No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

"This design is your boyfriend's work, right? Truly unique and stylish, matches your bracelet too," the saleswoman observed keenly. "Where's your boyfriend today? Is he coming to pick up this ring, or are you taking it for him?" she asked me again.

"I'll take it," I said, slipping the men's ring onto my thumb.

The saleswoman was momentarily taken aback by my action, then chuckled, "You know, it actually looks pretty good on you too." "Thanks!" I replied briefly, with the ring now in my possession.

Perhaps wearing two rings made me too conspicuous because as soon as I stepped out of the jewelry store, I felt eyes on me.

I spotted someone in the reflection of a car's rear-view mirror, but I didn't say anything. Instead, I let them follow me, thinking they might make a move. But they did nothing, silently tailing me for two days. This person wasn't after my money, and certainly not after me in any other way.

What were they after, then?

Only they could answer that, so I decided to turn the tables and follow them back to their hideout.

Jeremy looked taken aback when he spotted me, "Ms. Hudson, didn't expect to see you here."

"Well, shouldn't be so surprising, given Mr. Collins is in the loop about what I've been up to," I responded, earning a laugh from Jeremy.

"I meant no harm," Jeremy quickly added.

"Of course, otherwise we wouldn't be meeting here," I retorted. If he had intended harm, I would've called the police by now.

"It seems Ms. Hudson is here for a reason, right?" He was perceptive of my intention.

I nodded, "Stay away from Susie."

My demand surprised him, "Is that all? Anything else?"

"What else?" I feigned ignorance.

Even though I knew he had someone follow me, I didn't confront him about it.

Jeremy chuckled, thinking I was unaware of his actions, "I had no other intention in seeking out Susie, just trying to find out about Ernest."

"Didn't you already ask Yolande? She must've told you everything. What more is there to inquire?" I pressed him.

Jeremy stroked his chin, "Ernest, a whole person, just disappears without a trace? How can anyone believe that? You know the saying, 'no body, no crime,' right?"

I nodded, "There were ashes, but I buried them. Does Mr. Collins wish to exhume them for examination?"

Jeremy grimaced, "...No, that won't be necessary."

"Mr. Collins, if Ernest is truly gone, does that make you the heir to the Collins family?" My question caught him off guard.

He replied, "If I wanted the Collins family fortune, there would've never been an issue with Ernest. Ms. Hudson, you're barking up the wrong tree."

"Mr. Collins, you misunderstand. I

meant, with your noble heart leading

the Collins family, I'm sure it will

thrive even more," I flattered him,

leaving him momentarily confused.

I smiled, "Mr. Collins must be a good-hearted person."

His decision to have someone follow

me wasn't with ill intent. It was either for my protection or out of suspicion that Ernest wasn't dead and hoping to glean some information on his whereabouts from me.

As for which it was, I had to find out.

While chatting with him, I discreetly sent a message to Fanny, who replied with an OK. After wrapping up my chat with Jeremy, I made a beeline for the hospital where Fanny was.

Reaching the parking lot, I got out of the car, and suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, wrapping an arm around my neck and pressing something against it.