Only then did Cedrick spare a few glances at the steamed buns in Nico’s hands.
She was so angry just a while ago. Did she really allow Nico to sneak me some food?
“What was her reaction when you took the buns?”
Nico pondered for a moment before replying, “Well, she didn’t react in any particular way. I grabbed two steamed buns when they hadn’t started eating yet. Cedrick, please have some. You still need the energy to get your wife back.”
Cedrick finally accepted the buns, realizing that now was not a good time for him to be mad at Gwendolyn.
As Cedrick was having breakfast, Nico walked over to the stream and ran his fingers through the clear water. Breathing in the fresh air of the forest, he asked, “Cedrick, what’s your plan now? When are we bringing Gwendolyn back with us?”
Sitting on the rock like a king on his throne, Cedrick lowered his gaze and contemplated for a while. He thought of the note given to him by Joe, which contained clues provided by Joe, guiding him to investigate Charles’ whereabouts.
Joe clearly knew where Gwendolyn was, and he had deliberately lured Cedrick to where she was.
If Cedrick’s guesses were correct, Joe should make his move within the next two days.
Cedrick issued a firm command, “Prepare ten helicopters, assemble a special forces team, and ensure all firearms are ready. Inform Swain to establish a hiding spot in the nearby mountains and encircle this area. Also, conduct a thorough check for any other individuals hiding in the vicinity. If anyone attempts to sneak up the mountain, do not alert them. Allow them to pass unnoticed. Gwendolyn’s safety is the utmost priority for all personnel when the situation demands.”
Nico nodded. “Understood.”
Having arranged all that, Cedrick was ready to return to the cottage.
Knowing how much Gwendolyn disliked the smell of smoke on him, he asked Nico, “Sniff me. Do I still smell of smoke?”
Nico leaned closer and sniffed the collar of his shirt. “I’m not that sensitive to smoke, so I’m not sure, but I think the smell is gone.”
Cedrick frowned in annoyance when Nico got too close for his liking. Lifting his hand, he slapped the latter’s head away.
“Stay away.”
Wincing in pain, Nico rubbed his forehead. “Should I ask Swain to bring us some spare clothes? Who knows how many days we will be staying here? We should have some change of clothes.”
“That works.” Cedrick agreed with the plan. He sat back down on the rock, thinking of returning later so that Gwendolyn wouldn’t smell the smoke on him and give him another scolding.
Cedrick and Nico returned to the courtyard just before lunchtime.
Cedrick donned a crisp white shirt paired with a dark gray coat, which accentuated his imposing and dominant presence as he walked.
On the other hand, Nico looked gallant and heroic in his camouflage jacket, military boots, and pants, which added to his commanding aura.
As they strolled along the country path, their striking appearances resembled that of magazine cover models.
However, there was no sign of Gwendolyn in the house by the time they returned. Megan was the only one there.
They found out from Megan that Gwendolyn had gone to the field to pluck vegetables with Charles. Cedrick’s expression darkened considerably as he quickly headed to where Gwendolyn was.
Upon reaching the field, Cedrick saw two figures plucking vegetables from a distance.
Despite not being very close physically, Gwendolyn and Charles appeared to be engaged in a friendly conversation, exchanging laughter. The atmosphere around them was harmonious and pleasant.
Jealousy instantly surged through Cedrick’s veins, and Nico could almost immediately feel the cold and chilling aura emanating from him.
Tactfully, Nico took the initiative to approach Charles and say, “Charles, can you come over for a moment? I have something to say to you.”
Charles paused in his tracks and turned around slowly, sparing Nico and Cedrick a quick glance.
“Sure, I’ll come after I finish plucking the vegetables,” he replied.
Cedrick’s expression grew even darker when he heard that.
Nico swiftly leaped into the field and pulled Charles away. “It’s urgent. You need to come with me immediately. Someone else can handle your work, and you can’t pluck vegetables that don’t belong to you!” he said, his words carrying a subtle undertone.
Charles grimaced in pain as Nico forcefully dragged him away, for the latter’s movements had reignited the pain of his injuries all over his body. Weak from the excruciating pain, he could only allow Nico to take him away.
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