Shawn returned to the sitting room to open the door for his guests. "Good afternoon, sir. Please do come in," he said, welcoming Jaden's father, Gabriel.
Gabriel smiled warmly. "Thank you, son."
Shawn also gestured for Mia and Jaden to come in. Mia's eyes widened in surprise as she spotted her father, and she rushed to embrace him.
"Dad? What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
Tom and Gabriel exchanged warm greetings, and the brothers embraced each other.
"I've missed you so much, Gabriel. I'm sorry I didn't tell you anything. Please forgive me," Tom said, his voice filled with emotion.
Gabriel's expression was understanding. "It's okay, I understand. At least I got to meet my niece after a long time."
Tom smiled, his eyes shining with warmth. "And I finally get to meet my nephew as well. Come here, Jaden."
Tom enveloped Jaden in a warm hug, and Hart looked on, a smile on his face.
"Wow, what a reunion," Hart said, his voice filled with amusement.
Shawn cleared his throat, interrupting the reunion. "So, Dad, we're off now."
Hart nodded. "Okay, you three can run along while we adults talk."
"Sure, Dad," Shawn replied.
Jaden turned to his father. "Dad, tell Desmond to drop us at home. I'll call him when I'm ready."
Gabriel nodded. "Okay, son."
The trio left the Wayne's home, heading to Jaden's place, while Tom filled Gabriel in on the latest developments about Andrew.
Gabriel's expression was serious. "Well, I also think we should hear him out."
Tom sighed defeated. "Fine, but not here. We'll ask him to meet us at Silver's café, so your home won't be known to him."
Hart replied, "But the issue now is how to contact him."
Tom's brow furrowed. "You're right, Michael. The number he used to contact me doesn't exist."
Just then, Tom's phone rang, shrill in the silence. He glanced at the screen, his eyes narrowing. "Unknown number."
Tom's eyes locked onto the phone as he hesitated for a moment before answering. His voice was laced with caution as he said, "Hello?"
The voice on the other end sent a shiver down Tom's spine. "Hello, Tom....It's Andrew."
Tom's eyes darted to Hart and Gabriel, who were watching him intently. He swiftly put the phone on speaker, and Andrew's desperate plea filled the room.
"Please, I need your help...$LÅZENGER is after me. I need to find my family. I know you don't trust me, but please, help me, Tom. I'm tired of these threats."
Tom's expression remained skeptical, but he chose to keep an open mind. "I don't trust you, Andrew, but I'm willing to hear you out..."
Just as Tom was about to continue, Hart's hand shot out, and he muted the call. The sudden silence was oppressive, and Gabriel's whispered question hung in the air like a challenge.
"What's wrong?"
Hart's voice was low and urgent. "Ask him to meet us at Silver's café tomorrow by 10 am."
Tom nodded and returned to the call, hoping Andrew hadn't hung up yet. "Hello, Andrew," he said, his voice firm but cautious.
The line was silent for a moment, and Tom's heart sank. But then, Andrew's relieved voice came through. "Oh, thank goodness, I thought I lost you there."
Tom's eyes locked onto Hart's, his expression a mask of calm. "As I was saying, I'll hear you out, not just me, my brother and Hart also want to hear what you have to say. Let's meet tomorrow night at Silver's café by 10 am, if that's fine by you."
Andrew's response was immediate. "Alright, I'll be able to meet with you."
The call ended abruptly, and Tom's eyes met Hart's. "Are you sure about this?" Tom asked, his voice laced with concern.
Hart's expression was calm, but his eyes betrayed a hint of unease. "You worry too much, Tom. Don't worry, we'll take security, just in case."
Tom sighed, his doubts lingering. "Alright."