Meanwhile, in Jamesdon, Aidan stood emotionless by the window and gazed at the distant river scene.
He had been here for two days, yet Lachlan never showed up.
Jonathan came in and said, "President Pearson, I've received word that Lachlan will attend a banquet tonight. Your invitation will be delivered shortly."
Aidan made a nod of acknowledgment. "Still no word from Oscar?"
Jonathan shook his head. Since their arrival in Jamesdon, they had lost contact with Oscar.
He answered, "I've sent someone to search for him. There should be some news soon."
Aidan's tone was faint. "There's no need to search anymore."
Everything that had happened up to this point had indicated that something was amiss.
Jonathan nodded. "I'll get your clothes ready for tonight's banquet."
Aidan averted his gaze and took out his phone, only to discover that the battery had gone out some time ago. He turned around and went to charge his phone. Once he turned on the phone, he discovered Leanna had called him several times.
He returned the call, but her phone was off, which caused him to frown.
At this moment, Jonathan pushed open the door in a hurry. "President Pearson, Keaton called just now and informed me that Madam and the young master had been abducted."
Aidan's expression became serious as his long fingers clenched his phone. "Who did it?"
"It shouldn't be Mrs. Pearson's people." Jonathan hesitated before continuing, "Besides, Keaton stated that Freddie was the one who sent her people away. Moreover, President Woodley's men temporarily held them up."
Keaton didn't suspect Oscar's people at all, and it wasn't until Leanna went missing that he realized there was a problem.
Aidan pursued his thin lips slightly while his frigid features were shrouded in a layer of chill.
After a while, his thin lips raised slightly to spit out the name coldly. "Oscar."
Jonathan tentatively asked, "Are we still going to the banquet or back to Highside?"
"We're attending the banquet." Aidan placed his phone down and replied with a cold tone. "How else will we know what they're up to if we don't show up?"
8.00PM.
As the late Old Mr. Kian Woodley's favorite junior, Charlotte Woodley's twentieth birthday celebration was unprecedented and magnificent. Not only were celebrities from all areas of life invited to the banquet, but media reporters were also invited to assemble at the entrance.
The birthday banquet's entrance was comparable to a celebrity red carpet.
The area outside the event hall was glamorous as camera lights flashed non-stop.
Just as the reporters were busy snapping photos, they suddenly noticed an unfamiliar figure emerge from a black Maybach.
The crowd started murmuring, "Who is this guy? Why haven't I seen him before?"
"I'm not sure. From the looks of it, he doesn't appear to be from Jamesdon, does he?"
"Hey, wait a minute. Is he from the Pearson Group?"
"The Pearson Group? You mean the Pearson Group from Highside? Why is he here?"
"That's unbelievable! Miss Woodley must be really influential. The Pearson Group's president came from Highside to personally attend her birthday banquet."
"You don't understand. Miss Woodley is the princess of Jamesdon. Apart from Mr. Pearson, the other guests at her birthday party are also quite influential. Besides, what's the big deal with the Pearson Group? The Woodleys might not even take the Pearson Group seriously."
"Come on, man, that's a bit much. Since he took over the Pearson Group, he has been known for his swift and decisive actions. He is not only prominent nationally but also in all of the continent."
"Hmph, that's because the Woodley Family keeps a low profile. Don't you remember the rumors? The Woodleys can't leave Jamesdon. Otherwise, no one else will be able to compete with them if they ever expand."
"Sorry to interrupt, but are you talking about President Pearson, who went viral a while ago by publicly playing guitar and confessing his love?"
The crowd went silent.
Now that someone mentioned it, they found it hard to link Aidan, someone with such an aloof demeanor, with the man doing those lovey-dovey things in the video.
After Aidan entered the birthday banquet, the journalists went quiet.
Aidan turned his head to look at Jonathan, who took half a step back.
Jonathan felt a chill run down his spine. He was in a hurry and only managed to find out that Lachlan would attend a banquet tonight, but he had no idea it was actually a birthday banquet.
Not only was it a birthday banquet, but it was also a birthday banquet for a young woman.
If this news reached Highside and those media outlets started making up stories, who knew what kind of scandalous news it would turn into?
In a leisurely manner, Aidan said, "If I meet Lachlan here, we'll consider this matter settled, but if I don't..."
He didn't finish the rest of his sentence, but Jonathan could already guess it—Then, you're done for.
Jonathan stepped back again to keep a safe distance.
Aidan retracted his attention and walked inside.
The venue was decorated in a girlish style as the theme was pink. It looked like a gigantic castle with lots of balloons and bubbles everywhere.
After walking a few steps, Aidan was approached by a girl in a white princess dress. Standing in front of him, the girl blinked. "I heard someone from Highside came. Is it you?"
Aidan turned sideways and looked at Jonathan while raising his chin slightly. "It's him."
Jonathan was speechless at how Aidan framed him.
Charlotte pouted. "Come on. He's not as good-looking as you."
"I agree with you, but I'm actually here to find someone. Would you mind letting me through?"
She said, "Whom are you looking for? I know everyone here. I can help you find them."
Looking at her, Aidan said the name slowly after a few seconds, "Lachlan Woodley."
A little surprised, she looked at him for a moment. "Why are you looking for him? He's not a good person."
"I have business with him."
Pondering for a moment, Charlotte extended her hand to him.
Aidan asked, "What?"
"My birthday gift. You came to my birthday party and didn't even prepare a gift for me?"
With a nonchalant tone, he replied, "I'm just here as his companion. You should ask him for the gift."
Jonathan was left speechless again. Me again?
Patting through his pockets, Jonathan found that he had only a cell phone and some tissues.
Charlotte pouted. She reached and took off Aidan's brooch. Waving it at him, she smiled and said, "Well, you can give me this."
Aidan's brow scrunched up a little, but he didn't say anything.
She held the brooch in her palm. "You still want to look for him? Come with me."
He glanced at Jonathan, who immediately understood and turned to go elsewhere.
Along the way, quite a few people greeted Charlotte, "Happy birthday, Charlotte."
Charlotte was all smiles. "Thank you."
Following behind her, Aidan asked, "Who is Lachlan to you?"
"Him? According to our family hierarchy, I should address him as an elder." As Charlotte said, she sneered. "But he's disrespectful to his elders and even wants to marry me."
Such information about Lachlan left him speechless.
Then, she continued, "Don't worry, I won't marry him. I will firmly resist his evil influence."
Aidan was puzzled by her promise. "Why should I be worried?"
Charlotte turned to him. "You came all the way from Highside to attend my birthday banquet. Isn't it because you like me?"
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