Chapter 5

PRUDENCE received a piece of news from the house of Whitewoods. She had been summoned by Chase’s parents for an urgent matter.

She looked at the clock hanging by the living room’s wall. It was already nine-quarter in the morning, and her chauffeur hadn’t come to pick her up yet. She could’ve gone to their estate by herself, but Francis Whitewood wouldn’t allow that. Prudence had been treated like royalty since she became Chase’s fiancée. She could’ve enjoyed it only if she wasn’t—

She was suddenly pulled out of her reverie when her phone suddenly vibrated. It startled her a bit because it was lying above the mahogany drawer. She got a call from an unknown number, but she knew very well who was calling her. It was her burner phone, and there was only one person who could contact her through that.

Prudence cleared her throat and picked up the phone.

“Boss,” she said upon answering the call.

“I’ve been waiting for your call since yesterday. Still haven’t heard from them?” her boss on the other line. He sounded impatient, just like he always does.

“I received a summon from the Whitewoods. They want to see me for an urgent matter. I guess this is it,” she informed him in the most nonchalant tone.

“Great. Call me as soon as you hear about it.”

The call ended.

Prudence clenched her hand against the phone before shoving it inside the drawer and locking it afterward. She then sauntered to the kitchen and made herself a cup of coffee. But even before she could have a sip, she heard a revving car in front of her house, and soon after that, she heard consecutive honks.

She strode out of the kitchen and grabbed her bag from the sofa.

Men in black suits were standing at her doorstep when she got out. She was then escorted to a luxurious Audi waiting for her. One of the men opened the door to the backseat.

“How many times do I have to tell you that you have to ring my doorbell to announce your—”

“My apologies for that, Miss,” the one holding the door for her said. “He’s new.”

She scowled and got inside the car.

CYNTHIA Whitewood, Chase’s mother, was crying when she arrived at the estate. Beside her was Ruth, the youngest of the Whitewood siblings, comforting her mother.

Prudence immediately rushed to them and crouched in front of her fiancé’s weeping mother.

“Cynthia, what happened?” she asked calmly despite having the idea.

“Oh, Prudence… I’m glad you’re finally here, dear,” Cynthia countered as she pulled her for an embrace.

She let the crying mother embrace her. It seemed that she wouldn’t stop crying. But then, the father arrived in the parlor after a few moments.

“Prudence,” he greeted her calmly.

Franklin Whitewood always seemed composed no matter what the situation was. She had seen him like that as he dealt with the toughest problems that came to his family. Perhaps it was one of the characteristics of the head of a patriarchal household. Aside from being calm, his approach to the problems was well-planned, no matter how critical it was.

“Franklin,” she greeted back with a nod.

“I’m glad you’re able to come here with such short notice.”

“Fortunately, I’m not that busy today, and I was able to reschedule some of my appointments.” She rose to her feet so she could face him properly. “What’s the urgent matter? I’ve been anxious since I got the call from one of you men.”

“Your fiancé had gone missing since Sunday this week.” Franklin strode to the chair next to his wife and sat with his legs crossed. “We can’t reach him, and worst he wasn’t able to board his private plane.”

Her eyes widened.

“W-what?” Prudence clenched her hands against the hem of her dress. “I-if Chase had been missing for almost a week now, could that also mean that he’s dead?”

Cynthia wept again after hearing what she had just said.

“Ruth, take your mother to our room, please,” Franklin told his daughter.

“Yes, Dad.”

Ruth immediately did what she was told. Now it was just her and Franklin inside the parlor.

“Is he dead, Franklin?”

Oh, she hoped not. That would be terrible news if he was dead because that would also end her job, and things would be hard for her if she ever lost her position in their family.

“We don’t know yet,” his voice was low. “But let’s hope not. Chase would be a big loss not just to us but to the whole house of Whitewood. He’s my first-born….”

She saw how Franklin gnashed his teeth with the thought of his son’s death. Of course, that would hurt so much because Chase was more than a million for his father, especially when he held the vital role.

“D-does my family know about this?”

“I haven’t told them. And I’m afraid I couldn’t” Franklin heaved a deep sigh. “I don’t know how your family would react to this, Prudence. You’ve been facing quite a chaos lately since your father fell into a coma. Your uncle might think we’re backing off with your engagement if we tell them about this.”

“So, what’s your plan now? Will you keep this a secret from my family until Chase is found?”

“I have a proposal for you. If you agree, then we wouldn’t have a problem here.” He looked at her intently.

Was he planning to bribe her?

“Let me hear about it first.”

“We won’t inform your family that Chase’s missing, and you’ll be married to my second son instead.”

“J-Julian?” Her brows furrowed.

“Yes. Julian’s just like his brother, Prudence. You two will be a good match, too. And besides, the engagement isn’t just about you and Chase. It’s all about the Whitewoods and the Crosses.”

It took her a few more moments to process. Franklin’s proposal wasn’t that terrible, anyway. It was more like a win-win situation for both sides.

“It’s not a problem for me. But how about Julian?”

“You don’t need to worry about him, Prudence.” He smirked. “Julian’s well aware of his role in this family. He wouldn’t say no. I can guarantee you that. So… do you agree or not?”

“I agree….”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Franklin let out a sigh of relief. “I expect you to spend time with Julian from now on, so the two of you can get to know each other.”

“Of course I will.”

“Well, then…” He gestured in the direction of the door.

Prudence gave him a quick nod and exited the parlor without looking back. However, she went straight outside the mansion and asked the chauffeur to take her home instead of meeting Julian. She needed to report first.