Ch. 346..350: Begging For A Reconciliation Chapter 346-350
Chapter 346 Internet Ghostwriters
Leah took a sip of coffee and sighed softly with her eyes pinned on the laptop. “I still find this overly strange, Serena.”
Finally, Serena stopped bustling around. She regarded Leah with a frown. “You think all this is too sudden?”
“Yeah. Have you forgotten that someone incited Donald to target us during our studio’s first commission? But a combination of factors later led to the success of our collaboration with him.” Leah wore a conflicted expression on her face.
To her, such a windfall was too fanciful.
I don’t think I’d be so lucky. Otherwise, Alfred wouldn’t have died back then.
At the thought of Alfred, the look in her eyes turned desolate. The constant guilt and pain from the depths of her heart tormented her greatly.
“All right, I’ll listen to you, then. Don’t allow your mind to wander anymore.” Glimpsing her expression, Serena knew that she was reminded of Alfred again and hastily stepped forward to comfort her.
Then, she handed Leah a completed design draft. “This is the design I sketched for Donald. What do you think about it?”
Right then, all she could do was divert the latter’s attention through work.
Aware of her concern, Leah forced a smile. “It’s okay. You can decide for yourself. I’ll turn down the clients on the internet first.”
Soon, they went about their respective tasks and started getting down to business.
When Leah saw the incessant stream of inquiries, her heart felt heavy.
If she were still unsure whether all these people were internet ghostwriters earlier, she had more or less gotten the answer then.
The same wording and phrases made it evident that the same person was behind them all.
“Could it be Anna?” Taking out her phone, she wanted to call Anna, only to abruptly remember that Serena had blacklisted the latter’s contact ages ago.
At the same time, Han’s warning a few days ago for her not to approach Anna again echoed in her ears.
Casting my mind back upon it now, he seems to have cautioned me out of kindness?
“Ms. White?” Donald’s rather loud greeting jolted Leah out of her thoughts.
His sudden appearance surprised her. “Why are you here, Mr. Harper? Does the design plan need revising?”
Donald’s gaze dimmed at her polite and distant tone, but in the next heartbeat, a smile reappeared on his face. “I merely dropped by to visit you, Ms. White. Honestly, I still hope to be friends with you one day.”
The dark look he sported the other day was all but gone, and his expression was utterly sincere at that moment. For a while, Leah could not quite surmise his true thoughts.
However, something occurred to her, and she asked, “If I remember correctly, Mr. Harper, your company is a digital media agency, right? Can I ask you for a favor?”
At once, Donald’s eyes lit up. “Sure! Just say the word.”
Having obtained his agreement, Leah turned the laptop screen to face him so that he could see the surge in commissions. “You have a lot of contact with digital media. Based on your experience, what does such an abrupt spike in commissions mean?”
At the sight of the droves of internet ghostwriters on the screen, Donald’s smile gradually faded. “Ms. White, someone is sabotaging your studio behind the scenes!”
While Leah was not surprised, her heart still sank. “Can you please help me find out the culprit behind this?”
“No problem! I’ll go back and deal with this right away!” Donald instantly vowed in all solemnity.
A near distance away, Serena clocked the interaction between them both. Slowly, her expression turned strange.
Only when Donald had left did she lean close to Leah with a disconcerted expression on her face. “Say, Sarah, is he in love with you?”
In a flash, Leah’s face went as black as thunder.
Verily, she wanted to pry open Serena’s brain to see what exactly was running through her mind.
Her silence only convinced Serena further. “He must have fallen in love with you at first sight that day. That’s why he's been pursuing you madly in the past few days. But at his current age, he can already be our father. No, he won’t do. That aside, he’s short and vile. No, no—”
Leah clapped a hand over Serena’s mouth, shutting her up. “Your conjecture is outrageous, Serena. He only wants to repay the debt of gratitude he owes me. Although I’m not sure about his motive either, I’m certain it isn’t romantic love.”
Speaking of that, Donald’s actions have indeed been abnormal. From the fact that he wanted to bed me that night, it’s clear that he’s inherently evil. Could he really be making an exception for me because I saved him back then?
Puzzlement showed on Serena’s face after her suspicion was nixed. “I found out that he’s involved in the underground circles and is seemingly a shady person. The only possibility I can think of for him to treat you so well is that he wants to take you for his mistress.”
