Chapter 767
Cedrick knew Gwendolyn well enough to be aware that she would stop her car and contact emergency
services if she encountered a stranger in danger or in need of help. However, she would never allow an
unfamiliar person into her car.
As Cedrick examined the surveince camera screens, his breathing grew heavy. It was evident to him
that the person in the car was intentionally trying to avoid being captured by the public surveince
cameras.
While Cedrick could make out some details, such as a muscr physique and a partially visible
shoulder, he couldn’t determine the man’s identity.
Salinsburgh had recently experienced a surge in mysterious incidents, cing an increased workload
on the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Analyzing the scene, Cedrick concluded, “There are no signs of a struggle or any potential weapons
that could be connected to a crime. It is possible that the man is indeed an acquaintance of Gwenny’s.”
He turned to Swain and instructed, “Check with the nearby businesses around the bridge and inquire if
any of them have outdoor surveince cameras installed. We might obtain valuable footage that can
shed light on the situation.”
It could potentially be their first breakthrough in the investigation.
“You’re right, Boss. I’ll be right on it.”
As Swain prepared to leave, he felt a moment of concern for Cedrick’s well-being. He paused at the
door and reminded, “Boss, I understand you’re anxious, but please take care of yourself too. It’s winter,
the rain is freezing cold, and you’re still soaking wet. We wouldn’t want you falling sick before finding
Mrs. Jenson.”
Cedrick’s stern look silenced Swain.
“All right, I’m off.” He shrugged and exited the room.
Despite his damp hair and dripping clothes since his return from the canyon, Cedrick chose to ignore
his difort.
He reached for a pack of cigarettes from the drawer, something he hadn’t done in years since
bing a parent.
However, that night, he decided to indulge, knowing he wouldn’t be seeing the kids and, therefore,
wouldn’t need to worry about smelling like nicotine.
With his lighter in hand, he lit the cigarette and took a deep drag as if releasing the built-up stress and
tension within him.
As the bitter smoke filled his lungs, he coughed ufortably.
His eyes reddened as he stared at the cigarette between his fingers and whispered, “Darling, I broke
your rules and smoked. I deserve to be punished by you. Can you see that? Please let me find you
soon…”
His voice choked with emotion as he finally allowed himself to let go of all the heartache he had been
suppressing since losing his wife.
Now alone, the man who used to stand tall in the face of adversity was sobbing, consumed by
sadness.
The sound of heavy rain outside masked his sobs in the office.
Cedrick took a deep breath, coughing slightly, and quickly finished his cigarette before disposing of the
butt in the ss ashtray.
Having turned off his phone long ago to prevent Nico and Charles from reaching him, Cedrick reached
into the drawer and retrieved another phone, dialing the number he had memorized by heart.
However, much to his disappointment, he received the same message as before, telling him that the
number he had dialed was out of service and to please try againter.
The fact that Gwendolyn’s phone was still switched on left Cedrick feeling even more devastated.
As he grappled with the situation, the unsettling facts surrounding the incident refused to escape his
mind. There were no signs of a struggle in the car, indicating that the man who got into her car was
someone she knew.
Furthermore, the car appeared to be in perfect condition, meaning Gwendolyn had chosen to drive off
the cliff.
And even in the canyon where the car hadnded, there was no trace of blood or any evidence to
exin what had transpired.
The rain had washed away any potential clues, leaving Cedrick haunted by the uncertainty and
dangers his wife might have faced.
RêAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only
As Cedrick stared at the photos captured by the surveince cameras, a sudden realization washed
over him.
Without wasting another moment, he got up from his desk, walked out of the office, and retrieved the
phone one of the officers found in Gwendolyn’s car.
The phone had been severely damaged, smashed to bits.
Nheless, Cedrick was not ready to give up hope. Leaving the Federal Bureau of Investigation
behind, he set off to seek assistance from someone who lived in the basement, a skilled and
trustworthy repairman named Owen Hirst.
Handing the phone in a transparent stic bag to Owen, Cedrick asked, “Can you fix this?”
Owen put on his specialty gloves and carefully examined the shattered remains of the phone before
shaking his head regretfully. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Jenson. This phone is beyond repair. Even if I manage to
fix the physical parts, recovering the contents would be extremely difficult.”
Undeterred, Cedrick rified, “I don’t need you to fix the phone entirely. Just put the chip back together
and connect it to another disy screen so I can see the contents of the phone.”
Understanding his request, Owen nodded confidently. “That’s easy.”
“How long will it take for you to do it?”
“If everything goes smoothly, I’d say about two days.”
Cedrick frowned, his imposing demeanor evident as he ced a nk check on Owen’s table. “I don’t
care if you have to skip meals or burn the midnight oil, but I want it done by tomorrow afternoon.”
Owen’s eyes brightened at the sight of the nk check. “Don’t worry, Mr. Jenson. I’ll survive on coffee
and energy drinks tonight and get it done for you.”
Cedrick left his contact number and departed the basement at that.
Meanwhile, in theboratory’s ward, Zendaya gazed out of the window, her eyes fixated on the falling
raindrops.
Every now and then, she would reach out, trying to catch the droplets and engaging in her yful
game.
Without Cedrick around, there was no one to rein in her exuberance, and the ward resounded with the
infectious sound of her joyousughter.
As Zendaya’s joyousughter filled the ward, Benedict couldn’t shake off the feeling that something
was amiss.
Nico had returned to Harrick Vi to pack some clothes for Zendaya and Benedict as per Cedrick’s
request, preparing for their indefinite stay in theboratory.
Currently, Charles, Benedict, and Zendaya were the only upants of the ward.
Charles appeared distant, his cold demeanor leaving others unsure of what thoughts upied his
mind.
Benedict, sitting on the hospital bed, observed Charles coldly. “How can you space out while peeling an
apple, Charles? Is there anything else you can do?”
Jolted out of his thoughts by Benedict’sint, Charles identally cut his finger with the fruit knife
in his surprise.
He stared at his hand in shock, his expression now grave. The feeling that Cedrick was acting
strangely that night lingered. It felt as if he was hiding something from him.
“Charles?” Benedict blinked and focused on the blood on Charles’ finger. “Your blood is all over the
apple now.” He pouted.
Charles snapped back to reality and apologized, “I’m sorry.”
Benedict, however, had more pressing concerns on his mind than to hold a grudge against him. “What
happened to Daddy and Mommy? Why aren’t they here to visit us tonight? Why won’t they let us return
home? Did they run into any trouble?” he asked curiously.
Carefully tending to his injured finger with tissue papers, Charles replied, “I’m not too sure what
happened to them, but a lot of things have been happening around Salinsburghtely. It’s entirely
normal for Cedrick to be too busy to care about you two.”
Benedict fell silent as he contemted Charles’ response.
Meanwhile, Zendaya continued to sing and y by the window, her hands wet from the rain, yet in an
incredibly joyful mood.
Charles kept a watchful eye on her from a distance, concerned that she might catch a cold. He was
about to get up and reason with her to leave the window sill when his phone rang.
ncing at the screen, he saw that it was a call from Whitney.