The Substitute Bride: Idiot Or Not?

"Yes. It's very urgent. I'll send you the number now," Winnie continued talking to Christopher on the phone while making her way out of the ward.

Before stepping out into the corridor, she heard Yulissa feigning innocence, saying, "Josiah, what was that woman talking about just now? Why was she asking me to hand over Xavier? Is he in trouble? Josiah tell me! This is so frustrating! Why didn't you tell me about it earlier? Why did you hide it from me, Josiah?"

Hearing Yulissa repeating Josiah's name disgusted Winnie. Hence, she slammed the door shut, preferring not to hear the former's voice at all.

Winnie shut the door rather hard, and Yulissa put on a shocked expression as if startled by the sound. The latter asked, "Josiah, who's that woman?"

Josiah adjusted his glasses, answering, "That's what I want to know, too. Get some rest, and don't worry about Xavier's matter."

With that, he hurried after Winnie.

Arriving at the elevator, he called out to Winnie, "Stop right there."

Since the door had not opened, Winnie decided to turn around for the sake of being polite. "What's the matter, Dr. Houghton?"

Josiah frowned. "Why are you so sure Xavier's in trouble? He's been looking for her for quite some time. Isn't it normal for him to leave the hospital after getting a lead on her?"

"Are you going to believe what I tell you? If I told you that Yulissa wants to harm Xavier, and the lead Xavier received was just a trap, will you believe me?" Winnie responded with questions. Josiah refuted instinctively, "Can you be more reasonable? Why would Yulissa want to harm Xavier? It doesn't make sense."

"What if I say Yulissa's working with Zyon?"

"How's that possible? Both of them barely contact each other. Besides, anyone would prefer to be in touch with Xavier instead of Zyon. There's no need for Yulissa to contact Zyon, anyway." Winnie shrugged. "See? I'm telling you the truth, but you don't even believe me."

As she said that, the elevator door opened.

Just as Winnie was about to enter the elevator, Josiah grabbed her arm.

Looking utterly displeased, she snapped, "What else do you want to do? You don't even believe what I say."

Josiah tightened his grip. He still had his suspicions about Winnie that she could harm Xavier. "What is your motive? I won't let you harm my friend!"

Winnie's expression darkened. "Are you trying to stop me now? Tell you what. The more time I waste here, the more danger Xavier is in. Not only are you not going out to look for him, but you're also not letting me go?"

"Woman, tell me your true motive," Josiah hissed.

Winnie rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll tell you. That jerk, Xavier, took my family heirloom. Where am I going to look for it if he dies in some unknown place? You'd better listen to me and get someone to look for Xavier now."

With that, she shook Josiah's hand away and entered the elevator before the door closed.

Josiah wanted to continue pursuing her, but it was too late. Though he did not believe her words, he still had doubts about Xavier's sudden disappearance. Thus, he called Louis.

Winnie had just stepped out of the hospital when Christopher called.

"I found it. The phone signal is moving at high speed on the provincial highway 301," he informed.

"Where does that highway lead to?" asked Winnie because she was unfamiliar with Avenport's roads.

"According to the vehicle's current trail, there are two possible locations-Avenport's international airport or Avenport's harbor," answered Christopher.

Upon hearing the two locations,

Winnie instantly came up with a deduction. "It's definitely not the international airport. They were in a rush to carry out the mission. There's no way they'll be taking the plane. It's too much of a hassle. Leaving on a private boat at the harbor sounds more plausible.

Captain Bennett, how long will it take for them to reach the harbor?"

"About fifteen minutes. There isn't enough time, no matter what you want to do. If the boat's prepared ahead of time, they'll only need five minutes to get it sailing. That leaves us only twenty minutes to reach there."

Winnie furrowed her brows. "Twenty minutes is too short. I won't be able to reach there in time, even if I drive at a hundred and eighty miles per hour. Is there no other way? If I remember correctly, the nearest subway station uses maglev trains."

"You're right. Good thing you

reminded me

There's a track near

the hospital you're at. The train

moves at six hundred kilometers per hour. Take the next train in five- minutes. You should be able to reach the port in eight. That leaves

you seven minutes to spare. If

everything goes well, you might be able to find him."

"Okay." Winnie dashed to the nearest interchange station and got onto the maglev train that was headed for Avenport's harbor.

Fifteen minutes later, Winnie arrived at the harbor.

"Captain Bennett, I've arrived. Any news from your side?" she asked.

"So far, no. We've just received news that there's a major armed fight at the harbor that took up most of the police force. I'm afraid they won't be able to rush over now. Don't do anything rash. Stay safe. I'm on my way."

Winnie frowned as she glanced at the time. "Got it. I'll take care of myself."

She hung up, bent over, and walked past the gate.

All that was visible in the dark harbor were two pulsing red dots. Clearly, there were people smoking there.

One of the men was getting impatient from all the waiting. "What are we waiting for? Don't we have our main prey already?"

"What do you know? At first, it was only one person. Now that there's a driver and a bodyguard, the price will definitely change. There's no turning back anymore. Hugo has already discussed the price with the other party."

"Oh, that's interesting. I get it now

that you've put it that way. No doubt, the bodyguard looks quite hard to deal with The main target, however, is much easier to deal with. I mean, look at him. He's in a patient's fobe and has a cast on his leg. I can easily toss him into the sea and feed him to the fishes with just a push of my finger."

"This is the only time you get to do it. You'd never get a chance to be so close to him on normal days."ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"So what? In the end, we still got hold of the mighty CEO of Fairchild Corporation."

Meanwhile, Winnie, who was hiding in the cabin behind them, heard every word of their conversation.

It looks like they have Xavier now. I knew it. They want to harm him. I'm sure I can find Xavier if I follow these two.

Before they could finish their cigarette, one of the men received a call. He then said to his partner, "Let's go. Hugo says we can begin our journey."

Upon hearing that, Winnie silently slipped into the water and followed them onto one of the boats.