Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption-Chapter 160: I need a disguise...

Jessica was almost done with her meal when her phone buzzed with the incoming call, she glanced at it briefly, it was of one of her subordinates.

She had initially asked them to keep an eye Desmond and George Brown immediately she caught sight of the duo, possibly there is a response.

Casting a brief subtle glance at Donald, she quickly accepted the call and placed the phone to her ear, listening intently.

"Yes?... Alright. Keep eyes on them. I’ll be there soon." She replied decisively with a faint smirk curving up her lips, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

Donald’s brow lifted slightly, noticing the sudden change in her expression. The tone of her voice had turned sharp, pointed and focused. A clear indication that something urgent had come up. He could tell she was about to leave.

Without a word, he slowly pushed back his seat and stood. Jessica did the same. She reached for her napkin, dabbed her lips with soft precision, and rose gracefully from her chair.

She picked up her handbag and phone, then slid on her sunglasses in one smooth motion. Her posture straightened, her face expressionless and cold.

With a composed yet dramatic turn, she walked out of the eatery, her head held high.

Her subordinate had just informed her that Desmond and George had scheduled a secret meeting at the Gray Jones Exclusive Club and Bar, and the meeting is set to happen in just an hour.

From her current location, it would take only ten minutes to get there—assuming traffic remained light. Luckily, the morning rush was over, and the roads were relatively clear. She has the strong conviction that she will be able to get there in time.

Donald noticed her quick steps and followed closely behind with long strides. As they approached the parking lot, she impatiently glanced around, clearly weighing her next move. She contemplated whether to call a taxi or join Donald’s drive.

With one swift decisive step, she stretched her hand to flag down the coming taxi when Donald’s voice

Jessica debated whether to take a cab or ride with Donald. She had almost made up her mind to take a cab when Donald’s voice stopped her.

"Get in the car. I’ll drop you off."

She paused, her body stiffened slightly at his words. Turning her head slowly, she regarded him from behind her sunglasses.

Seeing her hesitation, he added, "We came together. It wouldn’t be right to let you leave alone—especially when I brought you here."

Jessica let out a slow sigh. His words made sense. Logical, even. And she didn’t have time to argue because it’s time saving to ride with him.

Without saying a word, she walked toward his car and slipped inside. The drive began in silence. No music, no conversation—just the soft hum of the engine and the occasional sound of passing cars.

The atmosphere inside the vehicle was calm, but laced heavy with unspoken thoughts. Donald glanced at her, his gaze contemplative.

He reached into his suit pocket and pulled out his phone, swiftly unlocked it held it out to her.

"Can I have the honor of getting your contact number?" he asked.

Jessica’s brows creased into a frown. She hadn’t expected that request. It hadn’t crossed her mind that he might ask for her number.

And now that he had, her entire body tensed, she didn’t feel comfortable sharing her number and not when she is trying to keep her distance from the Santiagos’.

"I don’t think that’s necessary," she said, her voice cold and distant. Donald had expected as such but that doesn’t mean he is willing to let it go.

"Think again," he said softly. "What if something urgent comes up? Do I have to go through a third party every time I need to reach you? That wouldn’t be fair to either of us. And honestly it invades your privacy more than it protects it."

Jessica stared at him. He had a way with words. Calm, reasonable, always a response for everything. It annoyed her.

It seems every of her actions and inactions had been within his expectations.

Her lips pressed into a line as she looked down at the phone in his hand. She didn’t want to share her number.

Not because she was hiding but because she didn’t want to open any doors adding to her troubles.

Having the Allen’s and Ravensdale in her life is already enough but to add a Santiagos’ she wouldn’t know where she died.

Besides, giving him her number wouldn’t mean she’d start answering his calls. It wouldn’t mean she’d be available whenever he wanted.

But still...

She slowly reached out and took the phone from his hand. Her fingers moved over the screen as she typed in a number in one swift motion before handing the phone back to him.

"I don’t promise to pick up when you call," she said flatly, her voice devoid of any emotion. "This doesn’t mean anything."

She just wanted to let him know and not to expect from her but then with the circumstances around, she couldn’t care less of when or why he called.

Donald accepted the phone with a slow nod. "Fair enough," he replied quietly. It may not had mattered much to her but to him, it meant everything. He couldn’t help but imagine the smile that will creep on to his mother’s face when he gives this to her.

Recalling his mother, he dialed out to the Dean connecting the call to the car’s Bluetooth.

After the first ring, the dean picked up. His calm voice booming through the speaker. "Mr. Santiago, she is stable now and had woken up but now returned to her sleep.

They both let out a breathe they never thought they had been holding since he made the call.

Jessica turned her face to the window, watching the road speed past. Her heart felt heavy. She couldn’t help but wonder what could be Desmond’s and George Brown’s plot that made them met secretly.

With practiced ease, Donald brought the car to a stop right in front of Gray Jones Club and Bar exactly ten minutes later. Jessica let out a deep breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

She turned slightly to face Donald. "Thank you for today. Also, remember to take note of what your mother eats or avoids. And I strongly suggest you change the caregiver currently assigned to her—considering her age, it’s important," she said all at once, as if she couldn’t wait to leave.

Donald gave a small nod in response. His face remained calm, revealing nothing of whatever emotions he might have been feeling.

"As for her treatment," he added, "can you get all the necessary items ready? Money won’t be a problem."

Jessica gave him a brief nod before reaching for the door handle. With a click, she stepped out of the car smoothly. Donald gave her one last look before reversing out of the driveway and driving off.

Jessica stood still for a moment, making sure he was gone. Only then did she turn on her heels as her subordinates pulled up beside her in a sleek black car.

She quickly slid into the vehicle, her movement sharp and graceful. The car entered the club premises without delay.

Inside the car, her subordinates wasted no time in giving her the details of their finding. One of them handed her a tablet while another gave a quick summary.

"The meeting is set to happen in the private lounge on the second floor. George arrived ten minutes ago.

To protect their discussion from outsides, they have carefully handpicked the waiter who will serve them. Only her can come in or go out. It seems they’re discussing something sensitive—possibly related to the recent changes at the Allen Group."

Jessica’s eyes narrowed as she listened carefully. She gave a small nod, her expression unreadable, but her mind already working through her next move.

George Brown had always been the anxious type, even when he was being plotted against. For him, arriving ten minutes early clearly pointed to his desperation for financial assistance.

"How many minutes before the meeting?" she asked, casting a quick glance at them.

"We have about thirty minutes left. Carlo is keeping an eye on Desmond. He’s still at the company and hasn’t left yet," the young man reported, a hint of indignation rising at the mention of Desmond’s name.

"Can I get a picture of the girl who’s supposed to handle them? And if possible, I need a disguise that matches her appearance," she said with a smirk.

"What?" they exclaimed in unison, their breath catching in their throats. They dared not let her go in disguise. If she was discovered, they might as well kiss their lives goodbye.

Seeing the fear etched on their faces, Jessica sighed deeply. "When did I become an over-pampered princess, that wearing a disguise is now considered a dangerous and exhausting task?" she asked, her tone laced with both irony and frustration.