Never Late, Never Away Chapter 2063
Caiden wondered if the two had naturally grown apart once each had had families of their own.
“It doesn’t matter. Most college students don’t stay in touch with their friends after graduation. We’re all going on our separate paths in life, after all…” Caiden rambled, attempting to fill the awkwardness that had descended on them.
Joan, however, knew well enough where the heart of the matter lay.
Whenever Joan used to fantasize about her dream wedding, she’d always pictured Gabriella as her sole bridesmaid. However, things had taken a sudden turn when Gabriella had fallen in love with Joan’s husband.
“Jory…” Nancy moaned. She lay on the bed with her eyes shut, her mind wandering.
“Hey, wake up, hey…” Jaden said, gently patting Nancy’s arm.
Nancy, however, made no response.
“Don’t hit me! I’m begging you. I’m pregnant! Don’t hurt my child,” Nancy whimpered, waving her arms weakly. Her forlorn expression stirred up the pity in Jaden’s heart as he stood by Nancy’s bed watching her.
He couldn’t help but wonder what crosses Nancy had to bear. He could not imagine what horrors she’d witnessed that were so unendurable they’d even spilled over into her dreams.
“Hey, wake up!” Jaden raised his voice and nudged Nancy a little more forcefully this time.
“Who are you? What are you doing? Where am I? Why are you here?” Nancy babbled. She startled awake, sitting up violently.
Jaden couldn’t quite stifle the giggle that burst out of him.
Even when Nancy clearly wasn’t intending to be, Jaden found her reactions endearing.
“Let me answer your questions one by one. I’m Jaden, a friend of Caiden. You’re safe in a hotel. Caiden and I rescued you and Joan from a pitch-dark room,” Jaden replied patiently.
So he was the one who saved Joan and I! Nancy realized with a flood of relief.
“Where’s Joan? How is she?” Nancy asked fervently, clutching Jaden’s arm tightly.
“Don’t worry. She’s doing just fine. You’ll have to stay here for a few days, though. The hotel’s being watched now, so you might be discovered if you try to leave,” Jaden advised Nancy in a reassuring tone.
“What are you doing? Where did those people in the room go, then? Did they fly away?” Gabriella spat at two of her men, who had been diligently spying on the door of the room. She could feel her stomach knotted up in rage.
Why did I hire such useless punks? Gabriella seethed in despair. The only thing they’re good for is taking money from me! They’ve done absolutely nothing so far.
“I’m asking you a question! What? Have all of you suddenly gone dumb?” Gabriella roared.
The two men meekly hung their heads, looking like a couple of convicted criminals.
“Ms. Ward, we haven’t left our spot for a single instant. We don’t know where they could have vanished too either,” One of the men volunteered faintly.
What did he mean by that? Was he trying to insinuate that I’m being unreasonable? Gabriella sneered as she straightened her back and faced the two men squarely.
“Sure. Tell me, then, what should we do now that they’re nowhere to be seen?” Gabriella demanded.
The two men exchanged glances. Helplessness flashed across their eyes.
“We can check the surveillance tapes in the hotel.” One of them ventured tentatively.
Gabriella had to admit that it was a surprisingly sound idea. “Go on, then! What are you waiting for?” she hollered.
The two men visibly trembled in fear as they cowered before Gabriella.
“Hey, you can’t just look at our surveillance footage. We have to get the consent of our manager first…” The supervisor of the security control room quickly broke in.
“Get lost! You’d better not stand in my way. If you insist, I’ll get rid of you in the nastiest manner possible,” Gabriella threatened meanly. She took a menacing step towards the supervisor, who shrank back and quickly retreated a few steps.
The supervisor rapidly took stock of the situation. He almost instantly came to the conclusion that self-preservation was of utmost priority. There’d be time enough to make all the reports he wanted after this crew of ruffians had departed.
“Have you found anything?” Gabriella asked through gritted teeth.
How dare you escape from me! Gabriella cursed Joan inwardly. How could she have even managed to flee in that state? It’s practically a miracle, Gabriella pondered. She almost admired the wits and determination that journey must have taken.
“You’d better hurry up. My patience is almost used up,” Gabriella announced chillingly.
The men could not comprehend how this woman had managed to strike such terror in them. However, they had never met such a callous woman in their lives. They obeyed Gabriella as if by instinct.
“Ms. Ward, we’ve already reviewed the tapes in the security control room, but…” One of the men began, but his voice died away on his lips.
“But what!” Gabriella shrieked at the top of her lungs. Quite a number of doors opened and a few guests peered out, evidently displeased by the ruckus.
