Chapter 18: Midnight Calls
Fiona’s sudden change raised concerns for both Meredith and Justin, prompting them to follow her to find out more.
Exiting the cheese hotpot restaurant, Meredith spotted Fiona getting into a luxury car.
It was the driver hired by Terrence Sterling, exclusively tasked with chauffeuring Fiona.
“Hurry, Meredith,” Justin drove over.
Meredith got in the car and pointed ahead, “Follow that black Mercedes ahead.”
Justin hit the gas, catching up, “This Mercedes costs over three million, Fiona really found a wealthy boyfriend. But why is she hiding it from us? Afraid we’ll ask for money?”
Those who come into sudden wealth often distance themselves from family and friends, fearing being asked for money, so it’s not something that could not be understood.
“Who knows what she’s thinking,” Meredith muttered, “Keep up. Once we meet this mysterious boyfriend, we’ll know what’s going on.”
Following Fiona’s car, they gradually left the city and headed towards the wealthy residential area.
The further they went, the more familiar the road felt to Meredith, having been here only once during the day.
Casually, Meredith mentioned, “My boss also has a mansion around this place. If Fiona’s boyfriend can live in this area, he must be pretty powerful.”
Neighbors of Thornfield Gardens were either wealthy or in some significant political position.
Just when they were thinking, the car in front turned at a bend halfway up the mountain, where there were more twists and turns, with few vehicles.
Suddenly, Justin’s car stalled.
“What’s going on?” Meredith asked.
“I’ll check it out,” Justin got out, opened the hood, and inspected, “It’s broken down, can’t start.”
Meredith got out and glanced at the mountaintop, “Looks like we’ll have to leave it here for now. I’ll call for a tow truck.”
“No need, you wait in the car, it’s cold outside,” Justin said, “I’ll call a friend to pick you up first.”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
It wasn’t easy to get a taxi here.
Justin didn’t want Meredith to take a cab late at night either.
Just then, a car came up the mountain, headlights shining on them. Justin instinctively shielded Meredith at the side.
It was Terrence Sterling’s car, and Terrence was seated in the back.
As the headlights passed over them, the man in the car, Rick, quickly said to Terrence, “Mr. Sterling, the girl looks like Miss Florrick.”
The car had passed, but Terrence had indeed seen her.
Standing beside her was the man from yesterday outside the company.
Her fiance.
Rick muttered to himself, “Why is Miss Florrick up in the mountains so late? Is that her boyfriend beside her?”
The driver chuckled, teasing, “That small grove ahead, many young couples love to go there for excitement at night.”
Terrence remained silent, eyes closed, expression slightly cold.
Rick glanced at him, knowing his boss wasn’t interested in his subordinates’ private lives, so he kept quiet.
The car turned up the mountain and entered Thornfield Gardens. Terrence got out, and with a cool tone, asked Rick, “There seems to be an issue with the Westhaven Development project. Who’s following that project?”
Rick replied, “Miss Florrick.”
“Call her here, it’s urgent,” Terrence said before heading straight into the living room.
Rick was left a bit puzzled. The project wasn’t urgent; Mr. Sterling had actually praised the proposal during the day. Why were there suddenly problems?
But as a subordinate, he would obey his boss.
Rick quickly called Meredith, “Miss Florrick…”
Surprised by the late call for overtime, Meredith could only agree, “Okay, Mr. Shepard, I might be a bit late, it’s hard to get a taxi here.”
“No problem, John will pick you up,” Rick said, “I saw you on the mountain; you’re with your boyfriend, right?”
Meredith then realized why the passing car seemed familiar.
“Alright, Mr. Shepard, I’ll wait here for a while,” Meredith hung up and told Justin, “There’s an issue with the project I am following. They need it urgently. You go back first, and Mr. Shepard’s driver will pick me up. Thornfield Gardens is just up there, very close.”
Justin was puzzled, “This late? Going to your boss’s house?”
“Yeah, Mr. Shepard and the others are there. This project seems really important,” Meredith didn’t think much of it.
As a man, Justin knew too well what men were thinking. Meredith was beautiful, it was late at night, the male boss told her to work on a project at his home it naturally led to certain thoughts.
“Meredith, maybe you should tell your boss…”
Before Justin could finish, John arrived, “Miss Florrick, get in the car.”