The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 136

He tentatively spoke up to comfort Callahan. “Mr. Langley, maybe Ms. Sloan… just didn’t expect it to be such a coincidence?”

“Didn’t expect it?” Callahan let out a cold laugh, his voice low and icy. “She knew who I was from the very beginning.”

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have appeared so coincidentally in the restaurant Dante had specifically booked for them. She had done it on purpose.

The assistant swallowed hard and braced himself to offer an explanation. “Perhaps Ms. Sloan had her reasons? After all, she just got out of prison, and her identity is sensitive…”

Callahan raised his hand to interrupt him, his face grim as he dialed Leilani’s number directly.

“Ring- Ring-”

After a long wait, the call automatically disconnected. No one answered.

Leilani’s phone had lost signal since arriving at the treatment location. Callahan called several times, but there was no response.

Callahan’s expression grew colder. He switched to dialing Lennox’s number. Lennox was his right-hand man who handled important business matters domestically while he was abroad.

“Lennox, track Leilani’s current whereabouts for me.”

Five minutes later, a reply came from the other end. “Mr. Langley, Ms. Sloan left for Brass City with Marlon this morning.”

Brass City? And with Marlon?

Callahan abruptly stood up, grabbing his suit jacket. “Arrange a plane. We’re returning to the country tomorrow morning.”

Arnold’s condition was stable enough now, and his own injuries were mostly healed. It was time to go back. He needed to clear this matter up once he returned.

The assistant was stunned. “But you were originally scheduled for three days from now…”

“Advance it.”

Callahan’s tone was unquestionable. At the same time, he made another call. “Execute Arnold’s transfer plan ahead of schedule. Send him to the ‘Safe House’ tonight.”

With everything arranged, all that was left was to board the private jet the next morning.

Callahan leaned back against the bed, closing his eyes to rest, but Leilani’s face kept surfacing in his mind. Her focus when administering acupuncture with that cold expression… Her calmness in the face of crisis…

Callahan opened his eyes, dark currents swirling in their depths.

Back in the country, inside Brass City.

Leilani followed Marlon through the villa to the sickroom. In front of the door, two bodyguards in black suits-one male, one female-blocked Leilani’s path.

“Please cooperate with our security check first. You can only enter after we confirm there are no dangerous items.” The female bodyguard spoke expressionlessly.

Leilani frowned slightly. She saw Marlon nearby, already raising his arms with practiced ease to let the other bodyguard check him. It seemed he was used to such strict security.

Leilani followed suit, raising her arms and allowing the woman to scan her with a metal detector. They also checked her acupuncture kit and medicine bottles.

“You’re clear.” After confirming everything was fine, the bodyguard stepped aside.

Marlon stood by her side and whispered, “Dr. Cheney, please don’t mind. It’s the rules.”

Leilani gave a faint “Mm” and pushed the door open.

Inside the room, the lighting was soft, yet there was an oppressive solemnity in the air. An old man lay on a large hospital bed. His face was gaunt, his breathing weak, and his body was hooked up to various monitoring devices.

Standing by the bed were five or six doctors in white coats, both men and women, all around forty or fifty years old. Each wore a stern expression and had sharp eyes.

As soon as Leilani entered, everyone’s gaze snapped toward her, filled with scrutiny and inquiry. There was no disdain in their eyes, but no kindness either. Their gazes sized her up, evaluating her capabilities.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

“Mr. Watson, is this the doctor you recommended?” a middle-aged female doctor wearing gold-rimmed glasses asked in a low voice, her tone skeptical.

18:55

Olivia Harris

Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.