From His Ex-Wife to the World's Most Sought-After Restorer (Jade and Hudson) novel Chapter 243

"Mrs. Gable!" Jade said, looking down at the sobbing woman. She pulled out her phone and dialed the police, explaining the situation clearly. She grabbed the woman's arm and hauled her back to her feet.

"Mrs. Gable, you were there on opening day. You saw those manuscripts. You know some are worth $50,000, and others are worth over a million. You destroyed a client's property for ten grand. You should have thought about the consequences. This isn't a small mistake—I'm not letting this go."

The woman started to mutter, a note of resentment creeping into her voice.

"But... it was just one page."

In the world of high-end restoration, the value is in the completeness.

A missing page meant the manuscript was defaced. Worse, it could strip the piece of its entire collector's value, rendering the whole book worthless.

Jade knew the woman didn't understand the craft, but she'd used Jade's business for her own gain. That was unforgivable.

"You can explain that to the police."

—

High-end private hospital.

Hudson Walter was propped up against his pillows, a laptop on his knees as he worked through files.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

He checked the caller ID. Amara. He answered immediately.

"Amara? What—"

"Hudson... sob... Hudson..."

Amara's quiet sobbing came through the phone.

Hudson's voice softened instinctively. "I'm here. Tell me what's wrong. Take your time."

"The police... they're at my house. They say... they say I bribed someone to destroy a book at Ms. Merchant's studio. But... Hudson, I would never do that..."

Jade again?

He'd warned her to leave Amara alone.

What was she trying to pull now?

Hudson threw back the covers and stood up, ignoring the twinge of pain.

"Don't worry. I'm coming to you."

At the precinct.

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