Chapter 598:

🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙

Amelia sat in the sun-drenched dining room of the safe house, her mood lifted by her conversation with Garrett the night before. But she noticed that her caretaker, Nina Webb, seemed agitated. Her face was pale, with dark circles under her eyes.

As Nina poured milk for her, her hand trembled, nearly knocking over the glass.

“Nina, are you okay?” Amelia asked, her voice soft with concern. “You look exhausted.”

Nina forced a weak smile. “I’m fine, Amelia. I just didn’t sleep well last night.” She deliberately avoided Amelia’s gaze.

Amelia didn’t press the issue, assuming it was work-related stress.

After breakfast, remembering Clarence’s warnings, she decided to call him for an update. She didn’t want to bother Garrett directly, afraid it would interfere with his rest, and even more afraid that hearing bad news would make her lose control.

𝘋𝗈𝘸n𝘭𝗈𝖺𝖽𝘢𝖻𝗅e 𝖯DF𝘴 on 𝗴а𝗹ո𝗼vеl𝘴.𝖼𝗈m

The call went through on Clarence’s encrypted line. “Clarence, it’s me,” she said. “Is Garrett… is he really okay?”

From his top-floor office at Thornton Global, Clarence’s voice was as calm as ever. “He’s fine, Amelia. He’s following his recovery plan. You don’t need to worry.”

Amelia let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. But the relief was fleeting. “What about the person who attacked him? Did you catch them? Is it over?”

Clarence paused, deciding to share a partial truth to ensure her complete cooperation. As his sister-in-law, her trust was paramount. “The main culprit committed suicide. The trail went cold. But we’ve essentially confirmed the person behind it is Brice Langley.”

Amelia’s heart leaped into her throat. “Doesn’t that mean Garrett is in more danger?”

“Quite the opposite,” Clarence explained. “Garrett staying in New York is, in itself, a form of bait. Brice’s target is him. As long as he’s there, Brice will focus all his attention on New York, which makes your location the safest place to be.”

The words hit Amelia like a physical blow. Garrett’s “safety” was built on him being a target. A sharp pain pierced her chest, a mixture of fear and helplessness. She told Nina she was fine, but the weight on her face was impossible to hide.

Just then, the door to Clarence’s office was thrown open. His father, Alistair Thornton, stormed in, his face a mask of fury.

“I’ll call you back later,” Clarence said to Amelia before ending the call.

Alistair slammed a file onto Clarence’s desk. “Why did you veto the memorandum of understanding with Azure Cove? Do you have any idea how important this is for us?”

Clarence looked at him coolly. “Because their capital chain is problematic. Partnering with them now would be like tying ourselves to a sinking ship.” The imposing family patriarch’s interference in company affairs was a constant source of friction.

“That’s Chaim Petersen’s project!” Alistair thundered. “Garrett’s best friend!”

.

.

.