252 After a long, tense drive, Darwin finally arrived at the hospital, his heart racing with worry for his friend, Nick. Rushing inside, he quickly located the doctor and Nick's room. Upon seeing them again, the doctor's surprise was evident. "Nick, back so soon? What happened?" he asked, concern
253 After a long afternoon of talking and relaxing, Darwin decided it was time to head back home and let Nick get some much-needed rest. "Nick, I think it's about time I head out," Darwin said, standing up from the comfortable sofa. Nick nodded, a grateful smile on his face. "Thanks for everything, Darwin. I really appreciate it," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. Darwin waved off Nick's thanks with a smile. "No problem, Nick. Just glad I could help," he replied, his tone sincere. As Darwin made his way towards the door, Nick followed him, still feeling a bit overwhelmed by the day's events. "Take care of yourself, Nick. And if you need anything, don't hesitate to call," Darwin said, pausing at the doorway. Nick nodded, his expression reflecting both exhaustion and relief. "Thanks, Darwin. I'll be fine. Go home and get some rest yourself," he said, mustering up a tired but genuine smile. With a final wave, Darwin stepped out into the hallway, the weight of the
254 "Well, Darwin, I must say, you certainly don't disappoint," Lauren remarked with a wry smile. "You've managed to pique my curiosity once again." Darwin grinned, a sense of satisfaction coursing through him. "I aim to please. So, what do you think? Are you convinced?" Lauren's smile widened, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. "Let's just say, you've definitely given me something to think about. But I'll reserve judgment until I've had a chance to review the evidence myself." With a nod of understanding, Darwin leaned back in his chair, content in the knowledge that he had at least planted the seed of doubt in Lauren's mind. As their drinks arrived, the conversation shifted to lighter topics, the tension of their earlier discussion melting away in the warmth of their camaraderie. After a few minutes of discussing intricate plans and unraveling mysteries with Lauren, Darwin finally excused himself to use the bathroom. "I'll be right back," he said with a smile, leaving Lauren
255 Darwin's heart raced as he exchanged uneasy glances with the man across the table. The tension between them was palpable, like a storm brewing on the horizon, ready to unleash its fury at any moment. Lauren's phone buzzed with an incoming call, interrupting the awkward silence. She excused he
256 Darwin bade Lauren farewell as she made her way to her car, casting one final curious glance over her shoulder before driving off into the night. He turned to face the man, his expression stony. "Well, shall we continue our little discussion?" Darwin asked coolly, though his underlying hostili
257 Darwin got into his sleek black Audi and drove away from the tense confrontation. As he sped through the quiet suburban streets, his mind raced with thoughts of the man's sinister threats and mysterious intentions. After about 20 minutes, he arrived at the stately wrought iron gates of his family's estate. Pulling up the long driveway, the mansion soon came into view in all its glory against the moonlit sky. As Darwin parked and made his way inside, he was greeted by the warmth and glow of the foyer. "Mother, I'm home," he called out. "Darwin, is that you?" replied his mother's voice from the sitting room. He walked in to find her reclining on the plush velvet couch, a look of concern on her face. "You're home later than expected. Is everything alright?" He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's a long story. I had a rather unpleasant run-in with that man again." His mother tutted disapprovingly. "That Edward Blackwell. I never did trust him. What did he want th
258 The next morning, Darwin and Lady Margaret arrived at the sleek, modern headquarters of Silicon Solutions, ready to finalize their partnership with Nicholas Swift. As they stepped into the lobby, they were greeted by the cool, efficient atmosphere of the tech company. Nicholas met them in the
259 Their father, Mr. Oakbar stormed into the room, his face contorted with fury. He held a stack of papers tightly clenched in his hand, his eyes ablaze with anger. With a forceful motion, he threw the papers onto the nearest table, causing them to scatter across its surface. The siblings, taken