Shawn, who had just stepped in the door, happened to overhear that remark. His expression promptly went cold.
I haven’t even resolved the issue of Han, yet another man wants to steal her away now?
He strode up to Leah, but the smile on his lips did not reach his eyes. “Sarah, someone like Donald undoubtedly has an ulterior motive in approaching you. Don’t trust him.”
“Indeed, it’s somewhat odd,” Leah concurred.
After all, no one could believe that an absolutely wicked person would suddenly turn into a decent individual.
Seeing that she appeared indifferent about Donald, Shawn breathed a sigh of relief. From his peripheral vision, he spotted the endless stream of internet ghostwriters popping up on her laptop screen. His lips curved upward a fraction.
“Sarah, I don’t have much work today, so I came over for a look. Do you need my help with anything?”
He had known when Anna made her move, but he did not stop her from hiring internet ghostwriters to sabotage the studio because he wanted Leah to depend on him.
“No, thanks,” Leah declined evenly.
Irritation crept into Shawn’s eyes, and his gaze turned gloomy. Sure enough, she’s still touched because Han saved Carlotta yesterday, huh? If I’d known that I could’ve won her over by doing so, I would’ve also set a fire while ensuring Carlotta’s safety!
In his opinion, all that was Han’s ploy.
He felt that it made no sense for such a coincidence whereby the house caught on fire on the heels of
him taking Carlotta away.
After a brief silence, he offered smilingly, “I heard that your house caught on fire, Sarah. How about staying at my place for the time being?”
A flicker of hope showed in his eyes as he looked forward to hearing the answer he wanted.
Leah’s expression remained unchanged. She merely flashed him a polite smile in return. “Thank you, but I’m fine staying at the studio.”
Just when Shawn was about to persuade her further, a silver-gray luxury car came to a stop in front of Dream Designs.
Han entered the studio with Carlotta in his arms, followed by two bodyguards.
As soon as he caught sight of Shawn, his unfathomable gaze abruptly turned icy and murderous.
Likewise, Shawn glared at him frostily and blocked his path. “Return my daughter to me.”
Ignoring him, Han placed Carlotta on the ground.
Carlotta greeted Shawn as “Uncle Shawn” sweetly before throwing herself at Leah. “Mommy! I asked Daddy to bring me here to visit you!”
Han’s lips turned up in joy from her address of him. Subsequently, he trained a chilly gaze on Shawn, who wore a dark look. “You claim that she’s your daughter, but why did she call you ‘uncle’?”
Chapter 347 Get Stronger
Following Han’s provocation, Shawn’s face stretched taut, and his expression turned glacial. “What has that got to do with you? Right now, Sarah is my wife in name. Or do you want to also get your hands on my wife and daughter while winning Anna over?”
When his words rang out, the temperature in the room plummeted.
A near distance away, Serena was wholly stupefied. She unconsciously muttered, “What kind of showdown is this?”
Undeniably, Sarah’s allure is truly astounding! I’ve already witnessed three suitors visiting and falling over themselves to impress her early in the morning!
Leah’s head started throbbing from the row between the two combative men. She took Carlotta to the room to play and left the space for them to talk things out.
The moment the door slammed shut, her gaze turned conflicted with Carlotta in her arms. “He’s going to take you back later, isn’t he, Carlotta?”
Since Han has already snatched her away from me, he naturally wouldn’t allow her to return to my side again so easily. The house I worked hard for is gone, and the child I cared for wholeheartedly has also been taken away. I’m so useless!
Ever since a life weighed on her conscience, her thoughts seemingly grew increasingly pessimistic.
Noticing her mother’s red-rimmed eyes, Carlotta hastily reached out in distress and wiped the tears that were still welling in them. “Mommy, if you don’t like me going there, I’ll beg him to allow me to stay by your side later!”
She was less than ten years old, but she was heartbreakingly sensible.
Leah flashed her a comforting smile. “It’s okay. I don’t mind as long as you’re happy, Carlotta.”
Han would never change his mind because of a few words from her after deciding on something. As long as he can protect her temporarily, I can personally take her back from him one day!
About half an hour later, a knock sounded at the door.
Upon seeing that it was Han when she opened the door, Leah instinctively frowned and shielded Carlotta behind her. “Is something the matter?”
