Love’s Change of Heart novel Chapter 286

In the darkness, the man seemed to have become flustered. Before she had the chance to consider her options, he threatened her sternly, "Hurry up! My patience is running thin. It's just five million! I don't believe that you'd be lacking that amount!"

If this was in the past, then Leanna would definitely be perplexed and shocked, yet as soon as she heard his last sentence, she suddenly felt the urge to laugh. However, she could not come up with the words to say despite opening her mouth slightly.

She thought that the person who sent the extortion letter might be Ron or his men. Even more so, she thought that it could be the man who had paid for her services back then, but she clearly never expected it to be him…

Indeed, why would she even think of him? He was someone who should have been dead! This man, whom she had addressed as Dad for more than twenty years, was here, extorting her with these photos.

Leanna suddenly felt weary. She calmly expressed, "I don't have that much money. This is all I have. Take it or leave it."

After she said that, she placed the luggage on the ground and was about to turn and leave.

As soon as Jethro saw that, he panicked. "You're operating such a successful business and you've got such a huge shop. How can you possibly not have five million? Are you trying to fool me? Aren't you afraid of—"

"You can do whatever you wish to. I'm not afraid at all. You should be the one who's fearful, Jethro." Leanna glanced at the darkened area. "Even though you've escaped from prison, you'd soon become a wanted national fugitive once people realize you're well and alive. So, do you really think that you'd be able to escape?"

Jethro was silent for some time, as he most likely did not expect Leanna to figure out his identity.

Subsequently, he warned viciously, "Don't even think of threatening me with those words. Since I managed to escape from prison, I definitely have a way of avoiding being recaptured too! As for you, my darling daughter, you seem to be leading an impressive life right now. You've got your own business which you lead, so you must earn a significant amount, huh? What's wrong with giving your dad some money as a sign of filial piety? Isn't that within expectations?"

Leanna responded, "Speaking about that, I've got something to ask you. I saw the items you had stored in the luggage. What happened twenty years ago? Why did my mom marry you while she was still carrying me in her womb?"

As soon as Jethro heard that, he remained silent as he stood in the darkened area before suddenly bursting into laughter. His laughter was grating to the ears and it sounded like an old, untuned piano that was screechy and worn out.

Meanwhile, Leanna maintained her position quietly and her face was expressionless.

At that moment, Oscar, who was hidden in the shadows, felt that the timing was perfect to capture Jethro while he was distracted.

Yet, Jethro was prepared for that as he remained in the darkness so that no one could tell where he was standing. As soon as he heard the slight rustle from behind, he instantly leaped off the second floor and ran away.

Oscar's men were just about to give chase, but they found themselves disrupted by the middle school kids that had just ended their classes.

Not only did they not manage to capture Jethro, but they did not even catch sight of him at all.

As soon as Oscar saw that, he rubbed his nose abashedly and walked over to Leanna's side. "We miscalculated. I'll assign more men to find out his whereabouts as soon as possible. Don't worry."

Leanna shook her head gently. "It's alright. He will seek me out again."

Previously, she had no idea about the other party's identity, so she was anxious about the situation. In contrast to the presence, she had managed to identify that the person threatening her was Jethro and his purpose was to obtain money, that's all.

Furthermore, based on the meeting point he had selected tonight, he was definitely on his guard. Otherwise, why else would he have chosen the exact time when the middle school children would finish school? It was purely to create convenience for him to escape.

Leanna picked up the luggage on the ground and handed it to Oscar. "Thanks, let's head back."

Oscar had just gotten word of Jethro's death not long ago, but this was the first time he had ever heard that Leanna was not the biological daughter of Jethro. Despite his raging curiosity, it clearly was not the right time for him to ask now. As such, he remained silent albeit full of questions.

On the way back, Leanna maintained her silence and leaned against the backseat while staring out of the window. She seemed to be lost in her thoughts.

Oscar was at a loss for words too. After all, she was not his wife, so he reckoned it was best to wait till Aidan returned and sort things out himself.

After some time, their car arrived at Leanna's residential area.

She retracted her gaze and nodded slightly to express her gratitude toward Oscar. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. Let me know if you need any further help."

Leanna revealed a courteous smile and opened the door to get out of the car.

As soon as she arrived home, Zoe instantly greeted her, "Nana, how did everything go? Did you manage to capture that man?"

Since Oscar went with Leanna, Zoe had been told to wait at home. Still, she managed to link some bits and pieces of the situation from the conversation between Oscar and Leanna in the afternoon.

Leanna shook her head. "He escaped."

"Escaped?" Zoe could not help frowning. "Aidan's friend doesn't seem too good at what he's doing! I thought he was confident before you guys left, but then he screwed up?"

"This isn't his fault." Leanna sat on the couch and stated wearily, "Zoe, Jethro… He's still alive…"

As soon as Zoe heard that, her eyes widened involuntarily. "Alive?"

She could not help looking at Leanna with a confused expression as she asked, "No, wait. Why did you suddenly bring up his name? Don't tell me that he's the one who sent you the extortion letter?"

Leanna had yet to reply when she heard Louis' cold voice ring out from the doorway. "Is he the one who threatened you?"

Leanna and Zoe turned in unison to look in that direction and Leanna was slightly shocked. "Louis, why are you…"

Suddenly, Leanna realized something as she turned to look at Zoe, who coughed guiltily and said, "It's the weekend and he came over to the studio to see you. That's why I mentioned this to him."

No one would have expected that Jethro was the one to send the extortion letter! This is bad!

Leanna turned to look at Louis once again and smiled at him. "Louis, I'm fine. The matter is resolved. Besides—"

"Has it been resolved?"

Before Leanna could finish her sentence, Louis interjected.

His expression was thunderous as the veins on his neck became prominent. He looked as if he was trying hard to contain his anger and it felt like he was going to lose his temper any minute now.

Leanna got up and walked over to him to tug on his arm. Subsequently, she spoke in a soft voice, "Louis, calm down. We both know how he is and he's purely after some money. He's currently in dire straits, so even if he was fortunate enough to escape, he would be recaptured soon enough."

However, Louis rebuked coldly, "He's like a vermin hiding in the gutters! There is no way he would appear in the public eye. How could he possibly be recaptured then?"

Leanna's mouth was agape and she suddenly sensed that something was not right about the situation. He seems to be unsurprised about the fact that Jethro is still alive.

She replied, "Louis, have you known that Jethro is alive all this while?"

Louis pursed his thin lips and paused for a few seconds before replying, "Previously, the DNA report on the cigarette butt found at the cemetery matched his."

Stunned, she immediately found that it was all within expectations. After all, there was no one else on earth that would visit Jethro's tombstone.