50 The Search

The flight to London took eleven hours. Charlotte cried most of the way there. She was beginning to regret her decision. Pregnancy and life changing decisions didn't go well together.

Why hadn't she just asked him about Sara and her child? Maybe there was an explanation? However, Gordon had insisted she was the only woman he had been with, so if he were being truthful then why did Sara have a daughter who looked just like Gordon? And why was Gordon trying to get Sara to bring her to the Zhou family?

Didn't that mean she was right to leave? Then why did she feel sick on her stomach when she thought of life without her husband? Would the pain ever lessen?

Having no answers to her questions she disembarked the plane at Heathrow International Airport. She was tempted to buy a return ticket to Beijing but she suppressed the urge.

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In the living room of the Zhou villa Gordon had gathered the men he trusted most: his father, Mark Rong , Michael Fu, Andrew Xiao, William Liu, and his protection team of six body guards.

"I want to know where she is, now!" Gordon yelled.

"Rachel said Charlotte was upset yesterday, that Charlotte saw you with a woman and a child who was yours, and that if you didn't come clean that she planned to divorce and go abroad." Michael shared.

"And you didn't think I should be aware my wife was going to leave me?!" Gordon shouted.

"She was hoping it wasn't true. Or that Charlotte was just extra sensitive because of the baby." Michael said.

Everyone stopped and stared at Michael's face.

"Baby?" Gordon whispered.

"She didn't tell you? I didn't realize—"

"My pregnant wife is alone in a foreign country thinking I cheated on her. Someone find her!" His voice caught as he chocked back his sobs.

"What woman and child was Charlotte talking about?" Robert asked him.

"Sara. She was pregnant with James's daughter at his funeral. She kept it from us. I happened to meet her recently and I met with her for a few minutes before lunch yesterday because I was trying to persuade her to bring her daughter to meet you and mom. Charlotte must have overheard something or saw something." Gordon said as he grabbed handfuls of his hair and pulled in frustration.

"Here's something! She was on the passenger manifest for a flight leaving Beijing this morning at 9 AM. Destination was Heathrow International in London. After that I lost her." Mark spoke up.

"One moment please!" Andrew said as he pulled out his laptop. "When did the plane land?" He asked.

Mark told him and Andrew began typing and clicking at high speed.

"Okay, I'm in. I hacked their security system. Here."

He turned the screen toward the rooms' occupants. They watched as video of the passengers exiting the plane played. Gordon swallowed hard as he watched Charlotte exit, and look around. She hesitated but then eventually exited the airport.

Andrew turned the computer back and began working. A few minutes later he said, "Alright, so I hacked the server for the cab company she used. That car left the airport with her at 8:45 pm our time and took her to the Royal Embassy Hotel. According to the hotel register, also compliments of my amazing hacking skills, I found out she's in room 805. She also ordered spaghetti via room service."

"Mark, get my jet ready for a flight to London now. Coordinate with Heathrow for permission to land there. William, get me to the airport; emergency speed protocol. And Andrew, stay logged into the hotel's camera system. I want real-time information when I land." Gordon commanded.

"Understood." Andrew said.

Gordon and his security team left immediately.

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"Good evening, sir. How may I help you?" A gentleman manning the check-in counter at the hotel asked Gordon.

"Yes, I'm on vacation with my wife, but we had to travel separately for business. She's in room 805, her name is Charlotte Zhou. I need a key card and I don't want to disturb her sleep. Can you help me?" Gordon

"It's hotel policy to only issue cards to the person reserving the room." The man said hesitantly.

Gordon put a wad of euros on the counter.

"Please, it would really help us out if you could bend the rules just once." Gordon said.

The man looked around carefully and took the money. Moments later, a key card slid across the counter to Gordon.

"Thank you very much." Gordon said.