“W-What happened to you?”
Charlotte could sense that something was off, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint it.
“I am dealing with some issues in the headquarter in M Nation now,” replied Zachary grimly, “I got some minor injuries.”
“Are you okay?”
Charlotte frowned deeply. She remembered how Zachary was literally stabbed in the back. That cut was deep, but he never even moaned when they stitched him back together. His voice right now suggests that it is not a minor injury at all.
“Are you worried about me?” asked Zachary softly.
“The kids are,” replied Charlotte, who instantly became annoyed. She handed the phone over to Robbie and informed him, “It’s your daddy.”
Robbie took the phone right away and greeted excitedly, “Daddy!”
“Robbie.”
It had been a while since Zachary heard his son’s voice. Hearing Robbie calling him Daddy made him feel all better. It felt like the pain he was enduring suddenly eased up.
“Daddy, are you okay?” asked Robbie in a worried tone, “Why did you turn your phone off? I couldn’t find you for a while. What happened?”
“I have been working in M Nation and can’t get to my phone,” replied Zachary sweetly, “It’s getting colder in Xendale. Are you and Ellie adapting well there? How is her treatment going?”
“Ellie and I are fine. She’s recovering well, too…”
Robbie spoke discreetly and left out the part where they were in F Nation at that moment.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Robbie, is that Daddy?” asked Ellie, who saw them and hurried over to request, “I want to talk to him too.”
Robbie handed the phone over, and Ellie shouted into it immediately after. “Daddy, Daddy!”
“Ellie…”
“Daddy,” said Ellie. She couldn’t help sobbing a little as soon as she heard her dad’s voice. She shared, “I miss you so much, Daddy. Why didn’t you call us?”
“Be good, Ellie. I miss you too,” cooed Zachary softly, “I have been working in M Nation, so I couldn’t get to my phone.”
“You truly frightened me. Robbie and I were so worried about you and thought that something bad might’ve happened,” replied Ellie as she wiped her tears away.
“Silly kid. Daddy is fine. It’s cold in Xendale, so remember to put on thicker coats to stay warm, okay? That way, you won’t catch a cold. I will go pick you up as soon as you recover.”
“We’re not in Xendale now, Daddy. We’re in Arkfield. It’s so pretty here, and the vineyard is so big…”
Ellie got excited the second the topic involved the manor. She neglected the warning that Robbie was signaling with his eyes and kept talking.
“Dr. Felch and I went to the winery and the vineyard today. We picked so many grapes, and they are so sweet. We also went to the pasture…”
“Ellie,” interrupted Robbie, “Let me talk to Daddy.”
“Okay,” murmured Ellie before she returned the phone unwillingly.
“Be good, Ellie, and go play with the others,” cooed Charlotte to get Ellie to leave.
“Daddy, are you really okay?” asked Robbie softly.
“I’m fine,” promised Zachary, “Don’t worry. I promised I’d go to you when that day comes, and I will keep that promise.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Hand the phone back to your mommy,” instructed Zachary.
“Okay,” replied Robbie before he handed the phone to Charlotte. He looked a little worried at the time.
“Go play with the others,” cooed Charlotte as she stroked Robbie’s tiny head.
“Okay,” muttered Robbie before he left quietly.
“What?” asked Charlotte to get right to the point.
“Why did you go to F Nation?” asked Zachary, who was being just as direct.
“What does that have to do with you?” challenged Charlotte icily.
Zachary took a deep breath like he was trying his best to suppress something. He forced himself to calm down as much as possible before he made his offer.
“You can come back to H City if things are bad in Erihal. My men will protect everyone, and you didn’t need to travel all the way to F Nation. The Laurent family might be royalty, but they are inexperienced in dealing with hooligans…”
“Enough,” interrupted Charlotte, “Danrique sent some men to protect us, so there is no need for you to worry. I’ll hang up now if there is nothing else you’d like to share.”