Han couldn’t help sneering at her action, his gaze cold. “It’s time for me to take Carlotta back.”
If I were to tarry any longer, Owen and Anna’s men would realize that something is amiss.
“Protect her properly. Otherwise, I won’t forgive you for the rest of my life.” Leah shifted to the side. She appeared despondent, but determination glinted in her clear eyes.
Han merely took a long look at her. Before he finally left with Carlotta, he stated icily, “I hope you’d deal with such improper relationships next time. Otherwise, I won’t bring Carlotta here to meet a mother with loose morals.”
Leah’s face drained of all color, and an intense sense of helplessness engulfed her.
She knew that he was referring to Donald and Shawn.
Is he going to rob me of my freedom as well in the near future?
In the afternoon, Serena stared at Leah, who was entirely devoted to her work. She found the latter a tad strange.
“Aren’t you angry that Han is using Carlotta to blackmail you and restrict your freedom?”
Leah lifted her head from the design draft, upon which a vestige of sorrow flashed across her face. “There’s nothing I can do. I’m not his match at present. All I can do is get stronger.”
When I’m strong, my opinions will also hold more sway. Perhaps I’ll have the capability to protect those important to me at that time.
At that precise moment, the phone rang. It was a call from Donald.
“Ms. White, I’m really sorry, but I couldn’t find out the culprit behind the internet ghostwriters. However, I’ve specially arranged for a digital monitoring team to protect your studio. There’ll never again be such large-scale sabotage by internet ghostwriters in the future.”
Already very much satisfied with that, Leah thanked him gratefully. “Thank you, Mr. Harper. The design draft has been completed, so you can have a look at it.”
Donald exclaimed in surprise before he immediately replied, “Great! I’ll transfer you the rest of the payment right away. Also, I’ll come over to your studio tomorrow to discuss my next commission.”
Subsequently, the call was disconnected. As Leah placed it on loudspeaker earlier, Serena heard the whole conversation.
Frowning, she asked Leah solemnly, “Are you sure he isn’t interested in you?”
Words eluded Leah.
Meanwhile, Shawn was so livid after leaving Leah’s studio that he lost his temper and frightened all his subordinates to the core.
“What a bunch of useless idiots! Why didn’t you all realize it when Han took Carlotta away in broad daylight when you’re in charge of her safety?”
Breaking out in a cold sweat, the bodyguards explained, “The thing is, he brought a few men along and had them attack us before going upstairs alone. He wrapped her in his jacket and smuggled her out.”
When Shawn heard that, his temper spiked even further. He slapped the bodyguard leader across the face, his eyes blazing scarlet. “What a useless piece of trash!”
If it weren’t for the incident yesterday, Sarah’s perception of me would’ve changed!
At the side, his assistant swiftly suggested, “Why don’t we relaunch the plan to use Serena?”
Following that proposal, Shawn calmed down considerably. He mulled it over for a while with a dark look in his eyes before drawling, “Okay. But Han will definitely mess things up, so we must ensure that he has no time to pay attention to Sarah’s matters.”
His assistant was momentarily startled. Instantly cottoning on to his employer’s meaning, he grinned cryptically. “Understood. I’ll arrange for someone to target his projects at once.”
When the man had left, a derisive smile bloomed on Shawn’s face as he had finally gotten his revenge.
Han, do you think you can do as you please just because you’ve snagged some of Sarah’s attention? I successfully toppled you a few years ago, and I can still do the same this time!
It was late at night then. Anna’s face was as black as thunder since Han was not home yet despite the hour.
Chagrined in the first place because her plan to sabotage Leah’s studio by hiring internet ghostwriters failed, she was even more incensed at that moment.
Ringing Ben up, she demanded, “What is Ethan doing? Why isn’t he back yet?”
In the face of that question, Ben calmly recited the excuse that had been prepared in advance. “Ford Group is secretly attacking Boss’ projects, leading to some problems. Right now, he’s still working overtime at the office to handle the issues urgently. You should rest earlier, Ms. Lancaster. Boss might have to work through the night.”
The instant Anna heard that Han was merely working, her fury turned to distress. “Keep an eye on him and don’t let him tire himself out.”
After hanging up the phone, Ben, who was alone in the office, texted Han to report the present situation.
