CHAPTER 237: CHAPTER 237: DEPARTURE

Jude shook his head: "I don’t know what to do either, Mommy was betrayed once before, and Dad, you deliberately upset her, you definitely won’t be able to coax her this time."

Given Seraphina Sinclair’s temper, not kicking Desmond Fairchild out again could already be considered polite.

The relationship between the two was at a standstill, even if Desmond tried to be attentive, Seraphina acted as if he didn’t exist.

Desmond wanted to explain, but things didn’t go as planned.

Jude being kidnapped was already a warning from Eric Holt, he had no choice but to temporarily leave Seraphina. Staring at the door to Seraphina’s room, Desmond was caught in a dilemma.

Letting go was something he was reluctant to do.

But not letting go, only he knew how dangerous it was for Seraphina.

Eric Holt, the kind of person who would do anything to achieve his goals, could do anything to defeat him.

So be it, it is what it is.

Thinking this, Desmond ruffled Jude’s hair and softly said, "Daddy won’t be coming to see you in the next few days, take good care of Mommy."

"Where are you going?" Jude frowned.

"Daddy has something important to do, so be good and stay at home, don’t go anywhere." Desmond looked at Jude worriedly.

Although smart, Jude was no match for Eric Holt, and staying at home was the only way to ensure his safety for now.

As for Seraphina, even if he told her not to go out, it would probably be in vain.

After leaving, Desmond instructed Quentin Jennings to discreetly protect Seraphina and Jude, then returned to the Fairchild Family.

Ever since there was Seraphina and Jude, Desmond had been returning to the Fairchild Family less and less.

Old Mrs. Fairchild rarely saw him return voluntarily and couldn’t help but tease him: "Our Young Master Fairchild is willing to come back and see this old lady?"

"Grandma." Desmond took off his coat and slowly sat down, saying in a low voice, "For the time being, don’t go to Azure Cloud Shores."

Old Mrs. Fairchild was instantly displeased upon hearing this: "What are you up to? Seraphina is not in good health, and my precious grandson is there too, why shouldn’t I go?"

"Not only shouldn’t you go to Azure Cloud Shores, it’s best if you don’t leave the house at all." After saying this, Desmond stood up, intending to go upstairs.

Old Mrs. Fairchild was not going to let him leave, and she blocked him, determined to get an explanation: "What do you mean? I thought you suddenly found your conscience to visit me, but it turns out you’re planning to keep me under house arrest?"

"It’s not what you think, I have my difficulties." Desmond was somewhat powerless; there were things he didn’t want to burden the old lady with, but he also understood that if he didn’t clarify, she wouldn’t let him leave just like that.

"Then what’s going on, tell me, maybe I can give you some advice." Old Mrs. Fairchild frowned; any issue that could trouble Desmond wouldn’t be simple.

Desmond hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to tell Old Mrs. Fairchild: "Eric Holt is back."

Old Mrs. Fairchild trembled all over, then immediately understood: "No wonder you’re telling me not to leave the house. I see. Eric Holt, that boy, was always jealous from a young age and was your sworn rival. He must have held a grudge since you sent him abroad, and now he’s back to cause trouble for you."

Even though Old Mrs. Fairchild was advanced in years, she wasn’t out of touch with reality.

She knew all too well the manipulations and schemes in wealthy families.

"I had anticipated his return, but there’s very little we have on him. We can’t act recklessly. Moreover..." Desmond paused for a few seconds, then continued, "He might not be alone."

"Without backing, how would he dare show himself?" Old Mrs. Fairchild saw the situation clearly and sighed, "It seems he returned not just for Cloudsea Group, but to take revenge on you and our family."

Old Mrs. Fairchild understood these truths, and so did Desmond.

He extinguished the cigarette between his fingers, his expression ambiguous.

After a long time, he finally said solemnly, "I need to go on a business trip for a while, please take care of yourself."

"Go ahead and don’t worry about me." Old Mrs. Fairchild said, suddenly reminding him, "Eric Holt is no easy character, you must be cautious."

"Mm." Desmond responded quietly.

He knew well enough that Eric Holt was no easy character. Otherwise, how could his appearance have caused so much turmoil already?

The next day.

Desmond left Bayside City.

He left quietly, Seraphina wasn’t even aware.

More than a week passed without any sign of Desmond. Seraphina found it strange but didn’t ask much.

She had said she didn’t want to see Desmond anymore, and now that he truly disappeared, she found herself unaccustomed to it.

"Seraphina! Why aren’t you answering my calls!" Rosalie Quinn stormed into Kevin’s CEO office, complaining to Seraphina, "Do you know I have something important, and you’re not even picking up my calls?"

Seraphina looked up from a pile of documents, her tone calm: "I was working, didn’t notice the phone, what’s up?"

"How can you even look at your phone? Do you know the news about you breaking up with Desmond Fairchild is already out?!" Rosalie was furious, her face turning beet red as she showed Seraphina her phone, "Look for yourself, what are we going to do now? If you and Desmond break up, the collaboration between Cloudsea Group and Kevin will be halted, and even the stocks will plummet. How can you be the boss if you don’t even check the news?!"

When she found out, she immediately called Seraphina, but Seraphina didn’t answer.

Upon hearing this, Seraphina glanced at Irene Rowe standing by, and asked seriously, "What’s going on?"

"BOSS, I was just about to tell you." Irene bit her red lips, initially intending to keep it from Seraphina, figuring it wasn’t good news. Telling her now would only upset her.

But Rosalie’s quick mouth left her no choice but to reveal it.

Seraphina sighed lightly and, after a few seconds, calmly instructed, "Initiate crisis PR and hold a press conference. I’ll address it personally."

"But BOSS, you and President Fairchild..." Irene paused, feeling it was inappropriate to continue, so she modified her question, "How do you plan to explain?"

"Explain it as it is." Mentioning Desmond made Seraphina’s expression darken.

Irene had no other choice but to follow Seraphina’s orders.

Even Rosalie didn’t expect Seraphina to handle things with such resolve and said, somewhat unbelievingly, "Are you going to publicly acknowledge your breakup with Desmond Fairchild? Seraphina, I advise you to think it through. If you haven’t talked things out, don’t act impulsively."

"I’ll find him to clear things up." Seraphina rose and walked past Rosalie, her delicate face showing signs of fatigue.

She was worn out over the past days, and if this was what Desmond wanted, she had no choice but to oblige.

Irene acted quickly; it wasn’t long before the press conference venue was arranged, and all media were notified.