Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 401

Finnian kept his lips pressed in a tight line, saying nothing.

Hudson didn't rush him. He picked up another apple slice, eating it with agonizing slowness.

He wasn't the one begging for a favor today, so naturally, he wasn't the one in a hurry.

A heavy silence stretched across the hospital room before Finnian finally spoke. "I tracked down an old belonging. Following that trail, I discovered the item was smuggled out through San Francisco..."

"That doesn't mean the person is in San Francisco."

Finnian furrowed his brow, clearly feeling Hudson was being entirely too talkative.

Hudson wasn't intimidated in the slightest. "I'm just stating facts," he said coolly. "Assuming she's in San Francisco based on a single old trinket is a massive leap, Finnian."

Finnian's frown deepened. Clearly unwilling to waste more breath on a debate, he changed the subject. "Let's drop that for now. You'll help me look for my sister, won't you?"

"Your sister?" Hudson popped another piece of apple into his mouth. "She's in San Francisco too?"

"That's exactly why I'm asking for your help. I've searched the entire world for years. San Francisco is just another spot on the map to comb through."

Hudson nodded, neither agreeing nor refusing.

As far as he was concerned, the Fairchild family had been searching for this missing heiress for years.

The odds of her being dead were infinitely higher than the odds of her being found alive.

Still, he understood that as family, Finnian would never give up hope.

"Any distinguishing features?"

Finnian pulled a photograph from his pocket and handed it over.

It was a picture of an absolutely radiant little girl. She looked about two or three years old, with huge, round eyes, her hair tied in two little pigtails, smiling so brightly her eyes formed little crescents.

Even at such a tender age, it was obvious she had stunning features. She was a natural beauty in the making.

Hudson took the photo, zoning out for a split second.

Suddenly, his mind flashed back to those AI-generated baby pictures Nora had shown him a few days ago.

She had told him they were created using photos of the two of them.

Normally, she wouldn't be worried.

But things were different now. Hudson had just been in a car wreck; she wasn't sure if he'd be at a disadvantage.

As Nora lingered by the door, Jude seemed to sense someone approaching. He looked up instinctively and immediately straightened his posture.

Driven by some inexplicable urge, he found himself walking toward her.

"Hudson and Finnian are discussing business inside. You might have to wait out here a little longer, Ms. Reed."

Nora smiled and nodded. "Alright."

Jude stared at her bright, crescent-shaped smile, zoning out for a moment.

He couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen that exact smile somewhere before...

Seeing Jude staring blankly at her, Nora blinked in confusion. She instinctively touched her cheek, wondering if she had a smudge on her face.

Jude finally snapped out of his daze. Realizing he had been staring, he quickly pulled his gaze away, looking off to the side with a hint of awkwardness.