Chapter 773


    Cedrick lowered his gaze and stroked his son’s head while saying seriously, “Keep Gwenny’s


    disappearance a secret for now. I don’t want it to cause panic in Salinsburgh. Besides, I’ve arranged for


    Swain to conduct aprehensive investigation on this matter. So far, there are two phones found,


    and their data are getting recovered. We’ll be getting some results tomorrow.”


    Even though he was feeling conflicted, he still did a great job in nning all of that.


    Charles listened silently and mulled over it before saying, “So you’re nning to wait until tomorrow


    morning? For the results?”


    Cedrick said nothing, but his silence was a tacit agreement to Charles’ words.


    It had been a long night, and investigation results needed time to be produced. Not to mention the


    other party had many tricks up their sleeves and were familiar with Salinsburgh. They could hide


    themselves perfectly without making any mistakes.


    Waiting was all he could do.


    Charles’ expression grew more solemn when he saw Cedrick falling silent.


    The paper in his hands was getting crumpled as he endured his emotions in silence.


    He could not remain there without doing anything when there was a possibility of Gwendolyn already


    hurt.


    Charles was not as patient as Cedrick.


    At that, Charles stood up, put down the report, and turned around to leave.


    Puzzled by Charles’ sudden actions, Nico called out, “Charles! It’s midnight, and there isn’t much that


    can be done. What are you trying to do?”


    Charles halted and said in a determined tone without turning around, “To have one more person


    involved means we’ll have one more solution. Since Cedrick wants to investigate the matterwfully, I’ll


    do it the other way.”


    With that, he marched out of the room, leaving the door to close behind him with a thud.


    Just like that, the office fell intoplete silence.


    Cedrick focused on watching over the children, his gaze dark and inscrutable.


    Although Cedrick did not me himself in public, Nico, who had been working with the former for over


    ten years, knew him well to understand what he was feeling.


    Having no intent of exposing his superior, Nico got up, straightened his clothes, and said seriously,


    “Cedrick, you’ve had a long night and have been drinking. You should get some rest and not burn


    yourself out. You’re still needed to take care of the children. I’ll go look for Swain and work with him to


    speed up the investigation.”


    Cedrick merely pursed his lips and nodded in response, suppressing the overwhelming despondency


    he was feeling.


    Soon, the next day arrived.


    Cedrick had only gotten two hours of sleep because Benedict had to be taken to theboratory for his


    IV therapy. Hence, he helped the children wash up on time.


    When they were ready, Cedrick got a police officer to deliver breakfast from the Federal Bureau of


    Investigation’s cafeteria and then fed the children patiently.


    However, Zendaya had only taken two sips of the soy milk when she frowned and stuck her tongue out.


    “Daddy, the food here is horrible. I still like your cooking better.”


    s, thements only fell on deaf ears. Cedrick ate his food as if he was on autopilot; he had not


    registered a single word Zendaya said.


    “Daddy?” Zendaya called out, her head tilted in confusion. Just then, Benedict stopped her.


    “Don’t be picky. You’re lucky to have food to eat. Didn’t you hear what Daddy saidst night? Mommy


    and Daddy will be busy for the next few days, and they won’t be avable to take care of us. Let’s be


    more sensible and not give Daddy any more trouble.”


    “Oh… Okay.”


    Zendaya pouted unhappily and picked up her fork to continue eating. From then on, she did not


    comment about the food.


    Not sleeping well the whole night had given Cedrick a terribleplexion and obvious dark circles


    under his eyes.


    The sight made Benedict feel bad, so he gave his father his fried egg.


    “Daddy, I don’t feel like eating eggs. The IV drips messed up my appetite. I only feel like drinking water


    now. Can you help me eat it?”


    Snapping back to reality, Cedrick patted his son’s head and asked, “Are you feeling unwell? Do you


    feel nauseous?”


    Benedict shook his head. “I’m okay. I just can’t eat the egg because of the smell, but I don’t want to


    waste it. You should eat more.”


    “Okay.” Cedrick smiled and ate the egg he got from Benedict.


    After breakfast, Cedrick brought the children to theb.


    “Zendy, I’ve applied for a few days of leave for you at your kindergarten. Could you keep Benny


    company at theb for the next few days?”


