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    Jacob felt a wave of panic wash over him as he eximed, “I’m sorry! I’m really sorry! I need to take this call first. I’lle back to singter!”


    After finishing his sentence, he quickly grabbed his cell phone and rushed out of the room.


    Greyson seized the microphone that Jacob had left behind and shed a smile. “Come on, Matilda. I’ll sing with you!” he said cheerfully.


    Meanwhile, Jacob stepped out of the room, anxiously answering the iing call.<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    As soon as the call connected, ine’s unmistakable voice echoed through the receiver: “Jacob Wilson! Are you trying to give me a heart attack? I’ve been missing for two days and nights! Not a single call or text from you! And here you are, enjoying a gathering?”


    Hearing ine’s furious words sent a chill through Jacob. What had once been excitement turned into dread.


    His life was spiraling downwards. That annoying old hag had returned!


    Was it too much to ask for just a couple of peaceful days without ine? He had only just begun to enjoy singing and spending time with Matilda. They hadn’t even made any significant progress in their rtionship, yet that bothersome olddy was already back on the scene!


    Wasn’t this just a cruel twist of fate?


    Jacob felt utterly defeated, as though he could just fade away. On the other end of the call, ine barked, “Jacob Wilson, are you mute? Why aren’t you responding?”


    Desperate to calm her down, Jacob quickly replied, “Oh, my wife! Please don’t be mad. Let me exin. I’ve been searching for you for thest two days! If you don’t believe me, ask our daughter or Charlie. We even checked every mahjong hall in Aurous Hill just to find you!”


    ine interrupted, “Don’t give me that useless chatter! I want to know who you’re with right now! It sounds like someone is singing in the background. Are you at a karaoke bar? How can you think about singing when you don’t even know if I’m dead or alive?”


    Jacob quickly rified, “I’m just catching up with some old ssmates. They insisted I join their gathering today.”


    ine’s anger red as she snapped back, “Let me tell you something, Jacob. I broke my leg and I’m on my way to the emergency department at Sacred Heart Hospital. You’d better get over here right now! Otherwise, I’ll make you pay for this!”


    Stunned by her words, Jacob knew he couldn’t say no. “Okay, wife. I’ll be there right away!” he replied urgently.


    After hanging up, Jacob rushed back into the room. There, he found Matilda singing ‘My Intimate Lover’ alongside Greyson. A pang of jealousy hit him, but he had no choice. “Matilda, I need to leave now. I have some important matters to handle,” he told her.


    Matilda looked surprised. “Why are you leaving so soon? Did something happen?”


    “No, nothing’s wrong,” Jacob reassured her with a smile. “I just received a call from home and need to address some family matters.”


    Matilda nodded, still a bit concerned. “Is it urgent? Do you need any help?”


    He quickly waved her off. “No, no, it’s fine. I can handle it myself.”


    Though Matilda felt a sense of regret, she nodded understandingly. “Just remember to call me if you need anything!”


    “Of course!” Jacob promised, turning to address his ssmates. “Everyone, something’se up at home, and I have to leave now. Enjoy yourselves and have fun!”


    His ssmates protested, “Jacob, you just started singing! Why are you leaving already? We didn’t even get to hear you sing!”


    Feeling the pressure, Jacob insisted, “I really have to go home right now. We’ll catch up another time.”<fn49c1> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? F?ndNovel</fn49c1>


    Greyson chimed in cheerfully, “Oh, Jacob, did ine call you toe home? Is she upset because you didn’t bring her to the reunion?”


    Jacob shot Greyson an annoyed nce. “Greyson, what’s wrong with you? Why do you always have to butt in?”


    With that, Jacob nced at Matilda onest time before reluctantly leaving the room.


    Once outside, Jacob stomped his foot in frustration.


    What was going on? Why was ine back so soon? Why couldn’t she be more like Hannah?


    Look at Hannah—no word from her since she vanished. It was as if she had disappeared without a trace. Wouldn’t it be better if ine took a cue from her?


    With thoughts racing, Jacob dashed out of the Glorious Club and jumped into his BMW, speeding off to Sacred Heart Hospital.


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