Divorce With Benefits: A Second Chance At Love-Chapter 127: A Secret Plan

Arthur’s gaze lingered on Jared, studying him as if trying to unravel a complicated puzzle. He could see the torment in Jared’s eyes—the way they burned with determination despite the humiliation of asking for help.

It wasn’t easy for a proud, self-made man like Jared to beg, especially not to someone like Arthur. And yet, here he was, setting aside his pride for the sake of his wife.

That unwavering devotion struck a chord deep within Arthur, a resonance he couldn’t ignore. He recognized it because it mirrored his own instincts. If the roles were reversed, if his wife were in danger, there was no limit to what Arthur would do—or endure—to protect her.

It wasn’t pity he felt for Jared; it was understanding, an unspoken acknowledgment between two men who would burn the world to save the woman they loved.

Arthur broke the silence first, his voice calm but probing, a quiet intensity in his tone. "Do you want anything else? Your mother is protected for now. Beyond that...?"

Jared hesitated, his jaw tightening as he weighed his words. There was no denying that Arthur seemed sincere in his intent to shield them from danger. But the question still gnawed at him: why?

Taking a sharp breath, Jared finally spoke, his voice steady but charged with unspoken emotions. "What kind of relationship do you share with my wife?"

The words came out like a challenge, though beneath them lay a deep well of confusion and something dangerously close to jealousy. Jared’s mind raced to understand the connection. Why would Arthur, a man famously consumed by devotion to his own wife, take such an active role in protecting Jerica? What tethered him so tightly to her?

Arthur’s lips curved into a faint, enigmatic smile. It wasn’t mocking, but it was just evasive enough to spark Jared’s frustration. The expression carried an air of knowing, as though Arthur held a secret too heavy to be spoken aloud.

After a pause, Arthur’s voice broke the silence again, this time with an unexpected question. "How about your father?" he asked. "What kind of relationship do you want to have with him?"

The shift in topic landed like a blow. Jared’s lips trembled as he pressed them tightly together, his fists clenching against his sides. His father was a closed Chapter, an unnecessary part of his past he had long since locked away. The very mention of him made Jared’s chest tighten.

"I want to maintain the status quo as it is," he replied, his voice taut.

Arthur’s sharp hazel eyes bore into Jared, as though searching for something deeper in his response. Then, to Jared’s surprise, Arthur chuckled, the sound low and unsettling.

"We’ll see about that," Arthur said, his tone carrying a note of finality that sent a chill down Jared’s spine.

Jared’s head snapped up, his brows furrowing. "What does that mean?" he demanded, his voice rising with irritation.

But Arthur only shook his head slightly, his expression unreadable. Without answering, he turned on his heel, his movements smooth and deliberate, as if every step was part of a calculated plan. His measured footsteps echoed against the walls as he strode to the door, leaving Jared behind with a torrent of questions and a rising sense of unease.

The door clicked shut with an ominous finality, leaving Jared alone in the suffocating silence of the room. His hands clenched into fists, the ache in his chest growing heavier with each passing moment. Arthur’s cryptic words lingered in his mind, fueling his frustration and deepening his determination to uncover the truth.

What kind of game was Arthur playing? And why did it feel like the stakes were far higher than Jared could have ever imagined?

----

Harold watched Catherine disappear into the cab, her shoulders tense, her movements hurried. Something about the way she’d spoken, the way she’d hesitated just before leaving, gnawed at him.

Her claim that Arthur Sutherland had kidnapped Jerica and her husband seemed sincere, but her sudden retreat suggested there was more she wasn’t saying.

What was she hiding?

He took a step forward, his eyes narrowing as the cab merged into traffic. A pang of concern flared in his chest. She should be resting, not running off with a head injury. Where was she even going?

The thought struck him: he didn’t know.

Catherine, who seemed to know so much about him, was a mystery in return. Her secrets made his skin crawl with unease.

"She hides something..." Nick’s voice broke through Harold’s thoughts, sharp and certain. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Harold exhaled deeply, his shoulders stiffening. "Yes," he muttered, eyes still fixed on where the cab had disappeared. "I’ll handle it for now. Stay low and be vigilant."

Nick nodded and left without another word. Harold retrieved his phone, his thumb scrolling through the contacts with practiced ease. He hesitated briefly before making the call. It was time to leverage the Braddock name and resources.

"I need someone to follow a woman. Catherine—the one who stalks me. Discreetly. Report back to me with her location and any unusual behavior." Harold’s voice was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

The call ended, but before he could pocket his phone, it buzzed incessantly with calls from his father. Harold sighed, irritation prickling at him as he finally answered.

"Where is that ex-girlfriend of yours who works in your office now?" Noel’s sharp voice came through the line, devoid of pleasantries.

Harold smirked despite his annoyance. "I’m fine, Dad. Thanks for asking. Have you had lunch yet?" His mocking tone earned an audible huff on the other end.

"Don’t play games with me, Harry. We don’t have time for small talks," Noel snapped.

"You never do..." Harold mumbled under his breath.

"Where is she?"

"Do you really not know, or is that a rhetorical question?" Harold quipped, though his own chest tightened at the memory of Jerica’s abduction. Surely his father, with his vast network of information, already knew. Especially after his uncle knew. His uncle told everything to his father.

"Don’t waste my time!" Noel’s bark was sharp enough to make Harold grimace.

Clearing his throat, Harold debated how much to reveal. "Ar~" He bit his lips to stop himself. He didn’t want to reveal Arthur’s name yet to his family. He wanted to know how much they knew. "Someone kidnapped her and your nephew—her husband. Didn’t Uncle call you?" He kept his voice measured, though it took effort not to let his anger seep through.