Free Web NovelChapter 487: That Belongs To Todd
Leaning on Michael’s chest, Wendy closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
She knew what was on his mind at the moment and said in an overcast tone, "It’s all in the past now. Once we get back to Lake City, we can put this behind us. Let’s start afresh."
"Okay." Michael stretched out his arms and embraced Wendy tightly so that there were no gaps between them.
The two hugged each other for a while. Then Michael smiled and said, "Alright, let’s go to Leah and Jake now. If we take too long, one will get scared and the other will get suspicious."
Wendy broke away from Michael’s embrace and nodded when she saw that his expression was more relaxed now.
Zess was waiting for them in the hall with the two children. Leah immediately ran to Wendy and Michael once she caught sight of them. Michael bent down to pick Leah up in his arms.
"Daddy, Mommy, you’re finally back." Leah still looked a bit anxious, but a smile gradually formed on her lips upon seeing them.
Leah glanced in the direction of the meeting lounge and did not find Todd. "Where is Uncle Todd?" she asked curiously.
Uncle Todd had been very nice to her before. Although she was taken aback when he pushed her earlier today, she believed that it was an accident.
"Uncle Todd is having his meal in the lounge," Michael replied.
"Then, aren’t we eating anymore?" Leah reached out and rubbed her belly. She was still feeling a little hungry as she hardly ate anything in the lounge earlier on.
"Let’s go to another restaurant. What does Leah want to eat? Daddy and Mommy will bring you there, okay?" Michael’s tone was very gentle, a stark contrast when he was beating Todd up in the lounge. He was trying his best to show his children the best side of him.
"Okay." Leah knew something was wrong even though she was just a child. She nodded and asked softly, "Daddy, Uncle Todd seems to be acting a little differently tonight."
Michael’s eyes shifted slightly. He felt that there was no need for the children to know the enmity between Todd, Wendy, and himself. They could keep the beautiful memories created with Todd.
Hence, Michael said, "He had too much to drink tonight. As you know, Leah, people act differently when they get drunk."
"Then, when Uncle Todd sober up, will things be the same as before?" Leah asked hopefully.
"Yes." Michael smiled and kissed Leah on the cheek. Changing the topic, he asked again, "What does Leah want to eat?"
"Can we have barbecue?" Leah asked with a grin.
"Of course." Michael nodded.
Wendy held Jake’s hand while he listened to the conversation between Michael and Leah. He knew that things could not be as simple as Michael had told Leah.
However, as a child, he did not probe further.
Michael took them to a barbecue restaurant. The family, including Zess, had a great time together. The episode involving Todd seemed to be a matter of the past now.
After the barbecue meal, they returned to the hotel. Michael and Wendy also returned to their room after bathing and coaxing the two children to sleep.
Michael hugged Wendy tightly. He could not help but recall what happened in the day, and his mood was a little heavy. Wendy’s face softened as she snuggled against his chest and listened to his heartbeat.
"It was such a long day, you must be exhausted now. Go to sleep." Michael lowered his head and kissed Wendy’s hair. He felt calmer after inhaling the scent of her hair.
"Good night." Wendy closed her eyes.
...
The next day, Wendy woke up without an alarm.
Since they were going back to Lake City by helicopter, there was no need to hurry.
She could wake up at any time, and they would leave afterward. However, Michael did not expect Wendy to wake up later than the two children and himself.
"Hasn’t Mommy woken up yet?" Leah asked.
Michael could not help but let out a coddling smile and said, "Mommy is too tired recently. Let her have a good rest."
"Then, are we really going back by helicopter?" Leah’s eyes lit up with anticipation.
"I have never taken a helicopter before!"
"Yes, we are." Michael nodded with a smile.
"When will Mommy wake up? Leah wants to take the helicopter right now!" Leah said. Children were always filled with anticipation and curiosity toward new things.
"Mommy..." Michael looked at the clock, which had just struck eleven. He had no idea when Wendy would wake up either. Hence, he simply said, "Probably soon."
Wendy seemed to sense that someone was urging her to wake up and finally got out of bed. When she opened her eyes, Michael was no longer in bed. This was not surprising, because he often woke up earlier than her. ƒrēewebnovel.com
However, she did not expect to see everyone up and about in the living room.
Michael, Leah, Jake, and Zess were all seated on the sofa and watching the television, obviously waiting for her to get up.
Wendy scratched her head in embarrassment and smiled meekly. "You are all awake."
"Mommy, you finally woke up!" Leah immediately jumped off the sofa and ran to Wendy. Then, she dashed to the bathroom and squeezed toothpaste on Wendy’s toothbrush. "Mommy, quick, come and wash up and have your breakfast."
