Chapter 686

Aspen was in disbelief. After all, she thought Gordon was supposed to have already killed Andrew. Hence, there was no way Andrew could still be alive.

Aspen’s mind spiraled into chaos. Her breathing grew ragged, and her thoughts twisted in every possible direction. She even wondered if it were Andrew’s ghost, a vengeful spirit coming back from the grave.

Her trembling fingers fumbled for her phone as dread coiled tighter around her chest. She quickly called Gordon’s number, only to find that his phone had been turned off.

Aspen’s heart skipped a beat. She already knew it would not go through, but she kept dialing anyway – again and again.

She tried more than a dozen times, and each time, she was met with the same automated response that the number was unavailable.

Frustration exploded within her, and she screamed, “Gordon! What the hell is going on? Are you dead or alive? Can’t you give me a damn sign?”

The silence that followed was deafening. Nothing about this made sense. Andrew, who should have been rotting in the ground, was walking, talking, and answering phone calls. Meanwhile, Gordon had vanished without a trace.

Tears of fear and helplessness pricked her eyes. Her confidence, her bravado – everything was unraveling. As dread tightened its icy grip, one terrifying thought surfaced: ‘What if Andrew wasn’t killed? What if Gordon was the one who died instead?’

Aspen calmed down and immediately called Zephyr Stephens, the patriarch of the Bridgefields’ Stevens family. “Aspen? Well, well… what an unexpected surprise. What brings my rebellious little daughter to call me out of the blue?” Zephyr joked.

Aspen forced herself to swallow the rising panic. She could not just blurt out the truth. Zephyr would lose his mind if he found out Gordon had gone missing.

After all, Gordon was the family’s hidden ace, their invisible dagger in the shadows. His disappearance would be seen as Aspen’s catastrophic failure.

She plastered on her best fake smile and softened her voice. “Dad, I was just thinking about you. I had some free time and figured I’d call you to see how you’ve been.”

Zephyr laughed heartily. “Ah, Aspen, my precious girl. As long as you’re doing well in Jayrodale, I’m doing just fine. I’m glad Mr. Woods is helpful.”

Aspen’s heart was pounding hard, but she managed to sound as calm as possible. “Of course! You know me, Dad. I’ve laid a solid foundation here. The Stevens family will have no problem setting a solid foundation in Jayrodale.”

Zephyr praised, “That’s what I like to hear. You’ve achieved so much in such a short time. I’ve always said you were the sharpest of all my children.”

“Still, you shouldn’t let your guard down,” he said, his tone sharp. “Jayrodale isn’t our home turf. I heard from Mr. Woods that you’ve had a few setbacks there. Something about a kid named Andrew Lloyd giving you trouble?”

Aspen forced a cold, dismissive laugh. “Dad, he’s nothing more than a nobody. Mr. Woods already stepped in and handled it.”

Zephyr let out a snort. “Good. No one messes with my daughter or disrespects the Stevens family. If Bridgefields’ Stevens family is going to expand and establish dominance in Jayrodale, then we need to use force when necessary. So, you’re saying this Andrew is taken care of?”

Aspen squeezed out a stiff, hollow smile. “Yes, Dad. He’s long gone – reduced to dust. Nothing to worry about.”

Zephyr chuckled with satisfaction. “Good. Hearing that puts me at ease. You’ve handled the family’s business well, and I’m proud of you. Was there anything else, sweetheart? If not, I need to head into a meeting soon.”

Aspen swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice steady as she scrambled to come up with an excuse. “Actually, Dad, it’s about Mr. Woods. I’ve… temporarily lost contact with him.”

She added, “I was hoping you could use your authority as family head to track his location and send it to me.”

Zephyr did not question her story. “That sounds like Mr. Woods – he’s always been a lone wolf and hates anyone monitoring his movements. Alright, I’ll send you his location now. But when you find him, make sure to thank him properly for his work.”

“I will, Dad. Thanks. Bye.”

The moment the call ended, Aspen’s face twisted into a grim mask. Everyone back in Bridgefields thought she had made incredible strides in Jayrodale and was on her way to building a bright, prosperous future for the family.

Yet, in reality, she had burned through billions of family assets. The fortune she had brought with her had been squandered, piece by piece.

Not only that, but Gordon – her so-called ace in the hole – was also missing without a trace, his life or death unknown.

If Zephyr or the Stevens family council ever found out the truth, it would not matter how favored she was. The punishment would be swift and merciless.

As the head of the family, only Zephyr had the authority to track Gordon’s phone location. Soon, Aspen received the information.

She clenched her jaw and barked, “Bruce! Jackie! Get ready. We’re heading out to find Mr. Woods – now.”