Grandpa Brooks narrowed his eyes and looked at Nell Jennings.
"What's the best of both worlds?"
Nell said in a solemn voice, "Now we won’t even force you to take out the jade. You just need to do as we say and cooperate with us, then we’ll help you to rescue Flora. When Flora is returned, you must give us the jade. Is that okay?"
Grandpa Brooks pursed his lips.
Gideon also said, “I can guarantee with my character that I’ll help you get her out. Grandpa, this is in the vicinity of China. If we don't have a way to get her out, who else do you think could? Furthermore, are you so sure that he’ll really let her go after you give him the jade? What if he did not release her at that time? Then you’ll be left with nothing."
In fact, Grandpa Brooks understood what he said.
He was unwilling to believe them before because he wanted them to leave quickly, but now that he thought about it, this was the safest way.
Grandpa Brooks looked at Gideon and asked in a deep voice, "Are you sure you can really save Flora?"
Gideon's face was serious as he said, "I swear on my life."
"Good, then I'll trust you this once."
Grandpa Brooks said this, then suddenly got up and walked out.
The group of them was stunned and followed after the old man.
At this time, it was dark outside, not to mention people, there was not even a single street lamp.
However, Grandpa Brooks was able to walk on the winding mountain road as if it was flat ground, which Nell and the others could not do.
Gideon held Nell's hand and Gregory held Vickie's hand. The four of them rushed to keep up with the old man in fear of losing him.
They were wondering where the old man was going and saw that he was going up a small slope. On top of the slope was the grave of old Mrs. Brooks.
Vickie was baffled.
"Why did he come here again?"
Gregory signaled for her to be quiet for a while, then the group of them climbed up the small slope and saw Grandpa Brooks squatting in front of the tombstone, digging something with force.
Nell shook hard and understood at once.
She pushed Gideon and said, "Go help."
Gideon nodded, unbuttoned his cufflinks, rolled up his sleeves, then went over and squatted to help Grandpa Brooks dig the earth.
The pit was not shallow, because it had not rained for a while, the soil was dry, so it was hard to dig deep with just hands.
Gideon simply walked to the side, broke a wrist-thin branch, and squatted down to continue digging.
After about two minutes of work, he finally dug something out.
It was a gray handkerchief.
“But I never thought that shortly after, something would happen to Flora. I knew that Grant Lennon kidnapped her. Grant was the son of Jack Lennon, so I didn’t want to go neck to neck with him and report him. Also, if I’d really reported this to the police, when they investigate the incident back then, I might even need to go to jail.
“So I thought if he really wants it, I’ll just give it to him. But I'm not stupid. What if I give it to him and he still doesn't let her go?
“In the end, I didn’t dig it out. Tonight when he asked me to meet, I originally wanted to negotiate with him. As long as he’s willing to release Flora and after I’ve confirmed that she’s safe, I’ll immediately tell him where it’s buried. If he doesn’t believe me, then he can exchange hostages. He can tie my hands and feet while I lead him to the jade as long as he’s willing to let go of Flora.
“However, he didn’t bring her over today during the meeting. My heart’s still unsettled and felt that something would happen to her. Now that you’re willing to help me save her, I won't beat around the bush anymore. I trust you, so although you haven't rescued her yet, I'm willing to give you the jade. It's better than it falling into Grant Lennon's hands."
After he said this, the few of them realized that the old man in front of them was not as stingy and odd as they thought.
All of his previous attempts to make things difficult for them were just to get rid of them so that he could take the jade to save his great-granddaughter.
They still had not rescued her yet, but he had already handed over the jade, which showed his sincerity.
Gideon stood up and bowed to Grandpa Brooks respectfully.
"Sir, we misunderstood you before. Please accept our apologies."
The old man waved his hand and smiled a little awkwardly.
"What sir? What kind of sir am I? I've been drudging in the mud since I was young, and now that I'm old, I'm just trying to have peace and quiet. I also know that it's hard to end well in our line of work. If Grant Lennon really hates me and wants to take my life, I'll just give it to him without saying a word. But Flora’s innocent. She's just an 18-year-old girl who doesn't know anything. What wrong has she done? Did she really deserve to die at the hands of that scum?"
Gideon nodded and said, "What you said is true. Flora’s indeed innocent, and because of that, we’ll rescue her no matter what."
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