Chapter 1653

Charlotte was about to send Danrique a text when the latter called. “I’d heard, Danrique,” she said, picking up at once. “Thank you!”

“There’s no need to thank me.” Danrique sounded as aloof as ever. “When this business with the Nachts is resolved, you are to return to Erihal at once.”

“Danrique-”

“One more thing,” Danrique interrupted, with zero regards for Charlotte’s protests. “When Francesca shows herself, capture her at once. Don’t let her get away. Do you understand?”

“What’s going on between you and Francesca, Danrique?” Charlotte asked after an initially startled pause.

“None of your business. Get it done!” Danrique echoed Francesca at the mention of her name before hanging up.

Charlotte gazed at her phone dejectedly.

Soon, Sean called her again. “Ms. Lindberg, I am not to come over to you, after all. If you would hand over all of the leads you have, I shall begin my investigation. I’ll let you know if I find anything.”

“All right, I’ll have Lupine forward it to you,” Charlotte answered as she gestured at her bodyguard, who nodded and complied immediately.

“By the way, Sean,” Charlotte said, seized by a sudden thought. “Is Danrique hurt?”

“How you did you know that?” Sean asked at once.

“He really is, isn’t he?” Charlotte exclaimed. “No wonder he was so anxious to locate Francesco! Is it serious?”

“Not exactly, although that’s not true. Actually, it’s nothing to worry about.”

Sean sounded conflicted as he was not sure what he was allowed to reveal. “The point is,” he concluded after much hesitation, “that Mr. Lindberg needs Francesco urgently. Once she shows herself, you must inform me. I shall take her back to Erihal.”

“I understand.” Charlotte shifted guiltily. “I was thinking of having her treat Zachary, but I did not expect Danrique to get injured at the same time. That was selfish of me.”

“Not at all,” Sean said quickly. “Mr. Nacht had been in graver danger. It was the right thing to do to have Francesco treat him first. Besides, Mr. Lindberg’s predicament is not particularly life-threatening. It’s just-”

“Just what?” Charlotte asked at once.

“I can’t say,” Sean replied with a nervous cough.

Charlotte did not pursue the matter further at his extreme reluctance to discuss the subject. “Thank you in advance for all of your efforts to rescue my son.”

“No matter. We’re a family.”

After hanging up, Charlotte hastened to meet Bruce to alter their plans after learning of the new developments from Sean.

After Lupine had forwarded the information as was requested, she returned to report to Charlotte. “Sean is going to follow another trail of evidence. Also, we have word that Chris has left for Fairlake.”

“It looks like my instigation worked. Now that the venom is working its way into his body, he will be so uncomfortable that he’s going to need a second opinion.”

“That sounds like what he would do.” Lupine heaved a sigh of relief. “Everything is going according to plan.”

The knot in Charlotte’s brows began to loosen. Suddenly, there was a call from Johann. “What is it, Mr. Sterk? It’s rather late.”

“I’d just received word that Jesse is meeting with the major shareholders to buy their shares at a premium.”

“Nacht Group’s shares?” repeated Charlotte, surprised. “They are in the minority, aren’t they?”

“Though that’s true,” replied Johann anxiously, “Thirty of them adds up to a total of ten percent between them.

Along with the twenty percent in Chris’ hands, they already have enough to topple you.”

“No wonder he didn’t leave last night. He wanted me to get the shares without a hitch. Jesse is a wily old fox. I will try to persuade our shareholders not to sell to him, but it doesn’t look too optimistic.”q