Chapter 977
977:
“Does everything have to fall apart at once?” The words escaped Dolores in a frustrated whisper.
After weighing her options, she resolved to seek out Dustin personally. Another pair of hands and his insights could make all the difference in their search.
“Continue the search operations. I’m going to find Dustin and see what he might know.” Dolores’ instructions were swift and decisive.
Turning to Glenda, she said, “Glenda, please look after Zenia and Zander. We’ll station a few guards here for everyone’s protection.”
“Of course, Ms. Davidson,” Glenda replied without hesitation.
Dolores wasted no time. She gathered her belongings and headed out to track down Dustin. Since Collin’s team couldn’t reach him, chances were slim he would be at CR Corporation.
Dolores knew where Dustin lived. As she drove through the city streets, she tried his number. She braced herself for another unanswered call, just like her failed attempts to reach Linsey and Collin.
To her surprise, the phone barely rang twice before someone picked up. Dolores paused, confused. Why had Collin’s men claimed they couldn’t get through to Dustin?
She was about to speak when a soft, feminine voice drifted through the line.
“Hello. Who is this?”
Dolores went rigid, her face hardening in an instant. A flurry of possibilities raced through her mind within seconds. Why was a woman answering Dustin’s phone? Even if it was his assistant or secretary, they wouldn’t likely have the audacity to pick up his personal phone without clear permission, would they?
It also couldn’t be a housekeeper or anyone else in his employ. Dolores pieced her thoughts together slowly. Whoever answered Dustin’s phone with such ease had to share a significant connection with him.
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Dolores forced her pounding heart to settle, swallowing hard before speaking in a tight voice. “This is Dolores Davidson. I need to speak with Dustin. Is he available?”
She shut her eyes briefly, willing herself to stay calm. Now wasn’t the time to spiral into suspicion. Finding Linsey and Collin was the priority.
“Oh, Ms. Davidson. I’ve heard of you. They say you and Dustin have a great relationship and are well-matched business partners,” the woman on the other end replied, her voice light with a soft chuckle.
Dolores’ brow furrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line as an uneasy feeling settled over her.
“Is Dustin busy? I have urgent matters to discuss with him,” Dolores said.
The woman paused as if just realizing something, then responded in an apologetic tone. “I’m so sorry, Dustin’s in the shower right now. If it’s alright, I can take a message and let him know.”
Dolores’ breath caught for a split second. She steadied herself, adopting a professional tone. “If you could ask him to hurry, I would appreciate it. Aurora, our designer, is planning a collaboration with CR Corporation, and I need to go over some critical details with him on her behalf.”
Was she talking about Linsey, the rising star from the recent Grester fashion design competition? Joanne had only recently found out that Aurora was Linsey.
Her eyes flickered briefly before she responded smoothly, “Alright. Please hold on for a moment.”
She muted the call and climbed the stairs to Dustin’s bedroom, pushing the door open without hesitation. The bathroom light glowed, and the faint sound of running water drifted through the air.
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