He wrote, “I’ve handled Ms. Lancaster, Boss. I’ll stay at the office to deal with Ford Group’s attack.”
Han put his phone down after reading the text message. Then, he lifted his eyes and regarded Leah in front of him with a cool expression on his face. “Did you come and seek me out voluntarily because you’ve finally figured out that it’s better to be my mistress than to keep those two useless men company?”
His deep and alluring voice dripped with scorn. A stab of pain struck Leah, but still, she mustered her courage and gave voice to the purpose of her visit.
“It’s about Alfred… Tell me where he’s buried. I want to go and visit him.”
Although he once warned me not to appear before Alfred and the others anymore, I can’t remain indifferent when even a heinous man like Donald knows how to be thankful to the person who saved his life.
Seeing that his importance to her couldn’t even compare to a deceased man, Han felt irritated for no apparent reason.
He tapped his long and slender fingers lightly against the expensive blackwood tabletop, his lips curving into a cold smile. “Don’t you think you’re pushing your luck?”
Chapter 348 Interest
“What right do you think you have to visit Alfred?”
It was a simple utterance, but it inexorably had tears well in Leah’s eyes. She parted her lips in a daze, not quite knowing what to say to that.
Well, he’s right. Alfred died because of me. How am I worthy of visiting him?
Without arguing further, she turned around and left in a trance. Her figure swayed slightly from the grief and guilt within her.
Her slender back tugged at Han’s heartstrings.
He stared at her retreating back icily for a long moment before springing to his feet irritably and striding after her.
By then, Leah had arrived at the side of her car. She was just about to drive back when a strong arm grabbed her.
Before she had even glanced back over her shoulder, the man’s familiar cold musk drifted into her nostrils. Her heart skipped a beat.
She snapped her head back, wholly oblivious to the fact that tears were still shimmering in her eyes. “What’s the matter?”
Her tearful gaze numbed Han all over. Frowning deeply, he dragged her to his luxurious car. “Follow me somewhere.”
In the dark night, the car sped along the road, its scarlet taillights glinting in the air.
While Leah was still bewildered, Han had already brought her to the riverside.
“Alfred’s ashes have been sent home. But he used to love this river and would come here whenever he was free. If you have anything to say to him, just do so here.”
For once, the usual indifference in his voice was nowhere to be found. In fact, it carried a vague hint of gentleness amidst the sounds of the lapping waves.
Leah was promptly stunned. In the next moment, her eyes turned red-rimmed, and she slowly headed toward the riverside.
“Alfred…” I’m sorry. This is all on me.
When Han noticed that she was still heading deeper into the river when both her legs were already submerged in the water, his pupils abruptly constricted. His heart felt as though a palm was squeezing it, the grip so tight that he could scarcely breathe.
He rushed forward and grabbed her. “Leah! I didn’t bring you here to die! You still owe me a great debt, yet you want to shirk your responsibility by taking your own life?”
In the autumn night, his bellow was particularly booming.
At that, Leah looked back at him in perplexity. “I wasn’t planning on committing suicide.”
However, Han did not believe that. With a chilly expression on his face, he roughly yanked her back to the shore. “If so, why did you walk into the river?”
Argh! If I’d known that she was up to this, I wouldn’t have brought her here.
It was the veritable truth that Leah had no intention of dying. Unfortunately, she found it difficult to explain it to the man.
After a lengthy silence, she answered vaguely, “I merely wanted to sober up for a bit.”
She wanted to wash her face and suppress her tears, for he was the only person she did not want bearing witness to her crying.
Alas, she could not control her tears in the face of everything about Alfred.
Han said nothing further, but his massive hand remained clamped around her delicate wrist.
As Leah gazed at his handsome profile and recalled his actions earlier, she was inevitably moved.
She ventured, “Were you… worried just now?”
No sooner had she said that than regret swamped her.
Ugh! Why did I have to ask such a foolish question? Didn’t he say that I still owed him money, so I
couldn’t die yet?
Before he could respond, she immediately changed her tune in embarrassment. “No, I mean, you were worried that I wouldn’t pay you back.”
It was pitch-dark by the riverside. Thanks to the illumination of the streetlights some distance away, Han perceived the crimson spots staining her cheeks. In a flash, his mood took a turn for the better.
