CEO Plus-Size Ex-Wife

Chapter 110: What If Valentine Anderson Find Out?

After ending the call, Andrea exited the mansion and made her way to her car, driving with purpose towards the airport. As she parked, her phone buzzed with a new text message, providing her with Lucas Anderson's whereabouts.

She was just processing this information when her phone started to ring again, and she saw Tony’s name flash on the screen. With a tap, she answered.

"Where are you?" Tony's voice was tense with worry.

"I'm at the airport, Tony. I'm going to find Lucas and bring him back," Andrea said with a determination that belied her inner turmoil.

Tony went silent for a moment, absorbing her words. Andrea could imagine his concern, given his reaction to her earlier declaration at the hospital, but she hadn't expected him to be quite so taken aback.

"Andrea, please, consider the consequences. If Valentine Anderson is out there, recovering in secret, how do you think he'll react to you swapping him with his brother? Don't rush into a decision you might regret," he implored, his anxiety evident.

Andrea felt a wave of doubt, but she clutched the phone tighter, reaffirming her resolution. Her son's life was on the line, and that was all that mattered.

"Tony, I can't let my son die," she said, her voice steady despite the uncertainty that plagued her. "I've made my decision."

Without waiting for a reply, Andrea ended the call. She gazed at her private jet, her expression fraught with nerves.

Despite the gravity of Tony’s words, Andrea's decision was irrevocable. She briskly conversed with the pilots, giving them Lucas Anderson's location, and then boarded the jet.

Minutes after the jet soared into the skies from the airport, a journey of over six hours ensued. Upon Andrea's arrival at the city where Lucas Anderson resided, the horizon was already painted with the hues of dusk.

"Mrs. Singers, shall I drive you to your hotel?" inquired the chauffeur, assigned by the local Singers Group management, with a tentative tone.

Andrea pondered for a moment before responding, "No, take me to this address instead," and handed over a piece of paper with the details of Lucas Anderson's neighborhood and the bar where he was employed.

Upon reading the address, the chauffeur's eyes grew wide with astonishment. After a brief pause, he asked, somewhat incredulously, "Mrs. Singers, are you certain this is the correct location?"

A frown creased Andrea's brow as she questioned, "What makes you think otherwise?"

Swallowing hard, the chauffeur nervously explained, "Mrs. Singers, the area this address points to—it's quite deprived. It's infamous for accounting for eighty percent of the city's robberies. It's essentially a ghetto, and the reputation of the people there is... not the best..."

He trailed off, catching the stern look darkening Andrea's features. With a glare, she sharply inquired, "Do you consider yourself superior to them?"

The chauffeur internally chastised himself for his loose tongue, feeling sweat bead on his forehead as he hastily tried to recover, stammering, "No, no, not at all, I just meant—"

"Drive me to the location," Andrea cut in, her tone brooking no argument and clearly indicating her impatience.

As Andrea settled into the car, the chauffeur let out a silent sigh of relief and silently made the sign of the cross, grateful he didn't lose his job.

Seated behind the wheel, he resolved to adopt a more passive role in the conversation, opting to listen over speaking.

He ignited the engine and steered the vehicle toward the destination Andrea had provided. Glancing at the rearview mirror, he anticipated her directions on where exactly to stop, but she remained silent.

With each passing minute, his nervousness grew. It was suddenly interrupted by Andrea's clear command: "Stop the car."

He promptly pressed the brake, bringing the vehicle to a standstill. A sigh of relief escaped him as he mopped the sweat from his brow.

Andrea, seated in the back, was observing a cheerful scene: a cluster of children surrounding Lucas Anderson, who was distributing steaks. Their innocent pleas of "Uncle Lucas, give me one" were met with generosity as they received their treats, their faces lighting up with joy. Unconsciously, Andrea's lips curved into a smile, envisioning a similar scene with Lucas and Pete, enjoying steaks in simple happiness.

The chauffeur, catching glimpses of Andrea's reactions in the rearview mirror, was perplexed by the source of her amusement.

His gaze followed hers and landed on Lucas Anderson and an elderly man approaching the car, deep in discussion. The car's tinted windows shielded its occupants from outside view, keeping Andrea and the chauffeur invisible to Lucas and the man he conversed with.

"Lucas, the school's construction you funded for the community is complete, and the families of those children you've given scholarships to are all inquiring about you. They wish to express their gratitude, and the media are also on the lookout; they're eager to feature the benefactor who's made such a positive impact on these young lives and the neighborhood," the elder, known as Old Krane, was saying.

Despite the praise, Lucas's expression was unreadable, his demeanor as stoic as if he were detached from the deeds Old Krane recounted.

"There's no need for accolades, Old Krane. I simply wanted these kids to have the opportunities for a better childhood," he replied, his voice even and serene.

Old Krane exhaled in a mix of admiration and disbelief. In an era where fame and recognition were often sought after, Lucas's reluctance to capitalize on his good deeds was remarkable.

"If ever you reconsider, you'll let me know," Old Krane said, accepting Lucas's stance.

Recently, the mayor had extended an invitation to Lucas, which he had declined without a second thought.

Lucas suddenly halted, causing Old Krane to follow suit and regard him quizzically.

"What's wrong? Why did you stop?" asked Old Krane.

Lucas's eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced toward Andrea's car, then shook his head, "Nothing, let's continue."

They moved on, leaving the car behind. Andrea, who had overheard their conversation, felt a mix of surprise and contemplation. Lucas had accomplished so much in the short time since they had parted ways.

"Drive," she directed the chauffeur.

The chauffeur was already aware that Andrea wanted him to drive her to the hotel where she would be staying. Upon entering her booked hotel room, Andrea found the information she had requested from her secretary at Singers Group in the City.

As she flipped through the pages detailing Lucas Anderson's activities during the past few days in the neighborhood, Andrea sighed in admiration.

Checking her wristwatch, she noted that it was about time. "He should be leaving the bar within the next twenty minutes," she mumbled.