Chapter 9 Must Find Her!
931 Words
Chapter 9 Must Find Her!
The unexpected intrusion shocked the audience, leaving everyone clueless as to what was happening.
At that moment, the concert hall's PA system came to life. "Ladies and gentlemen, please remain calm. There's just a minor accident that's come up. We need everyone to stay quiet and not leave their seats. You'll be able to exit the venue once the inspection is over."
Though the audience was disgruntled, the imposing presence of the bodyguards made them think twice about voicing their complaints. They muttered under their breaths and reluctantly settled back into their seats.
Ashley, too, was taken aback. She looked around in confusion and caught sight of a man walking in through the main entrance with an air of high confidence. She nearly jumped out of her skin.
Why was it Hanson?!
Hanson was dressed in a casual light grey suit without a tie, the top two buttons of his shirt undone, revealing a glimpse of his bronze, muscular, and powerful chest. His hair was immaculately styled without gel, his fringe lightly touching his forehead, softening the usual sharpness of his facial features. Gone was the customary stern coldness, replaced with an unexpected sexy and gentle charm.
So the address Kasen had sent was the concert hall!
Ashley was shocked. She couldn't figure out why Hanson would suddenly show up here, bringing so many people with him, almost as if he were on a manhunt.
Watching Hanson stride with authority into the concert hall, Ashley suddenly realized she was dressed in women's clothing! Panicked, she quickly went behind Olivia to hide.
Once inside the hall, Hanson began making calls. All the bodyguards were accounted for except for Ashley. He wasn't sure why, but he hoped she was close by.
Moreover, to chase that lady in red, he had abruptly hung up on Ashley. A boss like him would never apologize; making a call back was his way of smoothing things over.
The concert hall was now dead quiet. Ashley had turned off the silent mode on her phone right after the performance, and now her ringtone echoed loudly through the space.
Startled, Ashley clumsily silenced her phone.
Ashley dared to hang up on him?!
That was some nerve!
Hanson's eyebrows furrowed in displeasure.
He seemed to have heard Ashley's ringtone just now, and on instinct, he started scanning the area where the sound had come from.
Ashley was sweating bullets and swiftly ducked under her seat.
Olivia was startled, too, and quickly moved to shield Ashley.
With a slightly stern expression, Hanson scanned in Ashley's direction and soon spotted Olivia. He walked toward her with determined steps.
Olivia immediately stiffened and stood up straight.
"Ms. Sanford? You're here too?" Olivia, Justin's granddaughter, had met Hanson on several occasions.
Hanson was pretty sure the ringtone had come from somewhere nearby, but he didn't see Ashley around.
Hidden under the seat, Ashley could hear Hanson's voice just above her head, which made a cold sweat break on her forehead. She curled up as small as possible, gripping her phone so tightly and barely daring to breathe.
Olivia took a deep, discreet breath and tried to appear calm as she said, "Mr. Gardner, my grandfather is waiting for me to get home. Could you please take your bodyguards out?"
"Just a minute, we'll be done soon," Hanson replied casually and politely and redialed Ashley's number.
Under the seat, Ashley saw her phone screen light up and, with the fastest reflex she had ever mustered, ended the call before immediately switching her phone to mute.
After these quick actions, Ashley realized just how much her hands were shaking. She couldn't understand why Hanson had lost it today, why he'd come to the concert hall of all places, and gone all out in locking down every exit.
But no matter what, she just couldn't let him see her in a dress!
Seeing his call rejected by Ashley once again, Hanson's face went as dark as a charred skillet.
Ashley was getting bolder, actually hanging up on him twice! His payment must be deducted!
The more Hanson thought about it, the angrier he got, and he didn't bother with Olivia any longer. Instead, he turned around and started commanding his bodyguards to search the place.
Listening to Hanson's footsteps fading away, Ashley let out a long sigh of relief beneath the seat.
Scared out of her wits, Olivia plunked back down into her seat and whispered to Ashley, "What do we do now? What in the world is Hanson trying to do?"
Ashley didn't have a clue, either. After thinking for a bit, she sneakily texted Kasen to ask what was going on.
When she saw the response about a search for a lady in a red dress, Ashley instantly understood.
Hanson was actually looking for her!
She remembered telling Hanson that she, in her female clothing, was the one who had the one-night fling with him. Ashley suddenly pieced together everything.
Ashley was kicking herself for wearing that red dress. If she hadn't, she wouldn't be in this mess.
With Hanson closing in for the search, Ashley's heart raced with panic. If Hanson discovered her true identity, all her efforts would be wasted!
She would lose not only her hefty paycheck but the chance to investigate Larry's case. And considering how suspicious Hanson was by nature, he would surely think she had an ulterior motive for sticking so close to him!
Just as Ashley was sweating bullets over her predicament, a stroke of genius hit her. Suddenly, she had a plan...
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