He merely chuckled softly without replying to her. Throughout it all, his gaze lingered on her fair face, the desire within him gradually intensifying.
Like the finest wine in the world, his mellow laughter had Leah uncontrollably engrossed in it.
On the heels of that, she realized her gaffe. Hastily turning her eyes to the sparkling river surface, she composed herself.
Oh God, I actually got hypnotized by his laughter. How ridiculous!
There were many things she wanted to say to Alfred, but she could only keep a lid on them since Han was right beside her.
After deciding to come by herself next time, she took her leave from the man. “Thank you for bringing me here. I’ll be leaving first tonight.”
Just when she had pivoted, Han pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.
“I can’t wait for you to pay me back the money anymore, Leah…” His voice was hoarse, tinged with a
trace of an unknown emotion.
Forced to meet his unfathomable eyes, she felt as though they were drawing her in entirely.
His temperature that was running increasingly higher flustered her, and she struggled to break free from his embrace. “I’ll figure out a way to raise the money for you first tomorrow. You—"
Before she had finished speaking, Han captured her lips.
The next day, Leah dragged her weary self to the office. As soon as she sat down, she couldn’t help remembering Han’s kiss.
She bit her lip with a conflicted look on her face, still unable to digest the fact that such was the interest mentioned by the latter.
“Good morning, Sarah! Have you seen the news?” Serena’s thrilled voice rang out.
Jolted out of her thoughts, Leah asked in puzzlement, “What news?”
While speaking, she took her phone out.
At once, she was greeted by the sight of a hashtag on the trending searches that read, “Dream Designs is phenomenal.”
The eye-catching title instantly took her aback. “Why are we on the trending searches again?”
Tapping on the news article and reading it in detail, she found out that it had to do with a promotional post about Donald’s collaboration with her, attached with a picture of the finished design.
Under Donald’s manipulations, Dream Designs’ design drawings were soon presented to the public and received great acclaim.
One of the commenters wrote, “Does such a design truly exist? Where’s the link? I want to place a commission!”
Another replied, “Don’t fight with me. I heard that the owner of the studio is a beauty! I want her!”
Leah and Serena were reading the comments together when a commotion sounded at the door.
“Here’s the studio! This is great! We’ve finally found it!” The raucous discussion drew increasingly nearer.
Leah froze imperceptibly. “They’ve come knocking on our door so quickly?”
Although it was a good thing to have commissions, she found it challenging to handle such a large- scale surge.
For the entire day, Leah and Serena were both so busy that they did not even have time to eat, occupied with receiving clients.
Only when evening fell did the constant stream of people gradually taper.
After seeing the last client off, Leah slumped on the chair wearily. “It’s over at long last.”
Serena happily presented the commissioning form in front of Leah with excitement etched across her features. “There’s already a one-month waiting list for our commissions!”
Even then, Leah felt as though she was dreaming.
Staring at the clients’ commissioning forms blankly, she mumbled, “Is this for real?”’
Do I really have such luck to encounter a windfall? And is Donald truly sincere about repaying the debt of gratitude he owes me?
Just as she was mulling it over, she received a call from Donald.
“Have you seen the promotional post I published for you, Ms. White? I think a talent like you shouldn’t be buried and can’t stand the thought of your studio having no commissions, so I arbitrarily bought a spot on the trending searches for you. I hope you don’t mind!”
Leah was silent briefly before she thanked him. “Of course not. Thank you.”
Thanks to his promotional post, I’ll be able to repay Han earlier!
Just when she thought that things would continue developing positively, another post about her shot to the top of the trending searches that very night itself.
It read, “The owner of Dream Designs has a promiscuous private life, meeting multiple mans a night!”
Beneath the post, a commenter wrote, “Whoa! What have I just seen? That was a total eyesore! I didn’t expect such a thing to still exist in this age!”
Chapter 349 Futile
In the middle of the night, the negative trending searches about Leah spread like wildfire, prompting her fall from heaven to hell.
Commenters came down on her with abusive and crude insults.
Oftentimes, such was life. Just when one enjoyed a hint of bliss, they would have to pay the interest for it manyfold.
Right after Leah had stepped into the bathroom, she heard the incessant ringing of the office landline and her personal phone. Having no other choice, she could only shower hurriedly.
