Chapter 542: We’ll Give Him An Opportunity
Over the next few days, public opinion continuously swayed between supporting Michael and supporting Christian. It was apparent that Christian had invested a large sum in his army of ghostwriters.
Michael, on the other hand, had deployed a force of his own people around Lake City in search of Clement. He didn’t believe for a moment that Clement would abandon Christian’s ring protection. As soon as he left, Michael would immediately be able to locate him.
At this precise moment, Clement was staying at one of Christian’s mansions in the suburbs. He decided to give Christian a call. Clement nervously paced back and forth, his tone was not pleasant, "It’s already been a week. I need to get back to Rheinsville City, otherwise, we won’t be able to put our plans into action."
"I’m much more stressed than you are. It’s just that Michael’s people are looking for you. He’s keeping an eye on all the airports and train stations. The moment you step outside, he’ll catch you. How can you go through with your plan if you’re caught?"
Christian tried his best to control his emotions. He wanted to keep his composure when talking with Clement. After all, it wasn’t the time for internal strife. If they started fighting amongst themselves, that would just be in Michael’s favor.
Christian had spent so much money on the ghostwriters intending that they would divert Michael’s attention and energy to managing public opinions. Afterward, he had wanted to find the opportunity to let Clement go. However, Michael’s single tweet had changed the public sentiment. Christian had employed more ghostwriters.
Although Michael still had to fight against them online, his search for Clement did not fizzle out.
Christian had to admit that he had deeply underestimated Michael’s power. Over the past half-year, Michael had taken advantage of DR’s failing operations to acquire market share and resources.
"Christian, how have you grown so weak?" Clement was clearly displeased, "You’ve already been in Lake City for six, seven years. Has your influence not taken root yet?
I only came to Lake City after that one call with you because I assumed you would be able to protect me. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come alone. Now, you’re telling me that I can’t leave?"
"How would I know that Michael holds a grudge against you?" Christian hadn’t cared enough to investigate whatever had transpired between the two in Rheinsville City.
If he had known, then he wouldn’t have made Clement come alone. It would have been possible to find another reliable person to work with, anyway.
The only reason Clement came was because he was determined to return to the organization. Besides, he also believed in Christian’s abilities. He assumed that Christian would help him open Zeilheim City’s market.
"What should I do now?" Clement kept pacing on the other end of the call. It was obvious that he was anxious, "I can’t stay hidden away in your little shack forever."
"I’ll think of some way for you to escape, you just need to give me some time," Christian said helplessly.
Clement was so angry that he slammed the phone down, cutting the call short.
Christian was also anxious. Michael had his eye on all the points of entry and exit into Lake City. If he let Clement go, he would just be handing him over to Michael.
He didn’t know how long he would have to wait either. Knowing the reach of Michael’s influence, it would be no time before he searched every corner of Lake City. When the time came, Clement would still be captured.
Christian clenched his hands into fists and punched the table. No! If there wasn’t a suitable opportunity, he would have to create his own opportunity.
...
"Mr. Lucas, it seems that I guessed correctly. Christian did indeed send someone to follow Leah and Jake." Mr. York maintained a respectful tone as he stood in front of Michael, bowing slightly.
"What is the current situation?" Michael looked up and asked Mr. York.
"I’ve sent people to covertly look out for Leah, Jake, and Mrs. Lucas’ safety - just as you ordered yesterday. Today, Mrs. Lucas and Zess took the children to school. After they dropped Leah and Jake off, Christian’s cronies stayed to monitor the school. I think that he has his sights on Leah and Jake. Right now, there’s only two of them, but they’re both top-notch bodyguards." Mr. York asked, "Sir, what are we supposed to do next?"
"Those two cronies won’t be able to touch Leah and Jake while they’re in school.
Christian is probably waiting for them to leave the premises before capturing them."
Michael hung his head saying, "Send a few more people to watch over Leah and Jake. Just wait for me to give the order."
"Yes, sir." Mr. York nodded his head.
Michael lightly drummed his fingers on the desk. He thought for a bit before grabbing his coat and car keys to head home.
Wendy and Zess were surprised to see him arrive home at that time of the day.
"How come you’ve come home so early?" asked Wendy looking up at Michael from where she was sitting on the couch.
"I wanted to see you." Michael smiled, going straight towards where Wendy was seated.
"Then, I’ll get started on lunch. Besides, it’s already 11 o’clock." Zess laughed, "I’ll make a few extra dishes." She got up and left Michael and Wendy by themselves in the front room.
"Is something wrong?" Wendy knew Michael. As she looked at the strained expression on his face, she knew something was wrong. Michael usually never came home at 11 in the morning.
