Nicole's next task was simply to wait.As the day turned to dusk, Nicole left the office to pick up Nolan and Lana with Jared. With Tia and Stanley busy with their wedding preparations, the couple decided to personally take care of picking up the children."Let's take the kids to the amusement park later," Nicole suggested to Jared."Sounds good," Jared replied softly, always happy to go along with her ideas.After picking up Nolan and Lana, Nicole told them as they got into the car, "We won't be going home just yet. How about we go to the amusement park to have some fun?""Yay!" Nolan and Lana agreed excitedly.Nicole smiled as she affectionately ruffled the kids' hair. They hadn't shielded Nolan and Lana from the events of the previous day. Although the kids didn't voice any concerns, Nicole sensed they might be feeling some stress.She believed in not hiding such matters from them, thinking it was better they were aware and could perhaps be more vigilant, especially since the
After a while, Max gradually slowed the car down.Nicole glanced through the rearview mirror, noting that the car that had been following them was no longer in pursuit.Upon reaching the Riddle residence, Nicole, along with Nolan and Lana, got out of the car first.Jared instructed Max, "Find out exactly what happened.""Yes," Max responded respectfully.After Max left to investigate, Jared went into the house.Knowing that Jared had sent Max to look into the matter, Nicole didn't inquire further. Instead, she and Jared took Nolan and Lana upstairs.The next day dawned bright and sunny.After dropping Nolan and Lana at the kindergarten, Jared's car drove away."Mr. Johnston, Mrs. Johnston, the people following us last night appear to be Lawrence's men," Max reported, frowning slightly."Lawrence!" Nicole expressed surprise. 'Why would Lawrence have his people follow us?'"Do you know what this is about?" Jared's voice carried a hint of coldness.Max hesitated before replyin
Lulu glanced at Nicole and lowered her voice, saying, "You look a bit off. Are you worried about Everett?""No." Nicole slightly curled her lips, choosing not to share the situation with Lawrence with Lulu, not wanting her to worry as well."Then, has there been any news from Everett?" Lulu frowned, noting how well Everett had hidden himself.Nicole sighed. "Still no news. I wonder how Patricia is doing?""Yeah, it's really frustrating not knowing what Everett is up to," Lulu complained.Nicole reassured her with a glance. "Patricia will inform us if there's any news.""I'm just worried about Patricia and Ellar," Lulu sighed, knowing that only by resolving the Everett issue would things settle down."Let's wait a bit longer," Nicole said, her eyes narrowing slightly."That's all we can do," Lulu sighed. With Everett remaining hidden, they were indeed powerless.****At BayCorp, Patricia placed a document on Ellar's desk."Thank you." After expressing her gratitude, Ellar loo
Soon, Patricia arrived at the location she had been forewarned about, yet Emma was nowhere to be seen."Hasn't she arrived yet?" Patricia frowned and inquired."This... we find it strange too. We've already sent someone to check." Just as Seth finished speaking, his phone rang.After he answered the call, his expression turned grave. "What?!"Patricia immediately took the phone away from him and pressed for details. "What happened?""We've been deceived. Doretta changed the meeting location at the last minute, and now both Emma and Doretta have vanished," the person on the line lamented."Go check." Patricia uttered two words coldly and then hung up the phone."What should we do now?" Seth was distressed that they had just lost track of them.Patricia felt a pang of panic but forced herself to remain calm; this was not the time to lose her composure.Fifteen minutes later, Patricia returned to Riddle Corporation.After hurrying into Nicole's office, she quickly relayed the si
"This isn't your fault." Ellar looked up at Patricia, his eyes serious. " But can you promise me that in the future, you won't hide dangerous situations from me?"This was about Doretta deceiving Emma, not a trap set for them. If it had been a trap, even if Patricia had gone, she might have already fallen into it, and both of them could have been in danger."We will find a way to rescue Mrs. Riddle, rest assured," Patricia consoled Ellar."Okay." Ellar nodded, his gaze falling on the phone.What Ellar hoped for now was that his phone would ring, bringing news from Everett. Even if it were a threat, it would be good news for him. As long as Everett was willing to negotiate, Emma would be safe for the time being. Ellar was prepared to give up everything to ensure Emma's safe return."Ellar!" The office door was suddenly pushed open, and Emery hurried in."Emery." Ellar, looking pale, acknowledged Emery, realizing from his expression that he was aware of the situation."Any news ye
Ellar was momentarily stunned, listening to the dial tone from the phone."What did he say?" everyone asked at once."He wants me to go to BayCorp's parking basement," Ellar replied, somewhat hesitantly."Then what are we waiting for? Let's go," Emery said, already moving to take Ellar with him. Dexter seemed eager to leave the hospital bed to join them."He asked me to come alone," Ellar said, torn.The room fell into a tense silence, the air thick with anxiety."You can't go alone," Patricia was the first to break the silence.Regardless, she decided to follow Ellar. She felt that him going alone wouldn't save Emma and could even put himself in danger."But if I take someone with me, Everett might not show up, or he might harm Mom," Ellar said anxiously. He was willing to risk his own safety if it could ensure Emma's."What do we do then? It's too dangerous for you to go alone," Lulu expressed her concern, highlighting the dilemma they faced."Let Ellar go alone. Give him w
"I'll ask Charlie to try, but it's unlikely. At best, he might be able to provide some backup," Nicole said.Everett was always careful, and it was already hard for Patricia to avoid their surveillance. If Charlie brought people with him, they would probably be found out."Having him back them up is still helpful," Lulu said, her eyes shining with a bit of hope, thinking it might reduce some of the danger.Nicole called Charlie, explained the situation, and told him to meet up with Patricia."Let's hope everything goes smoothly," Lulu prayed, watching Nicole put away her phone."Don't worry, everything will be fine," Nicole reassured, trying to comfort everyone, including herself.Outside the hospital, Ellar said, "Patricia, you need to make sure my mother stays safe, and you have to stay safe too." He held Patricia's hand, his gaze serious.Biting her lip, Patricia nodded. She replied, "Okay."After giving Patricia a long stare, Ellar let go of her hand and walked out of the h
Seeing Ellar's dilemma, Emma desperately shook her head, signaling for him not to give in to Everett's manipulation and not to sign the document.Even though she didn't know what it was, she understood it was definitely detrimental to Ellar.She didn't want Ellar to be compromised, nor did she want to see Ellar being controlled because of her."You'd better not make a fuss; it's better for you that way," Doretta whispered menacingly close.Emma, with eyes full of pain, looked at Doretta and said, "I shouldn't have taken you in."She had been so kind to Doretta, even considering her as a potential daughter-in-law, but Doretta betrayed them."Enough talk, shut up," Doretta warned."Bring her over," Everett commanded, and Doretta led Emma out of the car.Ellar's eyes instantly reddened, and he stepped forward to grasp Emma, asking, "Mom, are you okay?""I'm fine," Emma shook her head and held onto Ellar, insisting, "Do not sign the papers. Don't give in to him.""Huh? Do you thi