do you want?”

“Nothing. I was just going to invite you over for a little chat.”

Irene snapped right then, “Are you crazy!?"

“About that, you can ask your son and mother.”

Irene tensed up right then. “What did you do?!"

“Nothing much. I just thought that I should invite them over too.”Irene’s fingers clenched on her phone. “Don’t you lay a finger on them.”“Sure, if you comply.”

Irnee’s heart was pounding and her lips trembling. Forcing herself tostay calm, she told herself to stay composed or she was not going tosave Sheryl and Tommy.

She opened the front door-James was still there.

"Ma’am-"

Irene put a finger on her lips and pointed at her phone, and wrote on apaper to tell James that lan was on the other end, and that he hadabducted Tommy and Sheryl.

James realized with a start and promptly directed his people to tracklan’s caller ID, while Irene tried to keep lan on the line. “I'll do anythingyou want. Just tell me what you want.”

“Good. In ten minutes, a MPV with the license plate 90026 will arrive togive you a ride.”

Irene replied, “Fine, but I must have assurance that my mother and sonare fine.”

Irene had barely finished when she heard a ruckus on the other end,followed by Sheryl’s voice, “Irene! Don't do what they say-"

Tommy's cries can be heard too. “Mah-mah!!!"

Irene’s heart skipped a beat, and her whole body trembled withapprehension... just as Tommy's cries left her heart in pieces!

Her eyes bulged as they turned red and she snarled, “You better nothave hurt them, lan Jefferson, or I'm going to kill you!”