Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 231

Finnian Fairchild didn't bother beating around the bush. "Any news on that matter I asked you to look into, Mr. Lancaster?"

It was about Felix Vaughn again. Hudson Lancaster knew exactly what he meant, though his expression remained unreadable. "Not yet."

Disappointment flashed across Finnian's face. "Any leads, then?"

Hudson took a sip of his bourbon, his tone indifferent. "I had my people scour all of San Francisco. We didn't find the person you're looking for. Are you certain they're even in the city?"

"I'm sure."

Hudson let out a soft chuckle, though the amusement didn't reach his eyes. "How can you be so sure? It's been over a decade. Their face and name could have completely changed. What makes you so positive they're hiding out in San Francisco?"

Finnian pressed his lips into a tight line. "That doesn't concern you. Just help me find them."

Hudson stared at him for a few seconds before breaking into a real smile. "Finnian, partnerships require a little transparency. If you won't even share your source with me, how am I supposed to help you? San Francisco might not be the biggest city in the world, but it's more than large enough to hide someone. If you want me to turn the place upside down, you have to at least point me in the right direction."

Finnian met his gaze head-on. "I can't disclose my source."

"Then you'll have to find someone else. I can't help you."

Their eyes locked in a silent standoff, neither man willing to yield an inch.

The tension in the room thickened, heavy and suffocating.

Sensing the impending explosion, Jude Winslow quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Alright, both of you need to cool down. It's rare for us to get together like this. Let's not ruin the mood over a minor disagreement."

He raised his glass toward Hudson. "Hudson, Finnian is just anxious. He's been searching for years, and now that he finally has a lead, he's a little on edge. Don't take it personally."

Hudson didn't clink his glass. Instead, he leaned back in his leather chair, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "It's been a few years, Jude, and now you're playing these games, too."

Jude's smile faltered.

By the time Jude hurried into the hall, Finnian was already at the end of the corridor.

"Finnian!" Jude called out. "What was that? We agreed to have a civilized conversation. Why did you just blow up?"

Finnian came to a halt. The flash of anger that had just consumed his features instantly vanished, leaving Jude completely stunned.

"You... were you just putting on an act?"

Finnian cast a sidelong glance at him. "You saw Hudson's attitude in there. He clearly knows about the Ring Laser Gyro Technology. If I had given him any more information and he decided he wanted it for himself, helping me find my person would be the last thing on his mind."

Jude's frown deepened. "Hudson isn't like that."

Finnian scoffed. "He's ruthlessly run the Lancaster empire for years. Have you ever known him to be merciful? He's decent to you because you aren't a threat to his bottom line. Try standing on the opposite side of his interests and see what happens. Do you really think he earned the nickname 'Butcher' for nothing?"