Wendy’s smile widened when she saw how meticulous Leah was.
"We’re all packed up and will take the helicopter home after breakfast! We’re just waiting for you now."
’So she was just eager to head home, I see?’ Leah’s words made Wendy’s smile fade slightly.
They checked out of the hotel after breakfast. As the helipad was a distance away from the hotel, Mr. York came to pick them up with an executive van that could fit all six of them comfortably.
"Daddy, how long will it take to get to the helipad?" Leah asked excitedly.
"Soon, about half an hour." Michael turned his head to look at Leah, who was seated with her seat belt fastened, and answered with a smile.
"How big is the helicopter? Is it much smaller than the planes that I have taken before?"
"Yes, it is."
"Then will it be able to fit all of us?"
"Maybe not. Will Leah pass on the helicopter ride?"
"No, I want to be with Daddy, Mommy, and Jake!"
"I’m kidding. It can fit all of us."
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Leah was smiling and chatting throughout the car ride. Not only did Michael not find it annoying, but he also replied earnestly for every question she posed.
On the other hand, Mr. York was frowning slightly. From the rearview mirror, he saw that a car had been tailing them since they left the hotel. He became vigilant, but did not tell Michael at first as everyone was in the car.
He was afraid that Wendy would get worried while the two children would feel frightened. However, he realized that the car was still tailing them after a while and had no choice but to bring it up to Michael.
"Mr. Lucas, a car has been following us for some time," Mr. York said seriously.
Upon hearing that, Michael’s expression also became somber. He looked at the rearview mirror.
"That black Maybach," Mr. York added. It was easy for Michael to spot the car that was tailing them.
...
"This car has been tailing us since we left the hotel," Mr. York continued. "Mr. Lucas, what arrangements would you like me to make?"
Michael Lucas had brought along a hundred bodyguards on this trip, and they would be returning to Lake City with them. However, since they are still in Rheinsville, these bodyguards could be mobilized easily if he wished.
"Apart from the Maybach, are there any other cars or people following us?" Michael asked.
If it was just one car, it would be carrying three or five people at most. They would not be able to stir up much trouble even if they tried to.
"No, this was the only car I spotted for now," Mr. York replied.
Mr. York had strong anti-tracking abilities. Unless the other party was a top-notch snoop, it was safe to take his word for it.
Just one car? To be precise, Clement was the only foe they had in Rheinsville. Could it be Clement tailing them?
But that was not likely. Why would Clement bring so few people with him? Moreover, he should be the one avoiding them at the moment. As someone involved in criminal activities, would he dare to try anything so blatantly in broad daylight?
If it was not Clement, then who could it be? Timothy Woods? He was in a difficult situation himself. What could he possibly gain from following him?
’Todd?’ This name came to Michael’s mind. Pursing his lips, Michael said, "Get 10 bodyguards on standby."
"Got it, Mr. Lucas." Mr. York immediately dialed the bodyguards.
"Maybach?" Wendy frowned slightly when she heard it.
She shifted her gaze to the rearview mirror as well. The car looked all too familiar to her. She sighed and said, "That’s Todd’s car."
Wendy did not expect that Todd had turned up after all. She thought that after what happened last night, they would never see each other again.
"As I guessed," Wendy confirmed Michael’s assumption. He could not help but sneer, "He still has the face to show himself."
"It looks like he came alone. I don’t think he’s looking for trouble. Let’s just pretend we don’t know." Wendy sighed.
"He’s just asking for more beating as I was too easy on him last night." Michael sounded furious. Recalling the events that happened the previous night had enraged him.
"Forget it, Michael," Wendy said quietly. She tried to persuade him, "He can’t start anything on his own."
"If that’s true, then how do you explain last night?"
"He had too much to drink last night. Plus, he caught me by surprise. I won’t meet him alone today, so let’s just pretend we didn’t notice his presence." Wendy looked at Michael and stretched out her hand to hold his gently, trying to convince him.
"Mommy, is Uncle Todd here?" Leah asked curiously. "Is he here to send us off?"
Before Wendy could answer, Leah continued, "What happened to Uncle Todd last night? Why does Daddy seem to dislike him?"
Michael could not hold Leah in his arms as they were in the car. Hence, he tried to look at her as tenderly as possible and said, "It’s nothing. We will be at the helipad soon."
Leah had more questions in her mind. However, Jake interrupted her thoughts in time, "Leah, take a look outside. We don’t know when we can visit Rheinsville again."
Leah’s face wrinkled wistfully as she heard Jake’s words. Initially, she was excited to take the helicopter, but now she was a little reluctant to part with Rheinsville.
