From His Ex-Wife to the World's Most Sought-After Restorer (Jade and Hudson) novel Chapter 272

The phone on the nightstand vibrated, breaking the heavy silence. Hudson sat up, his expression going flat as he wiped his face and answered.

An unfamiliar voice boomed through the receiver.

"Walter? This is Lyndon Spenser. I've got Amara and her brat. If you ever want to see them again, you bring $100 million to the coastal docks by tomorrow morning. If you call the cops or try to play hero, I'll end them both."

Hudson leaned back against the cold wall, his thumb tracing the edge of the phone.

Recalling the chaos of the last few weeks, a dark, heavy shadow settled in his eyes.

"I'll have the money ready."

The line went dead with a sharp click.

Outside the door, Jade had been about to enter with a glass of water.

Hearing the exchange, she quietly pulled the door shut and stepped away.

She ran into Kevin in the hallway and handed him the glass.

"Kevin, take care of him. I'm heading back."

Kevin took the glass, standing as stiff as a board. He didn't react until Jade was halfway down the hall.

"Wait! Ma'am!" he called out, rushing after her. "The boss... he needs you. He won't be happy if I'm the one who walks in there."

He knew exactly how much pressure he'd be under if he had to face Hudson alone right now.

"I'm done here," Jade said flatly. She pressed the elevator button and stepped inside the second the doors slid open.

Kevin was left silent.

He watched the numbers descend, then braced himself and pushed into the hospital room.

At the sound of the door, Hudson looked up sharply. Seeing it was Kevin, his face darkened instantly.

"Where is she?"

Kevin knew this was coming. He scrambled for a save, holding out the water like a peace offering.

"The Ma'am got this for you before she had to leave."

Hudson's hand, which had been about to wave him away, froze. He took the glass and took a slow sip.

"Where did she go?"

Kevin lowered his head. "She's gone back to the studio, sir."

Hudson didn't explode. In fact, he didn't say anything at all.

Kevin ventured a glance. Hudson was staring at the water, a faint, genuine smile touching his lips. He looked almost... happy.

Kevin's lip twitched.

She just got him a glass of water... and he's acting like he won the lottery.

—

Jade arrived back at her studio to find a broad-shouldered figure standing by the entrance.

He looked powerful, radiating a quiet, commanding energy that reminded her of a lion.

"Bastian?" she asked, walking toward him. "I thought you were busy."

They walked into the studio, one after the other.

Minutes later, Katherine, a woman in a white coat arrived, nodding respectfully to Bastian.

"Sir."

Bastian didn't acknowledge her immediately. He leaned in toward Jade, his voice a low, gentle rumble.

"The doctor is here. Let her check your shoulder. I won't be able to sleep if I don't know you're okay."

The doctor, Katherine, gave Bastian a look of pure shock.

The boss... being gentle? Attentive? Is this a parallel universe?

Jade saw the doctor and knew she couldn't refuse without making a scene. Her shoulder was throbbing from where Hudson had pinned her. She agreed to the exam.

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

Katherine snapped out of her daze. "Of course, ma'am. Right this way."

Jade led the doctor to the back room and slipped her shirt off.

Across her pale, cream-colored skin, several angry purple bruises were already blooming.

Katherine looked horrified. "Did he do this?"

Jade shook her head quickly. "No, it wasn't him. And please... don't tell him about this, okay?"

It wasn't worth the drama. She didn't want anyone else worrying about her.