The first call she answered was from Serena. “What’s wrong?”
Right then, she was still oblivious to the comments on the internet.
Serena was utterly panicked. “Sarah, someone deliberately fabricated a scandal about you and Donald as well as other Photoshopped men!”
Shocked, Leah hastily tapped open Twitter.
By then, the negative trending searches about her had multiplied by a few.
One of the hashtags read, “The once-renowned jewelry designer, Cindy, is a mistress.”
A barrage of insults followed, reading, “Gosh, this woman used to have countless scandals in the past but Mr. Howard suppressed them with the charity incident back then. Sure enough, she hasn’t changed!”
“A sl*t is always a sl*t, never amounting to anything good! All she can do is strike up such shameful deals behind the scenes!”
“Just die! I’m sick at the sight of a heinous mistress like you!”
Leah did not continue reading the negative comments after that. She locked her phone, her pupils quivering imperceptibly.
This time, I purposely avoided the name Cindy when I established this studio, merely introducing myself as Ms. White. Neither had I ever revealed my identity before the media. I never thought that someone could still unearth this past identity of mine. Who exactly is it who hates me so much?
After she had hung up the phone with Serena, she promptly received a call from Donald.
The instant the call was connected, the man’s rough voice rang out, colored with urgency. “I’m sorry, Ms. White. I’m already trying my best to suppress the trending searches this time, but the culprit behind this is too powerful. A small and medium-sized company like mine is of no use at all! This is on me for promoting your work arbitrarily! The popularity of your studio must have sparked the envy of those in the industry, leading to them defaming you desperately!”
Leah was skeptical about his innocence. Frowning slightly, she replied, “It’s okay. I’ll hire a lawyer.”
Donald had transferred her the remaining payment of seventy-five thousand yesterday. Coupled with the deposit of forty-five thousand, she could afford to hire a lawyer to protect her rights.
Still, Donald felt exceedingly guilty. “I’m really sorry. This matter came about because of me, so I’ll pay the lawyer fees. I’ll continue making arrangements to remove the trending searches. Have a good rest. I’ll do my best to resolve this matter for you before dawn.”
When the disconnect tone sounded from the phone, Leah wore a conflicted expression on her face.
Judging from his sincere voice just now, he doesn’t seem to be the kind of person who’d secretly sabotage me. Could it be that he only wants to repay the debt of gratitude he owes me?
“This is the studio! Let’s destroy it!” Out of the blue, a few flashes of flashlight beams manifested outside the studio. On the heels of that, fierce voices split the air.
Bang! A glass bottle was smashed against the roller shutter door before it shattered into smithereens. The sharp and piercing sound broke the silence in the night.
Sheer panic swamped Leah as she listened to the group of boorish men’s voices outside. From the sounds of it, they were smashing things against the door, seemingly attempting to break in.
Several loud bangs rang out in succession. In her helplessness, her eyes turned red-rimmed. Trembling, she picked up her phone and called the police.
They’ve ruined the house I bought after much scrimping and saving, and they’re now targeting my studio that has finally started getting off the ground?
At that moment, she was beyond glad that Carlotta was not there.
Speaking of that, I’ve got to thank Han.
Subsequent to her call, the police arrived within ten minutes.
The ruffians were laughing uproariously as they smashed the roller shutter door. When the police arrived, they had just forcibly detached the door.
After arresting the ruffians, the police inquired after Leah. “Are you okay, Ms. White?”
“I’m fine, thank you.” While thanking the police, Leah lodged another report, saying, “Officer, can you please help to handle the matter of me being slandered and defamed online, leading to severe damage to my reputation?”
“Sure. In that case, follow us back to the police station with the evidence of slander to file a report.”
Leah changed into a formal suit before going to the police station with the police officers with her laptop in her arms.
Upon arriving at the police station, the police swiftly collected evidence of the current negative public opinion about her on the internet, jotting down some accounts that shared the libelous rumors and gained a certain degree of popularity. With that, the initial report was filed.
As she waited for the follow-up procedures, she was given permission to observe the interrogation of the ruffians who vandalized her studio.
“What is your motive?”
The ruffians were not the least bit perturbed by the police. Instead, they glared at Leah disdainfully. “We simply disapprove of this sl*t who seduced someone else’s fiancé. How shameless—”
“Shut up! It’s the police station here, so watch your tongue!” The police officer cut them off sharply.
