THE BILLIONAIRE STILL WANTS HER!
Chapter 141: About Tryson...

Chapter 141: About Tryson...

"We’re doing everything we can, but he’s still not answering, sir," Kelvin reported, his voice carrying a hint of urgency.

His eyes flickered toward Jude, who stood rigidly beside him, his jaw clenched and his fingers twitching as if resisting the urge to act immediately.

The weight of the situation pressed heavily on them, and Jude’s growing unease was impossible to ignore.

Ever since Tryson had confidently claimed to know Angel’s exact whereabouts, Jude had insisted on tagging along with Kelvin’s crew to retrieve him from the party.

But now, minutes had passed—agonizing, silent minutes—and there was still no sign of Tryson.

The absence gnawed at them, leaving a hollow feeling of dread creeping into their chests. Something was wrong. Something they weren’t seeing.

Kelvin, always methodical under pressure, decided to tap into the security cameras, hoping they would provide some kind of clue.

Meanwhile, Jude took the more direct approach, weaving through the bustling event center, his sharp gaze scanning the crowd.

A discreet earbud kept him connected to Kelvin, their voices a lifeline in the growing uncertainty.

Dressed to blend in, Jude’s attire seamlessly matched the luxurious atmosphere of the party—his disguise flawless, yet his mind solely fixated on the task at hand.

"Jude, I’ve found nothing," Kelvin’s voice crackled through the line, but before Jude could respond, something on the floor caught his attention.

His breath hitched slightly as he halted mid-step.

A familiar glint. A tiny but unmistakable object.

A deep frown formed on Jude’s face as he lowered his head, his heart pounding just a little harder. He bent down, carefully picking up the item, and his stomach twisted the moment he confirmed what it was.

Tryson’s watch. The same custom-designed watch he never went anywhere without.

Jude turned the piece over in his hand, inspecting it under the dim, flickering lights. The party was still in full swing, guests laughing and mingling, unaware of the tension settling in his bones.

If Tryson’s watch was here, that meant he had been here. But what could have possibly made him drop it?

A sinking feeling gripped Jude as he straightened up.

Bringing the watch close to his lips, he murmured into the phone, "Kelvin, I found something. Tryson’s watch was on the ground. That means he was definitely here."

Before Kelvin could respond, a voice—smooth yet laced with something unsettling—sliced through the air behind him.

"Is that you, Jude?"

Jude stiffened.

Slowly, he lowered his phone, his fingers tightening around it as he turned toward the speaker. His eyes narrowed as he took in the figure standing before him.

The man was wearing a masquerade mask identical to Jude’s own, concealing his identity just enough to stir an air of mystery.

"Pardon me?" Jude asked, his voice carefully controlled.

The man chuckled softly, the sound curling around the space between them like smoke. And then, with deliberate ease, he reached up, fingers grazing the edges of his mask before peeling it away.

Jude’s breath caught in his throat.

It was Alex.

"Alex?" Jude’s voice held a note of surprise, his eyes widening slightly at the unexpected reunion.

Alex, however, merely chuckled, his expression unreadable as he took a confident stride forward.

Without hesitation, he pulled Jude into a firm hug, the warmth of the gesture contrasting sharply with the tension buzzing in Jude’s veins.

"Oh, son," Alex said lightly, his tone carrying a friendly warmth. "What are you doing here? How did you even get an invite? I thought you were out of the country."

As Alex stepped back, his gaze traveled over Jude, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes as he took in the man who now stood taller than him.

Jude let out a small, controlled smile, but his mind remained sharp. Before speaking, he discreetly ended the call with Kelvin, slipping his phone into his pocket as he shifted his full attention to Alex.

"Actually, it was Tryson who invited me to the birthday party," Jude said smoothly. "I was planning to meet you another time, but it turns out fate had other plans."

Alex gave a thoughtful nod, his lips curving into a smirk, though something in his expression remained unreadable. "Oh wow, and yet Tryson never mentioned a word about your arrival. Strange."

"Yeah, he must have forgotten," Jude replied casually, though the weight of Tryson’s watch in his hand made his grip tighten slightly. "I actually came here looking for him. But it turns out he’s nowhere to be found."

As the words left his lips, the subtle glow from the watch’s reflective surface caught the light, drawing Alex’s attention.

His eyes flickered down to the item in Jude’s grasp, recognition flashing through them before he masked it with another easygoing smile.

Still, Jude didn’t miss it.

Alex held his smile, but the air between them shifted ever so slightly before he finally spoke again.

"Well, I did see Tryson a while ago," Alex said with an easygoing smile. "In fact, we were having a conversation before he stepped out. He must still be at the party somewhere." Then, with a cheerful tone, he gestured toward the lively crowd behind them. "You know what? Why don’t I take you for a drink first? There’s so much to enjoy tonight. Let’s make the most of it."

Alex took a step forward as if to guide Jude into the festivities, but before he could close the distance, Jude’s voice cut through the moment like a blade.

"That won’t be necessary, Alex." His tone was steady, unreadable, but there was a weight behind it. His gaze, sharp and unwavering, locked onto Alex. "You said you had a conversation with Tryson. That must’ve been about Angel, wasn’t it?"

The air between them shifted.

The charming smile that had rested so effortlessly on Alex’s face slowly faded, replaced by something far less inviting.

His expression hardened, his features settling into a cold, unreadable mask. A second passed—just long enough for Jude to notice the way Alex’s posture stiffened ever so slightly before he finally responded.

"Oh, so he told you about it," Alex said, his voice now devoid of its earlier warmth.

There was something laced beneath his words—something sharp, bitter. His eyes darkened, and for the first time that night, he wasn’t trying to hide the irritation bubbling beneath the surface.

"Yes, Alex," Jude answered, his voice firm. "He had to tell me eventually." A hint of disappointment crept into his tone, making his next words hit even harder. "I never thought you’d go this far. I never thought you’d push him like this."

A tense silence fell between them. The once-lively music in the background now felt distant, muffled by the unspoken weight of their conversation.

And just like that, the atmosphere of their reunion had completely changed.