Chapter 134: Kidnapping Elizabeth
Hobert and Elizabeth politely greeted each other.
"Hobert, you should have told me earlier that you were Ulysses's friend," Dominic smiled, "If we hadn't met at a banquet at noon, I wouldn't have known."
Elizabeth, on the side, curiously sized up Hobert. In her impression, Uncle Ulysses seemed to dislike socializing.
Hobert smiled and corrected, "My father and Mr. Ulysses were comrades. I'm actually Mr. Ulysses's junior."
Dominic chuckled, "Guests who can stay in the villa in the suburbs are all good friends of Ulysses."
Elizabeth didn't intend to continue listening to their conversation. She politely took her leave and went to the secretary's office to wait. She came to inform her father that she would be taking leave tomorrow morning to accompany her friend Selena to the cemetery to mourn her teacher.
Because of the frightening divination earlier, Elizabeth was worried about her friend going alone. If anything happened, she planned to immediately seek help from Melissa's brother.
Hobert and Dominic resumed discussing the case. After learning the results of today's visit, Dominic shook his head with a smile as he smoked, "It's quite normal for investments to fail. Claude ended up with nothing because of his greed. I owe him nothing, and I won't give him a penny of so-called compensation."
At Dominic's request, Hobert conducted an analysis and concluded that the chances of winning the lawsuit were very high.
As he was about to take his leave, he suddenly remembered Claude's expression. He reminded Dominic, "Mr. Claude seems to be at the end of his rope now. Be careful, he might do something irrational."
Dominic shook his head with a smile, "As long as he still has a brain, he wouldn't dare do anything to me."
After all, Mr. Ulysses's brother-in-law was the Chief of Staff of the Intersea Naval District.
...
Back at Backlund, Viscount Hall.
Audrey stared blankly at the painting before her.
"The Grand Hall at Dusk," Lady Countess commented on the artwork on the easel, "It's a wonderful concept."
"Mother," Audrey smiled, "I've been feeling inspired lately. Take a look at my latest painting."
She brought out a painting from the side. The background depicted a courtroom, with a young lawyer laughing, a helpless judge, and a middle-aged lawyer with a gloomy expression.
The well-maintained Countess asked, "Is this the recent 'Workman's Compensation Case' that's been the talk of the town?"
"Kind Countess, what can we do for that poor worker?"
"My dear, I know your kindness makes you sympathize with the worker, but there's nothing we can do."
This case was no longer just a simple "compensation case"; it had laid bare the contradictions between two classes to everyone.
Audrey felt somewhat disappointed inside. Through her abilities and the education she received since childhood, she understood her mother's meaning: not helping the defendant Arnold at this time was already a kind of mercy.
These days, she had been trying to guide her parents, hoping they would stand on Hobert and Bob's side, but evidently, she had failed.
The Countess did not continue the topic but noticed that the painting had been framed. She smiled and asked, "Is this painting for someone?"
"Yes," Audrey did not continue the previous topic either, "Beautiful Countess, would you be my model?"
"Not now, dear," the Countess said, "I came to tell you that tomorrow night you'll join us at Duke Negan's ball."
Audrey glanced again at the painting depicting the courtroom. She whispered softly, "The cost of one of the Duke's balls is probably more than 1,000 pounds, isn't it?"
"What did you just say?"
"Nothing, mother," Audrey smiled, "I'll prepare in advance."
...
Hobert breathed in the moist morning air by the window. The air in Tingen City was much better than in Backlund. He changed into his clothes and had breakfast served by the servants.
Just as Hobert was about to leave, the butler approached, "Master Hobert, the master is preparing a welcoming banquet for you here tomorrow night. Do you have time tomorrow night? If there's a conflict, we can make other arrangements."
"Please thank Mr. Ulysses for his warm hospitality," Hobert smiled, "Guests follow the host's arrangements. I'm available."
"Very well, I will convey your thanks."
Hobert got into the carriage again, heading once more to Dominic's company. He planned to chat with Dominic first, letting the client know he was working hard on his case.
Then he intended to go to Blackthorn Security Company. Originally, he wanted to ask the local authorities to investigate the authenticity of the clues in this case.
But Claude's reaction yesterday gave Hobert a new inspiration. He planned to ask the security company for help in investigating whether Claude had any unlawful intentions.
However, when he saw Dominic, he found him pacing in the office.
Although he seemed to be trying hard to conceal his anxiety, his eyes and slightly trembling fingers betrayed him.
Hobert smiled, "I seem to have come at a bad time. Is there anything I can help with?"
Dominic took a deep breath before saying, "Elizabeth is missing."
"Missing?"
"Yes, Elizabeth didn't go to school this morning but went out with friends," Dominic recounted, "Just now, Elizabeth's two friends came to me. They were supposed to meet at eight o'clock, but they haven't seen Elizabeth yet."
It was now around ten in the morning, meaning Elizabeth had been missing for over two hours.
Hobert asked, "Has a police report been filed?"
"It has," Dominic said anxiously, "The police said they would help search, but they also reminded me that it's not time to file a case yet."
If an ordinary person had reported it, the police wouldn't even accept the case.
Dominic seemed to suddenly realize something, "Yesterday, I should have taken your warning seriously. Claude may not harm me, but oh, poor Elizabeth..."
Dominic suddenly stopped in his tracks, "I'm going to find Claude. Whatever compensation he wants, I can agree to, but he must not harm Elizabeth."
"Please calm down, Mr. Dominic," Hobert seized the opportunity, "If you go to see Claude now, you might also 'disappear.'"
He continued, "Why don't we ask the security company for help? They can also help find Elizabeth. I happen to know a company with very good operational standards..."
"Look at me, I'm getting flustered." Dominic interrupted Hobert, "Thank you for your reminder. I have a long-term cooperation with Awwa Security Company. I can ask them for help."
"Listen to me, Mr. Dominic," Hobert hesitated. If he continued to persuade him, Dominic might suspect that he had received some benefit from Blackthorn Security Company, "Are Elizabeth's two friends still here?"
"They are, in the waiting room."
"I'll take them back then."
Dominic slapped his forehead, "Look at my memory. Please, if it's no trouble for you"
Care brings chaos. No matter how successful he was in business or how calm he appeared, as a father, he was now frantic.
Seeing the two girls waiting in the reception room, Hobert sensed something. After asking, these two girls turned out to be "acquaintances," Melissa Moretti and Selena Wood.
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