Chapter 7

Aubrey had always been sensible and well-behaved, never failing to answer his calls without reason.

A nameless unease swelled in his heart. He drove to the Harrington family’s old residence.

In the old residential building, the Harrington door was tightly shut. After knocking for a long time, there was no response.

A neighboring elderly woman poked her head out and told Brandon, “Little Aubrey didn’t come home very late last night. I think I saw Daisy run out looking for her.”

“We couldn’t stop her. Daisy doesn’t know her way around. She hasn’t come back yet. She might be lost.”

“Thank you, I’ll go find them right away.”

Brandon’s heart sank. He was about to go search when his mother’s call came in.

“Brandon, get back here now! Aubrey’s sick, she has a high fever.”

Brandon immediately rushed back to the Hayes mansion. He saw me lying on the bed, my face pale, my body burning hot, mumbling incoherently.

Mrs. Hayes said coldly, “Where were you last night? Your wife has a high fever. The housekeeper called me for dinner and that's when I found her. She took medicine, but the fever hasn't gone down.”

“Aubrey!” Brandon gently scooped me up, his heart aching. “I’m taking you to the hospital right now.”

The doctor’s preliminary diagnosis was pneumonia caused by a high fever, requiring hospitalization for observation.

Serena, waking up early and not finding Brandon, had a vague bad feeling. Upon learning his whereabouts, she also rushed to the hospital.

I pushed open the hospital room door and saw Brandon leaning in to kiss me.

Serena’s heart tightened. Just as she was about to go in, I woke up.

I tried to sit up abruptly, but Brandon gently pushed me back onto the bed. “Don’t move, you’re still running a fever.”

I said urgently, “I’m in the hospital? I need to go back, my dad…”

Brandon softly soothed. “Aubrey, Daisy is missing, but don’t worry, I’ll go find her right away.”

“Brandon!”

Serena pretended to have just arrived. “Mr. Thompson woke up and said he wants to continue discussing the renewal.”

“No, find my dad first. He doesn’t know his way home…”

Calling the police would only deploy a few officers. In Brighton, only Hayes Enterprises could mobilize so many people during the critical window for searching.

I weakly clutched Brandon’s sleeve. “I can renew the contract for you. Brandon, please go find my dad….”

“You can renew it?”

Serena scoffed dismissively. “Aubrey, you don’t even have a steady job. How can you claim to be in charge of Harrington Corp, the richest family in the country?”

I sighed. “Brandon, I’m feverish and delirious. I thought I was the Harrington family’s eldest daughter. Little did I know, the Harringtons only have a son.”

Serena’s eyes looked at me as if I were a ridiculous clown. “Even if you’re going to impersonate, at least do your research first.”

I anxiously explained, “No, it’s not that. My dad did it to protect me…”

Serena interrupted me. “Alright, we didn’t say we wouldn’t help you look.”

“Brandon, you can just have your assistant handle this. Mr. Thompson is waiting for you.”

Serena continued to persuade. “This contract is very important to you. Think about that high-stakes performance agreement.”

Brandon hesitated for a moment. “Aubrey, I’ll send more people to look for Daisy. You rest first. I’ll let you know as soon as there’s news.”

He said, releasing me. I hastily clutched him. “Truly, I am Aubrey Harrington…”

“Enough, Aubrey, stop making a scene. Brandon has very important matters to attend to right now. It’s the same if his assistant goes.”

Serena forcefully pulled my hand away, dragging Brandon out. “Brandon, let’s go. That cognitively impaired girl probably just got lost. There are surveillance cameras everywhere, she’ll be found eventually.”

“Brandon Hayes!”

I watched Brandon’s resolute departing back, tears streaming down my face.

Aubrey, you need to wake up!

To him, you’re nothing but a tool.

I borrowed a phone from the nurse and was about to call Liam to hire people when an unexpected person entered the room.

“Aubrey.”

The man stood against the light, his silhouette perfect, his face exuding an aura of control, slowly emerging from the halo. Even though he was in a wheelchair, he lost none of his dignity and composure.

A man of transcendent grace, as if descended from the heavens.

Julian Thorne, my intended fiancé in the arranged marriage.

“Julian…” I uttered the name I hadn’t used in a long time.

“Aubrey, I’ve come to take you back to King’s Landing.”

Julian’s deep voice seemed to carry a magic that instantly brought tears to my eyes.

“I can’t go back yet!”

I skipped the pleasantries, speaking urgently. “Julian, my sister is missing. Can you—”

I briefly explained what had happened.

Julian listened, then, without a moment’s hesitation, made a call. “Immediately contact all private investigators and security companies in Brighton. Hire ten thousand people to conduct a carpet search of every corner of the city.”

After hanging up, he turned his gaze back to me. “Don’t worry. I’m here for you.”

My nose stung. Brandon’s indifference and deception had left me physically and emotionally drained.

Julian’s appearance now was like a lighthouse in a vast sea, bringing me hope and guidance.

“Thank you, Julian.” I looked at him gratefully.

Julian’s eyes, as calm as the sea, were filled with starlight. “Silly girl, what’s with the thanks? We’re…”

He paused, his long fingers gently caressing my burning forehead. “How did you get yourself into such a state?”

Our skin touched. Though the warmth was faint, I felt an inexplicable heat scorching me.

I awkwardly leaned back against the pillow, stammering, “I… I accidentally caught a cold.”

Julian saw the little girl’s earlobes flushed red, looking shy and timid. The corners of his lips curved slightly. He withdrew his hand and picked up the medical chart from the bedside table, flipping through it.

I secretly observed Julian. Three years had passed, but time seemed to have left no trace on his face. Instead, it had only added to his composed and reserved demeanor.