Following that roar, the contempt on the ruffians’ faces intensified. “Whatever you say. Anyway, someone will be coming over to bail us out very soon.”
Leah’s eyes darkened, for she discerned that they were under someone’s orders. “Who instructed you to do such a thing?”
Not in the mood to entertain her, the ruffians merely rolled their eyes.
The police officer threw Leah a reassuring look before helping her repeat the question earlier. “Who are the lot of you working for?”
Before the ruffians could answer, another police officer stepped forward and interrupted the interrogation. “Captain, someone is here to bail them out.”
As soon as bail was posted, the ruffians cackled and climbed into the car with the person who came to pick them up before leaving.
Leah was momentarily stunned. She quickly sprinted out, but she was only in time to see the car speeding off.
However, she still managed to catch a glimpse of the license plate in that fleeting second. Such shock inundated her that her pupils abruptly constricted, and her eyes gradually filled with tears.
That car belongs to Han’s assistant, Ben… Is Han really the culprit behind this? Ah, this is his so-called revenge and interest. He wants to redeem all the pain and humiliation he once suffered at my hands.
For the sake of her safety and to facilitate the follow-up investigation, Leah stayed at the police station the entire night to assist in the investigation.
The next morning, when the investigation had wrapped up, she bowed and thanked the police officers. “Thank you for working all night to help me file a report and investigate the matter, officers.”
Smiling, the police captain reassured, “It’s okay. That’s our responsibility. We’ll arrest those slanderers as soon as possible. Go back and have a good rest.”
No sooner had Leah left the police station than she bumped into Shawn and Serena, who came to pick her up.
The instant Serena spotted Leah, she rushed over and hugged the latter. “Are you okay, Sarah? I almost had a heart attack when I arrived early in the morning and saw the mess that was the studio’s door! Fortunately, Mr. Shawn said he found out that you’re at the police station.”
Stepping forward, Shawn likewise expressed his concern. “Let’s go, Sarah. I’ll bring you back to my place to stay for the time being, for it’s too dangerous these few days.”
While speaking, he moved to take Leah’s hand, but Leah surreptitiously dodged.
Exhaustion was written all over her lovely eyes, yet she forced a polite smile. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll just stay at the studio. The police have promised to patrol around the area these few days.”
Since it’s Han making a move against me, it would be futile for me to hide anywhere.
Chapter 350 Don’t Even Think About Leaving
Leah returned to the studio and hired someone to reinstall the roller shutter door and clean up the mess in front of the studio.
Everything seemed to return to normal, but she did not feel relieved.
Carlotta was still with Han. Although he promised Leah he would not hurt Carlotta, Leah was still worried.
So, Leah found Serena. "Serena, I want to pick up Carlotta from Han. Can you help me think of a place for Carlotta to hide in advance?"
Serena glanced at Shawn, who was waiting in the office. "Isn't it more straightforward to ask him to protect Carlotta?"
Judging from this period of getting along, Shawn seemed reliable.
"No, I only believe in you." Leah shook her head with complicated eyes. Only she knew that Shawn's place was not safe too.
The incident this time gave Leah a good reminder. Although Shawn had been good to her these two years, he might change his mind one day and return to what he used to be.
Serena did not continue to persuade Leah, then agreed to her request. "Okay, I'll arrange for someone to help you to hide from Han."
After Serena left, Shawn came to Leah. "I'm already suppressing public opinion. Sarah, I've also found who dealt with you behind your back."
Leah looked up at him blankly. "Who is it?"
Her heart was beating heavily, and her palms were slightly sweating.
Shawn told the answer she guessed, "It was Han. He manipulated everything behind the scenes. I don't know if you believe me and the evidence."
He took out his mobile phone and handed it to Leah, which contained the investigation report of his subordinates, and all the clues pointed to Han.
It was Han. Leah was about to cry, and a surging chill spread over her body.
Han could not wait to see her suffer.
"Sarah, it's fine. I'll be with you." Shawn gently embraced her slender shoulders, and when Leah was unaware, he showed a meaningful smile.
After a moment, Leah left his embrace. She took a deep breath to adjust her emotions. But her face was still tense, and her eyes were full of worry. "I want to rescue Carlotta."
