Chapter 86
RAVEL
PRESENT TIME
Hazel’s continued avoidance of my calls was disheartening, and I eventually ceased my attempts to reach her. If she genuinely believed that I had any involvement in the complications that arose from her business dealings with Warren, it was clear that mending our relationship would be a formidable challenge. Perhaps, I pondered, it might not even be worth the effort.
To confront the underlying issues head-on, I decided to arrange a meeting with Warren. He couldn’t afford to decline my request if he intended to maintain our business collaboration. As I exited the elevator and strode toward his office, his secretary immediately sprang to her feet upon catching sight of me. “Mr. Warren has been eagerly anticipating your visit,” she informed me with a tone of urgency.
He’d better be ready to provide the response I’m hoping for, or else I could lose my composure.
Anticipation hung heavy in the air as I swung the door open, revealing Warren’s neatly arranged office. Warren himself, dressed in a crisp suit, rose to his feet upon my entrance, his face lighting up with a brilliant smile that conveyed both warmth and surprise. “Southwark!” he exclaimed, exuding cheerfulness. “What a delightful surprise to have you grace my office with your presence.” With a graceful gesture, he invited me to take a seat in one of the plush, leather chairs that adorned his office. “I trust Timothy has been successful in locating the object of your quest?”
Taking my time to settle into the inviting chair, I crossed one ankle over the other, an air of purpose about me. “That’s not the purpose of my visit,” I informed him, the smile on his face slowly fading as he too resumed his seat. “I’ve come here to seek clarity on your decision to sever business ties with Ms. Blacks.
His frown etched deeper lines on his forehead. “Mr. Southwark, I must insist that my business decisions remain my own concern,” he asserted firmly. Leaning back in his chair, he tilted his head inquisitively. “I’ve heard whispers that you and Ms. Blacks were once married and subsequently divorced.”
My gaze turned steely as I locked eyes with him. “And why, in the world, would that be any of your business?” I retorted, my frustration simmering beneath the surface.
He offered a nonchalant shrug. “Well, the same way my personal dealings with Ms. Blacks aren’t your concern.”
I couldn’t hold back my exasperation any longer. “It becomes my concern because whatever discord you have with Hazel is wreaking havoc on my relationship,” I admitted, trying to temper my frustration. It wasn’t his fault, and I didn’t want to lash out at the innocent bystander. “She’s convinced that I’m somehow involved in your decision to terminate your business ties with her.”
Warren raised an eyebrow, his expression resolute. “Then, Mr. Southwark, it’s simple. Just tell her the truth – that this has nothing to do with you,” he deadpanned, his tone unwavering.
My patience wore thin, and I couldn’t help but let my frustration seep into my words. “And do you think I haven’t done that?” I snapped, my voice no longer holding back. “I need you to call her and assure her that I’m not involved in whatever transpired between you two.”
His frown deepened, and he muttered stubbornly, “I won’t do that. My dealings with Ms. Blacks are strictly business, and I won’t entangle myself in your romantic troubles. If she can’t trust you when you tell her it’s not your doing, then perhaps you should reconsider that relationship.”
My frustration surged, and I ground my teeth. “Warren, you’re dangerously close to crossing a line here,” I warned through gritted teeth. If only Hazel would answer my calls. Should I consider taking a trip to Seattle? Maybe use Daisy as an excuse to get her to see me? Anything to sort this out. “Can you at least reconsider your decision regarding doing business with her?”
Warren shook his head resolutely. “I had my reasons for pulling out, and those reasons don’t simply vanish because you’re asking for a favor,” he replied, his lips moistening with a hint of regret. “I’m sorry, Mr. Southwark, but I can’t be of assistance
in this matter.”
Exasperated and feeling like this meeting had been a complete waste of time, I rose from the sofa and stormed out of his office. Climbing into my car, I started the engine but didn’t drive off just yet. Resting my head on the steering wheel, I took a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts and figure out how to resolve this mess.
As I sat in my car, contemplating the frustrating conversation with Warren, my phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket. I retrieved it and glanced at the caller ID, only to let the call go to voicemail when I saw it was Raymond who was dialing.
That ba stard had sent me a text just a few hours ago, announcing his resignation. I knew I hadn’t been the easiest boss to work for, but he wouldn’t quit just because of that, unless he had some solid business plan or other compelling reason.
My phone began to ring again, and in annoyance, I tossed it onto the passenger seat before pulling away from the curb. A few minutes into my drive, my phone came to life once more, this time with an unknown number displayed. Letting out a resigned sigh, I pulled over to the side of the road and answered the call. “Southwark. Who is this?” I demanded, my frustration lingering from the earlier encounter.
Raymond’s voice crac kled with frustration from the other end of the line. “What the hell, man?” he snapped, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the fact that he was using a different number to reach me. “Mrs, Anne and I have been trying to get hold of you for ages.”
I responded with a flat, deadpan tone, my irritation clear. “Mrs. Anne has quite the nerve trying to reach me,” I muttered under my breath. “What do you want, Raymond? I’m not in the mood to talk to anyone right now.” Well, anyone who isn’t Hazel, that is.
Raymond hissed in exasperation. “Get your head out of your a ss, man!” he retorted, his voice rising. “Not everything revolves around you and Hazel and your relationship drama.”
My patience was wearing thin, and I warned him curtly, “You’re on a short leash, Raymond. I might just hang up this call soon.”
“Eleanor was in an accident,” he disclosed, and my breath caught in my throat, my heart racing with fear. “She’s been seriously injured, Ravel, and she’s been in surgery for over an hour.”
My world suddenly shifted as Raymond’s words hit me like a ton of bricks. “Eleanor was in an accident?” I stammered, breath catching, heart pounding with fear. “And she’s in surgery for over an hour?”
my
With trembling fingers, I hastily turned on the ignition of my car. Panic was coursing through me as I gripped the steering wheel. “Which hospital?” I demanded, already pulling onto the road.
“Central Hospital,” Raymond replied urgently. “You need to put aside your anger and get your a ss over here. Eleanor urgently needs a blood transfusion, and you’re the only one with the same blood group as her. The hospital is struggling to find AB negative blood, which is why we’ve been trying to reach you for the past hour.”
My heart pounding, I slammed the accelerator, disregarding traffic rules as I raced down the road. “I’ll be there in no time,” I muttered through clenched teeth. Tears began to blur my vision, one after the other, until my eyes were brimming. With one hand, I wiped away the tears while keeping the other firmly on the wheel.
T
I arrived at the hospital with lightning speed, carelessly leaving my car running as I dashed into the building. Finding them wasn’t a challenge; the entire hospital seemed focused on ensuring that Elenor Southwark would pull through.
Anne spotted me first and rushed into my arms, her tears soaking into my chest. Raymond intervened, gently pulling her away. “He needs to go donate blood,” he insisted, his urgency mirroring my own.
Nodding, Anne let me go. I followed the doctor in and did the necessary tests before the blood was finally transfused. I was told to take
a rest in one of the wards, but I insisted on being close to Anne. She may have not have been the best mother, but Elenor was her favourite.
Walking back into the waiting area, I sat down on the seat and pulled Anne into a warm embrace. Raymond left to say a prayer for Elenor in the hospital chapel.
Whilst he prayed, I consoled Anne while we all hoped and prayed for a better and hopeful result.