Chapter 3 Come Home with Me
Though his grip was not firm, it carried an undeniable firmness that brooked no refusal.
At the same time, his other hand fumbled over his body as if anxiously searching for something precious.
Seeing this, Daphne Finney’s first instinct was to assume the older man intended to reward her with money. She quickly waved her hands and said earnestly, “No, no, I don’t need any thanks. I still have work to do. If you can walk, please leave the West District immediately. If you feel unwell, I can call a cab for you.”
The older man ignored her words. After rummaging in his coat momentarily, he finally pulled out a silver-gray pocket watch.
The watch looked ancient and mysterious, its cover intricately engraved with complex patterns that seemed to whisper countless untold stories.
When he gently opened it, a crisp, melodious chime rang out—clear, heavenly, like a miniature music box.
Daphne raised an eyebrow in curiosity. What kind of magical pocket watch could produce such a beautiful sound?
Driven by curiosity, she leaned in slightly for a closer look.
Ham, his hands trembling, checked the watch, glanced at it, then quickly looked up at Daphne before exhaling in relief. He shut the watch and politely said, “I am Ham Koch. Young lady, what is your name?”
Daphne’s lips curled into a friendly smile as she nodded and replied, “Hello, Mr. Ham. I’m Daphne Finney. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
Ham remained silent, simply shaking his head. Then, he held the watch out to her.
Daphne’s eyes widened in shock, and she hurriedly pushed it back. “This watch looks very valuable—I can’t accept it! Helping you was a small effort; I don’t need any reward.”
But Ham shook his head again, firmly. He opened the watch once more, turned it toward Daphne, and, with an expression filled with an indescribable emotion, said, “Old Ham likes you. I’ve been looking for you for a long time.”
Daphne froze in confusion. She pointed to herself and asked hesitantly, “Mr. Ham, are you mistaking me for someone else? This is our first time meeting.”
Ham smiled and shook his head. Then, cupping his hand to his mouth as if sharing a secret, he leaned close to Daphne’s ear and whispered, “Daphne, are you married?”
“Huh?! Me?!”
Daphne was taken aback. Were people in the city this forward nowadays?
Wasn’t marital status supposed to be a personal matter?
But since Ham was an elderly gentleman and seemed polite, she answered shyly, “I’m single, Grandpa Ham.”
Ham sighed relieved and murmured, “I knew it.”
Seeing him speak so cryptically, Daphne glanced at her wristwatch and grew anxious.
She found herself at a crossroads—should she wait here for the police, or should she call them herself?
She instinctively looked around. Her studio was three blocks away. If she ran, she could get there in about twenty-five minutes.
If she failed to deliver her work on time to her loyal clients, it could seriously damage her studio’s reputation.
Her reputation was her lifeline in the West District, where challenges and uncertainties lurked everywhere. Losing it meant struggling to survive in this harsh environment.
She needed to earn money, save, and leave the West District.
The thought only made her more anxious. She looked at Grandpa Ham, still holding onto her sleeve and mumbling to himself, yet she remained patient. “Grandpa Ham, do you have any family I can contact? I have work to do, so I may have to leave you soon.”
“Don’t go, Daphne. I’ve been looking for you for so long. You must come home with me.”
Ham suddenly became childlike, stubbornly clinging to her.
“Grandpa Ham, if I didn’t have work this afternoon, I’d gladly take you home. But I really can’t right now. I promised to deliver something on time—I’m sorry.”
“No, Daphne, you must come home with me. Chad must not lose you.”
Ham’s grip tightened, using both hands to hold onto her sleeve.
Daphne sighed and rubbed her forehead. She guessed that Ham probably had Alzheimer’s and was mistaking her for someone else.
Still, she couldn’t just abandon him. The only option was to take him with her.
Having made up her mind, she stopped hesitating. She grasped Ham’s wrist and said, Alright, Grandpa Ham. If you’re okay with it, come with me to my studio first. Once I finish my work, I’ll take you home, okay?”
“Alright, let’s go home together. Chad will be so happy.”
Ham eagerly followed Daphne, quickening his steps.
Just as they turned a corner, a group of towering men in black suits suddenly emerged, surrounding them tightly.
Daphne’s heart sank. Her first thought was that the Black T-Shirt Gang had returned.
Despair engulfed her—she had nothing left to offer this time. There was no second gold necklace from her grandfather.
Driven by fear, she instinctively assumed a defensive posture, crouching down with her arms wrapped tightly over her head, pressing her hands against the back of her skull, as if she had rehearsed this exact motion a thousand times.
Her body trembled slightly, her heart pounding wildly.
Then, she remembered Ham.
She quickly scrambled up and pressed down on Ham’s shoulders, urging him to follow suit. Seeming to understand her intent, Ham swiftly mimicked her posture. An older man and a young woman now lay awkwardly sprawled on the street.
At that moment, a pair of polished brown Italian leather shoes appeared in her sight.
The shoes gleamed under the sunlight, reflecting an icy sheen.
A voice, lofty and commanding, rang out. “What are you idiots waiting for? Help Grandpa Ham up! Are you all blind behind those sunglasses?”