Han had already begun to exact revenge on her. She could not let Carlotta with him anymore.
Shawn suppressed the joy in his heart and said calmly, "Do you want my help? After you rescue Carlotta, Han won't let you go easily. You should go back to my villa."
Leah frowned slightly. She neither agreed nor refused. "Just help me stop Han back to his villa."
She knew that if she wanted to rescue Carlotta, she needed Shawn to help her.
Shawn immediately agreed to Leah. "Okay, I'll ask Han to meet and discuss cooperation. In addition, I'll arrange for a few bodyguards to go with you to rescue Carlotta!"
On the way back, Shawn could not help but laugh while sitting in the car. His eyes were full of crazy pride.
"Han, you think you can fight with me? No matter how many times you come back and how powerful your status is, I can defeat you countless times! Sarah and Carlotta are mine!"
The assistant in the front passenger looked at the distorted Shawn through the rearview mirror and smiled meaningfully. He congratulated Shawn, "Congratulations, Mr. Ford. You finally alienate Ms. White and Han."
"Thanks to the public opinion created by Anna this time. We can get such great results with just a little effort."
Near noon, public opinion gradually subsided.
Ben came to Han's study to report. "Boss, before we deal with the public opinion, the Ford family has already settled it."
Han suddenly looked cold. "Sure enough, if we want to hide from Owen, our efficiency in clearing up public opinion will be much slower."
He pursed his lips tightly, and a hint of anger was quietly brewing in his eyes.
Leah is still in touch with Shawn!
Han asked, "Have you found the mastermind this time?"
Ben frowned with a complicated expression. "It's Ms. Lancaster..."
Buzz! Before Ben could finish speaking, a text message came to Han's phone.
Shawn asked Han out this afternoon to talk about the project. Han agreed with it.
Although the public opinion on Leah's side had calmed down, many people were still coming to her studio to ask questions, which seriously affected her work efficiency.
"Serena, anyway, I've been confirmed a few uncancelled orders. We can close the studio for some time to avoid those people."
Leah informed Serena that the studio was closed during this time and Serena could rest at home.
It happened that Leah could also take advantage of these few days to bring Carlotta back from Han.
The moment the rolling shutter door closed, the world suddenly became quiet. Leah heaved a sigh of relief and returned to the lounge upstairs. She lay weakly on the soft bed.
She temporarily emptied everything in her mind and fell asleep. Until the afternoon, Shawn's phone woke her up.
"Sarah, Han will come to discuss the project with me in an hour. You can take this opportunity to rescue Carlotta. I've already arranged for the bodyguards to wait outside your studio."
Hearing the news, Leah suddenly became excited. She hurriedly got up and changed into casual and light sportswear. Then, she tied her soft hair into a high ponytail.
After changing her clothes, she went downstairs and exchanged contact information with the bodyguard leader, then briefly discussed a plan of action.
On the way to Han's private villa, Leah turned her head and looked at the yellowing leaves outside the car window. Her clear eyes were full of tenacity.
Leah would do whatever it took to protect Carlotta. Even if it would annoy Han and make him take revenge on her, Leah was not afraid. As long as Carlotta was fine, Leah was at ease.
Not long after, they parked the car outside the community. As Leah had Han's permission, the security guard knew her and let her in.
After Leah entered the community, she did not go to the villa but quietly went to the room with the main power switch. Soon, she cut off the power when no one was paying attention to her.
In an instant, there was no electricity in the community. After receiving Leah's command, the bodyguards dispatched one to divert the security guard's attention at the entrance while the others slipped in quietly.
They followed Leah to Han's villa and successfully met Carlotta.
"Mommy! Why are you here? Daddy said you won't come today!" Carlotta giggled when Leah hugged her.
After a few days, Carlotta's chubby face looked better than before, and she seemed well.
At this moment, Leah hesitated. She was somewhat aware of Han's character. Since he said he would not do anything to Carlotta, he should not backtrack.
Is it necessary to let Carlotta flee with me and get involved in Han's hunt down and revenge?
"What's wrong? Ms. White, let's go now!" The bodyguard leader saw Leah in a daze and urged her anxiously.
Before Leah could answer, a cold female voice came from outside the room. "Don't even think about leaving!"