Chapter 11 Her Neighbors
Finished
Estella gritted her teeth and said, “I think I sprained my ankle. Could you help me to the roadside to get a cab?”
“Where are you going? I’ll take you there.”
Seeing that she was badly injured, the man stepped forward to support her.
Without thinking much, Estella agreed. They went to the hospital.
Helen was full of guilt and kept apologizing.
Estella forced herself to stay calm and asked the hospital security to check the surveillance footage.
Before long, they found that Victoria had left the hospital at six in the evening.
Estella knew her mother’s memory was often confused, and finding her way back wouldn’t be easy. The thought made her even more anxious, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Noticing her tears, the man beside her handed her a tissue.
“Don’t worry. I have a friend at the police department, maybe they can help.”
Estella clung to his words like a lifeline. “I’d really appreciate that.”
The man took out his phone and dialed a number.
“Mr. William. I need a favor. A friend’s family member is missing. Yeah, got it…”
Turning to Estella, he asked in a calm, composed voice, “Do you have a photo of your mom?”
“Yes.” Estella quickly pulled out her phone and opened the pictures.
He told the person on the other end, “I’ll send it over shortly.”
Then, he ended the call and pulled up a WhatsApp QR code. “Can I add you on WhatsApp?”
Estella opened WhatsApp, scanned the code, and sent him the photo.
The man looked at his phone, typing a message to the person he had just contacted.
Estella glanced at his WhatsApp profile picture. It was a simple landscape photo. His display name read, “Luminary Partners & Co., Jonathan Bennett.”
She was momentarily surprised. She had heard of Luminary Partners & Co.
It was Javerton’s most prestigious law firm.
It was right across the street from Serenade Music Hub, where she worked.
No wonder he lives in the same complex, it’s probably for convenience.
After finishing his conversation, Jonathan turned to her. “Your foot seems injured. Do you want to get it checked while we’re here?”
Estella was worried about her mother, but she knew panicking wouldn’t help. If the police couldn’t find her, she certainly wouldn’t be able to either. She could only wait.
“Alright. Thank you.”
With Jonathan’s support, she went to the registration counter in the lobby.
There weren’t many people in line, and it was soon their turn.
When the two nurses at the desk saw Jonathan, their faces turned red. They exchanged a glance, silently understanding each other’s thoughts, Handsome guy.
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Chapter 11 Her Neighbors
Jonathan remained composed as he registered Estella and led her to a seat to wait.
Feeling a little embarrassed, Estella said, “Sorry for troubling you today.”
Finished
Jonathan opened his briefcase, took out his laptop, and started reviewing case files. Without looking up, he replied, “It’s no trouble. Neighbors should help each other.“,
Estella found it odd.
Neighbors? Does he mean we live in the same complex? Mr. Bennett is quite approachable.
After seeing the doctor and getting her medication, Jonathan said, “I’ll take you home first. If there’s any news about your mom, I’ll let you know on WhatsApp immediately.”
Estella nodded. “Alright.”
He drove her back to the complex.
Feeling a little guilty, she said, “I’ve already troubled you so much today. If it’s out of your way, I can walk back on my own.”
The medicine had started working, and her ankle didn’t hurt as much.
Jonathan remained composed, his deep voice as calm as ever. “It’s no trouble, Ms. Hayes. I live right next door, Block 32, Apartment 603.”
Having seen her social security card earlier, he now knew her name.
“What?” Estella was startled.
He’s actually my neighbor? How have I never seen him in the hallway before?
Jonathan clearly noticed her confusion and smiled slightly. “There are several times, when I got off work and came home, I walked right behind you, Ms. Hayes.”
Estella was surprised but didn’t say anything more.
The next morning, Helen called, saying the police had brought Victoria back.
She hurried to the hospital.
When she entered the ward, she saw Victoria lying on the bed.
Ignoring the pain in her ankle, she rushed forward and hugged Victoria, tears streaming down. “Mom, where did you go? I was so worried about you!”
Victoria looked at her in a daze.
Helen quickly explained, “The police said Madam Victoria went to Hediville Residence last night…”
Hediville Residence was the home Estella used to live in with her
parents.
A sharp pain rose in Estella’s heart.
Victoria asked in confusion, “Stella, why can’t I quite remember which building our home is in?”
She had searched for a long time in Hediville Residence but couldn’t find her house.
Estella soothed her. “Mom, our place is being renovated. Don’t go there for now, okay?”
Victoria trusted her completely. “Okay.”
Helen helped Victoria rest.
Estella rushed to work. On the way, she thought for a moment and sent Jonathan a WhatsApp message to thank him for his help.
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Chapter 11 Her Neighbors
More than an hour later, he finally replied, “Okay, as long as she’s back.”
Finished
Estella wanted to invite him to dinner to express her gratitude, but since they were neighbors, she figured she could invite him in person when they ran into each other. So she didn’t send another message.
But for the next week, she didn’t see her neighbor at all.
On Monday morning, Estella bought a cup of coffee and picked up one for her colleague, Lillian Kurt, as well.
She was surprised to find a bouquet of roses on her desk.
Lillian teased, “Did your boyfriend send them?”
After divorcing Nathaniel, Estella hadn’t had any male friends around. She couldn’t think of anyone who would send her flowers.
“No.” She checked to see if there was a card but found none.
Lillian saw that she genuinely didn’t know and became curious. “Could it be a secret admirer?”
Estella was a stunning beauty. Lillian figured she must have plenty of admirers and couldn’t help feeling a little envious.
Another colleague, Jocelyn Brooks, sneered, “Estella, you’re not fooling around with a student’s parent, are you? Everyone knows our clients are rich. Aren’t you afraid of the karma of being a homewrecker?”
Lillian tugged on Estella’s sleeve and whispered, “Ignore her. She’s desperate to marry rich but can’t, so now she’s just bitter at everyone else.”
Estella had to prepare for her next lesson plan, so she didn’t bother arguing with Jocelyn.
For the rest of the week, she kept receiving flowers from an unknown sender.
She was patient and didn’t call the flower shop to ask who sent them.
She figured that person would show up
soon enough.
As expected, on Friday night after work, she saw a black Rolls–Royce parked outside the institution’s entrance.
The window rolled down, revealing the person inside.
It was her student’s father.
Send Gifts
father.
$10
