Babel Novel
Chapter 965
Brittany let out a resigned sigh and made her way over, reaching out to take the wine glass from Charles’s hand. “Enough drinking already.”
Charles squinted at her. “You made it. You’ve really done me in this time!”
Confused, Brittany grabbed a glass and poured herself a half measure of wine. “Weren’t you in Imperial City?”
“Don’t even start. I couldn’t stomach that place any longer.” Charles looked pale as a ghost. “Stay clear of that Landon, will ya?”
Too clever by half.
Brittany propped her chin on her hand. “Is there something between you and Landon that I don’t know about?”
It was clear Charles had fled back home.
Charles’s eyes widened dramatically. “What… what nonsense are you spouting? I simply can’t stand pretentious prigs.”
Landon was a beast, having discovered her true identity, he nearly did her in. Had she not been quick on her feet, she would’ve been ruined.
Seeing Charles’s state, Brittany knew her guess was spot on. “Landon’s not that bad. If you really like him, I’ve got your back.”
Charles stubbornly retorted, “I’m a man. Bri, you’re not open to that kind of thing, are you?” To everyone else, she was one of the guys.
“But haven’t you always been like this?”
At first, Brittany struggled to accept it, but as time passed, she realized that Charles was inherently good-hearted and extremely helpful.
Charles shook her head. “Never mind, let’s talk business. You asked me to look into the Ulbricht family, right? I found out that after their bankruptcy, Estelle stayed in Craneville, and her brother took off.”
“Any idea where he might be?”
“Elijah Ulbricht is also in Craneville,” Charles said. “I also checked with William, and he confirmed that Elijah was the one who saved you back then.”
She paused. “But Elijah rarely makes public appearances. Besides the Ulbricht family, hardly anyone has seen him.”
Rumor had it Elijah was born disfigured, always hiding behind a mask. Later, he became a doctor and apparently had surgery to remove the scars on his face, but the habit of wearing a mask stuck.
“I see.”
Charles had knocked back quite a few drinks and eventually passed out on the table, unable to keep her eyes open.
Brittany sent a location pin to Isaac and waited roughly twenty minutes, guessing Isaac would soon arrive. She settled the tab and helped Charles out of the bar.
Charles was dead drunk, limp as a rag doll, slumped over Brittany’s shoulder, making it hard for her to breathe. As she struggled to support Charles, they were suddenly jostled hard.
The two nearly fell, and the person who bumped into them reached out to steady Brittany. “Sorry, are you okay… Bri, is that you?”
Hearing the familiar voice, Brittany looked up to see a face she hadn’t seen in ages.
“Hugh?”
She doubted her eyes for a moment, but the man before her was indeed Hugh, a senior from her college days. This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.
“It really is you, Hugh. What brings you to Craneville?”
“I’m working here in Craneville.” Hugh’s smile was warm as he noticed Brittany struggling with Charles. “Need a hand?”
“That’d be great.”
With Hugh’s help, they managed to get Charles out of the bar.
“Hugh, it’s been what, seven or eight years?”
“Yeah, I came to Craneville to work right after grad school.”
“Talk about fate.”
Hugh and William had been classmates, except William had been a star, shining bright, while she knew Hugh through a part-time job.
Word was Hugh came from a modest background, his tuition all covered by loans. He lived frugally throughout college, facing a lot of isolation due to his poor family background.
Reunited after so long, Brittany felt a touch of nostalgia.
Isaac’s car rolled up to the bar and saw a tall, well-built man chatting with Brittany. Instantly, a shadow seemed to fall across his face. He stepped out of the car and quickly approached Brittany. “Bri.”
“Zakky” Brittany’s eyes lit up.
“And who might this be?’ Isaac’s eyes held a hint of wariness.
“This is Hugh, a senior from my college, Brittany naturally took Isaac’s hand, ‘Hugh, this is my husband, Isaac