"There is one matter I need to inform you about." Michael’s voice became serious, and he clasped both of his hands together, "Christian has sent people to spy on Leah and Jake."
"What?" Wendy shot to her feet in shock.
"Don’t worry yet." Michael also stood up, gently coaxing Wendy to sit back down, "I had a feeling this would happen, so I’ve already sent my own people to watch over Christian’s bodyguards."
Wendy relaxed slightly after hearing Michael’s assurance. She sat back down, asking, "Why aren’t you making a move since Christian’s men are all under your watch?"
"I’m guessing that Christian is waiting for the opportunity to either kidnap Leah and Jake or only kidnap one of them. He wants to use them as leverage so that we let Clement slip past." Michael continued analyzing the situation, "Clement has already been in Lake City for over a week. He’s probably in a rush to leave. However, I’ve been monitoring the entirety of Lake City, so he hasn’t been able to leave. Christian wants to create an opportunity."
"Christian is such a horrible person!" Wendy swore at him, "Leah and Jake are so young. How can he bring the children into this situation? If he wants to kidnap anyone, let him kidnap me!"
Even though Wendy knew that Michael was spying on Christian’s men, she was still worried over her children’s safety after hearing about the possibility of their kidnapping. She knew exactly what kind of person Christian was. He was willing to do anything to achieve his goals. She couldn’t help but worry about her children being watched by that kind of person.
"I wasn’t planning on telling you about this originally. I was worried you would become too worked up." Michael sighed, "You’re pregnant. It’s not good for you to become overly agitated.
...
Wendy took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. "Since you have decided to tell me about this, you probably need me to play some sort of role." Once Wendy was able to think clearly, she guessed that Michael had something in mind.
Michael deeply regretted not being able to protect Wendy during her altercation with Clement. He wouldn’t tell Wendy anything that would make her worry unless it was important.
"Christian needs an opportunity, so we’ll give him one." Michael told her, "I know that you’re not willing to endanger our two children, so I was thinking that we will need to put on a performance for Christian. That will be his so-called opportunity."
"What kind of a performance?" asked Wendy looking at Michael.
Asking her to act according to his plan was probably not dangerous. She knew that Michael wouldn’t let her fall in the path of danger.
"I need you to pretend that you’ve had a miscarriage." Michael’s request was clear and simple.
Upon hearing Michael’s request, Wendy immediately understood Michael’s plan, "You’re saying that I need to pretend to have a miscarriage to capture Christian’s attention. You want him to think that you don’t have time to watch him, so he’ll tell Clement to take the chance and leave the city?"
"Yes. If anything happened to you, all my energies would be spent on helping you. I wouldn’t be able to think about anything else. This is the only way to make Christian believe that his opportunity has arrived." said Michael.
Christian knew how much Michael loved Wendy. Michael wouldn’t be able to turn his mind away from the matter at hand unless something had happened to her. Of course, there were also Leah and Jake to worry about. Michael and Wendy wouldn’t let the children become entangled in this situation.
"Okay, when should I start?" Wendy asked.
"When you’re picking up the children this afternoon, find a good moment to pretend to slip and fall."
Michael’s face and voice became serious, "I’ll notify personnel to prepare a blood bag for you to hide under your clothes. When the time comes, crush the bag to create the illusion that you’re having a miscarriage. Christian’s people are spying on Leah and Michael. Try planning your fall closer to the school campus, that way Christian’s spies could personally witness your accident. I’ll be the first one to appear by your side to fool Christian into thinking that I’ve lost interest in the situation."
"No problem." Wendy nodded her head. She made a mock salute at Michael, saying, "I’ll be sure to complete the mission."
"Thank you for your hard work, Wendy." Michael sighed lightly. He placed his hands on Wendy’s shoulders. There was a trace of guilt in his eyes. He loathed the idea of letting Wendy participate in his schemes. But this was the best plan he could think of at the moment. It was the fastest way to catch Clement.
Wendy heard the guilt permeating Michael’s voice. She laughed, "It’s not worth feeling guilty about. I’m just helping you put on an act. How come you sound like you’ve wronged me?"
Michael bowed his head slightly and didn’t speak.
"It’s okay. Don’t always keep things to yourself. Didn’t we make an agreement that whatever problems came our way, we would always work through them together?"
Wendy patted Michael’s shoulder, trying to comfort him.
Michael’s lips curved upwards and his eyes lit up. He pulled Wendy into a tight embrace, his voice filled with gentleness, "I feel so fortunate that I could marry you, Wendy."
After hearing Michael’s words, Wendy’s eyes glistened with happiness. She returned Michael’s embrace.
