They still had a day before the welcome banquet for Valerie.
Although Nigelâs death was a huge blow to their plans, there was still hope.
As night fell, rain began to pour in torrents.
The wind howled, rustling the leaves in the trees and whipping their branches against the glass windowpanes.
Lucinda couldnât sleep, so she stood by the window and watched the downpour.
Nathan sat up in bed, stared at her slumped shoulders, and sighed to himself.
He got out of bed and was about to walk over and embrace her when they heard a knock at the front door downstairs.
It was so late in the night.
Who could it be?
Was it Sonny? Had something happened?
Lucinda and Nathan exchanged a look before heading downstairs together.
They opened the door to their unexpected visitor, who was completely drenched by the rain.
His hair was plastered onto his head, and his clothes were dripping with water.
His muscular chest heaved up and down, as if he had just been through some life-threatening ordeal.
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Lucinda peered at the man, just as Nathan opened the door wider, allowing the light from the foyer to illuminate their visitorâs face.
âHilliard?â
Lucinda and Nathan exchanged shocked glances upon seeing Hilliard standing outside the door.
They hadnât anticipated his arrival.
Hilliard stood there, drenched from the rain, refusing to step onto the carpet.
His gaze fixed upon Lucinda, he appeared burdened with urgency.
She didnât understand, but she remembered what had happened in the Simmons familyâs house the other day.
She asked coldly, âWhy didnât you take an umbrella? Is there anything urgent?â
âLucinda, Iâve been under surveillance, which is why I havenât been able to reach out to you.
The banquet is tomorrow, and I had to shake off those who were tailing me to come here secretly.
â
Lucindaâs heart softened at his words.
She turned to Nathan and instructed, âWould you fetch a thick bath towel for him and prepare some ginger tea?â
âOf course,â Nathan acknowledged before retrieving the towel, allowing Hilliard to partially dry himself before entering the Living room.
Meanwhile, he set about making the ginger tea.
Lucinda took a seat on the sofa, her eyes fixed on Hilliard.
âHilliard, what is it that you wish to discuss? Donât beat around the bush.
Just speak plainly.
â