Deceiving Her Ears: Ignoring Your Call-Chapter 68: Turning Point Countdown 3: To the Airport
Late at night.
Isaac Vaughn drove straight to Mount Corvix.
Before seeing Natalie, he was invited into the study first.
He hadn’t been in the study long when Sebastian Beckett strode in, grunting.
"Kid, what are you doing here in the middle of the night again?"
"I want to see Natalie." Isaac took two steps up to Sebastian, his tone respectful yet earnest.
"That girl isn’t here." Sebastian said, "She went back to the Beckett family this afternoon."
Isaac frowned and immediately said, "Old Mr. Beckett, sorry to trouble you. I’ll take my leave then."
He had barely taken a step when he was stopped: "Stand still. What’s the hurry?"
Sebastian’s face was full of disdain at Isaac’s impatience. "You think she could run away?"
She is going to run.
She’s running abroad.
Isaac’s gaze darkened.
His hands clenched at his sides as he fought down his anxiety and asked, "Do you have instructions for me, sir?"
Sebastian looked at Isaac for a moment, then beckoned him to come over to the desk.
He opened the safe and took out a file.
Isaac watched Sebastian with suspicion and confusion in his eyes.
Sebastian snapped impatiently, "Kid, what are you looking at me for? Look at this!"
He pointed at the file on the desk.
Isaac hesitated for a couple of seconds, reached out and took it, then opened it.
He scanned it quickly, ten lines at a glance, and when he finished, he laid the file down.
"You..." When he spoke, his voice was unconsciously hoarse: "Why are you showing this to me?"
This is—
Something that could turn the Beckett family, even all of Janton, upside down.
Sebastian let out a cold grunt. "Why do you think?"
*
Isaac was coming down from Mount Corvix when he ran into Julian Beckett driving up.
Their cars met; Isaac turned the wheel and blocked Julian’s car.
He got out, walked to the driver’s side, and knocked on the window.
After more than ten seconds, the window slowly rolled down, revealing Julian’s cold profile.
"You’re sending Natalie away?"
Julian had no intention of hiding it. "Yes."
"She agreed?"
Julian turned and looked at him, but instead of answering, he shot back with another question: "With the way things are, do you think she’s better off staying here or going abroad?"
He paused, then said coldly, "Don’t look for her again."
With that, he rolled up the window and drove away.
Damn it!
Isaac cursed under his breath and turned to kick the hubcap of his own car.
He vented for a while.
He was about to go to the Beckett house to find Natalie when he got a call from home, telling him to come back right away.
——
The Vaughn Residence was brightly lit.
No one had gone to bed.
And no one could sleep.
Isaac walked in, his gaze sweeping the room.
Most people were there.
Even his aunt, who usually stayed out of family matters, was present.
He met Sylvia Vaughn’s eyes—a flicker of darkness in hers.
Isaac walked forward.
"Grandpa."
Philip Vaughn, sitting upright in the center of the sofa, said, "It’s so late, but I’ve called everyone here to announce something."
Vanessa Grant looked anxious, wanting to speak, but before she could, her husband placed a hand on hers.
She turned to him, aggrieved and heartbroken.
Ansel Vaughn sighed and held her hand.
The decision lay with the old man.
There was nothing he could say.
Besides, Isaac really did need to have his rough edges smoothed out.
In his heart, he supported the old man’s decision, but he couldn’t bear to see his wife upset.
"Isaac, over in Rhovan, the Vaughn Group’s branch is missing a deputy general manager. Pack your things and head over."
Rhovan.
What a remote place.
Isaac sneered inwardly.
How is this any different from being exiled to Guldrag?
"Isaac, Grandpa wants to give you some real experience—this is a great opportunity. You should cherish it."
Ethan Vaughn gave heartfelt advice, but the mocking glint in his eyes was impossible to hide.
Isaac glanced at him coolly. "Oh? Since it’s such a great opportunity, why don’t you take it?"
Ethan wasn’t offended—he smirked, neither laughing nor serious.
This was already settled.
Philip Vaughn stood up, "That’s enough. Everyone disperse. Ethan, come with me."
Vanessa Grant extricated herself from her husband’s arms, sulking as she came over.
"Rhovan is so far, and there aren’t even any direct flights to Janton; it takes over a day with layovers."
Isaac had to laugh: "Then don’t bother making the trip just to see me—aren’t you worried about getting tired?"
Vanessa glared, full of disappointment.
Isaac added, "I’ll come back to see you. I don’t mind. How about I come back once a month?"
Vanessa wanted to cry.
She could barely accept it when her son was sent to Seaharbor.
But what is Rhovan supposed to be!
——
The day Natalie left the country was her twentieth birthday.
Matthew Beckett had left early in the morning.
Her father knew she was leaving the country today, but had no intention of seeing her off.
He didn’t even remember it was her birthday.
Cynthia Kendall had remained all day in the prayer room.
Natalie sat in the dining room. One of the maids made her a bowl of noodles with a poached egg.
"Happy birthday, miss. The young master ordered this."
"Thank you."
Natalie thanked her sincerely, picked up her chopsticks, and quietly started eating.
But halfway through, she couldn’t eat anymore.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind her.
She turned around, surprise sparkling in her eyes.
Julian Beckett came in holding a pretty cake, candles already lit.
He set the cake in front of her.
"Happy birthday. Make a wish."
By the candlelight, Natalie’s face was serene.
She pressed her palms together, closed her eyes, made a wish, then blew out the candles.
"Thank you, Julian."
Julian put the cake down and handed over a white box.
"Your birthday gift."
Natalie took it and opened it: a diamond watch—simple, elegant, perfectly her style.
"Have some cake. When you’re done, it’ll be time to head for the airport."
"Okay, Julian, will you eat with me?"
Julian looked at his sister’s calm face and, unable to refuse, sat down beside her.
"The place you’ll be living is already arranged. It’s close to your school. Take good care of yourself abroad. If anything happens, don’t keep it in, don’t shoulder it alone—call me any time."
"Okay."
Julian wanted to say more, but when he opened his mouth, he found himself speechless.
He only reached out to gently touch Natalie’s hair.
It was almost time.
Julian went upstairs to get Natalie’s luggage and loaded it into the car.
Just as he closed the trunk, he saw his mother, Cynthia Kendall, coming out of the house.
"Mom?"
Hearing Julian’s voice, Natalie turned around, surprised. "Mom?"
Cynthia walked over and said calmly to Julian, "Give me the car keys. I’ll take her to the airport."
Both Natalie and Julian were stunned by this.
"Mom, let me drive. You and Nat can sit in the back together."
"I have something to say to her, alone." Cynthia extended her hand to Julian, her tone leaving no room for refusal: "Keys."
Julian hesitated for a moment.
Natalie spoke up: "Julian, it’s fine. Let Mom take me."
Julian looked at her, then finally took out the car keys and handed them to Cynthia.
The two of them got in the car.
Natalie sat in the passenger seat and waved goodbye to Julian outside the car.
"Julian, I’m going now."
Julian just nodded, but before he could say anything, Cynthia stepped on the gas—the car shot away with Natalie inside like an arrow.