    Zendaya, who sat obediently in the high chair, bobbed her head. “Okay. I’ll take care of Benny.”


    Once they entered the ward, Joshua entered with a medical tray to give Benedict the IV fluids.


    Meanwhile, Zendaya sat beside the bed, reading her storybook.


    Cedrick, too, stood by the bed, but his mind soon wandered off as he watched his son get his fluids.


    As if reading the man’s mind, Benedict looked up and said decisively, “Daddy, I’ll be fine with Zendy


    here. You still have a lot of work, right? You can go. I’ll take good care of Zendy and me. We’ll stay here


    and not make you worry.”


    The boy was only five years old, yet he was thoughtful and great at studying a person’s expression.


    Cedrick could not be prouder of his son, and he bent forward to nt a kiss on the former’s forehead.


    “Be a good boy, Benny. I’lle over at night.”


    Smiling, Benedict waved at the man. “Go on. I’ll wait for you tonight.”


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    Right then, Zendaya put down her storybook and pointed at her face, saying, “Daddy, I want a kiss on


    the cheek, too.”


    Of course, Cedrick walked over and kissed her gently on the cheek. To his surprise, the little girl


    wrapped her arms around his neck and forcefully nted a few kisses on his face.


    “I know you’re busy with work. I’ll be a good girl and do my best not to cause you any trouble.”


    Although it did not sound exactly promising, it was not easy for a troublemaker like her to make such a


    promise.


    The children’s reassurance filled Cedrick’s heart with warmth. Even tears began to well in his eyes.


    Holding back his tears, Cedrick gave a few reminders calmly and got up to leave.


    Joshua, too, walked out with Cedrick. When they were out of earshot, thetter said softly, “I really


    don’t have extra energy to spare these days. Please watch the kids for me when I’m not around.”


    Ever since Charles found out that Gwendolyn was missing, he, too, disappeared. There was no news


    from him, nor did he return to the Newton residence.


    On the other hand, Nico, Neville, and Swain had been busy working on a huge case in Salinsburgh.


    Hence, Joshua was the only person Cedrick could rely on to take care of the children.


    Joshua promised, “Don’t worry, Cedrick. I’ve just finished medical research, so I’ll be free for a few


    days. You can leave Benny and Zendy to me. I’ll take good care of them.”


    Now that he had his friend’s promise, Cedrick patted the former firmly on the shoulder and drove to the


    Federal Bureau of Investigation without wasting another second.


    In the ward, Benedict had turned his head to look at the leaves rustling outside the window; his childish


    features tensed to form a stern expression like Cedrick’s.


    Before he dozed off to sleep the previous night, he vaguely heard the conversation between Cedrick,


    Charles, and Nico.


    That was when he found out that his mother had gone missing and that her absence from the Harris


    residence was not because of her busy schedule.


    Benedict knew how upset Cedrick was feeling at the moment, so he did not want to drag thetter


    down.


    I need to let Daddy carry out the investigation without worrying about anything else. That way, he’ll find


    Mommy sooner.


    Meanwhile, Zendaya sat at the foot of the bed, focused on reading a storybook. There was an innocent


    look on her face as if nothing concerned her other than having fun.


    Just then, Benedict took an orange from the table and offered it to her. “Didn’t you say the breakfast


    was horrible? This is sweet. You’ll be full after having some.”


    After leaving theb, Cedrick sped off to look for Owen, the repairman.


    At the same time, Owen was focused on repairing the phone Cedrick brought to him.


    In fact, it was almost done. There were a few steps left until Owen could try turning on the device.


    Hence, Cedrick sat patiently in the corner for ten minutes so the man could focus on his job.


    “Mr. Jenson, it’s done.”


    Owen handed over the phone he managed to piece together with a look of pride. “It’s quite damaged,


    but fortunately, the data chip is intact. I changed the screen and some hardware. It can’t be restored


    completely, but you can still browse the original information on the phone.”


    Immediately, Cedrick took the phone and opened the contacts list.


    Fortunately, thetest call log was retained. What caught Cedrick’s attention was the suspicious call log


    between the phone’s owner and two seemingly in unknown numbers.


    The calls were not frequent, but they alwayssted for more than five minutes.