Chapter 614:

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Ronan gave a slightly embarrassed smile. “Thank you. My brother handled most of it, really. I’m just here in name.”

Garrett caught the subtle note of distance in his voice. “Your brother is good to you.”

Ronan’s smile faltered. He took a sip of his drink before answering vaguely, “Yes… he always has… his own ideas.”

Instead of pressing, Garrett changed the subject. “Are your parents not here tonight? On such an important occasion.”

At the mention of his parents, Ronan’s expression turned stranger still. “They… don’t enjoy these kinds of events. And their relationship with my brother… it’s a bit odd.”

Garrett’s interest sharpened. This confirmed what he and Clarence had suspected. He asked casually, “Oh? How so?”

Ronan seemed to realize he’d said too much and shook his head quickly. “It’s nothing. Just… not as close as a normal family. Excuse me, Mr. Thornton, I have to go.”

He hurried away as if fleeing something.

Garrett watched him go, his eyes narrowing. Not close? That was normal enough for an adopted son. But Ronan had used the word odd.

It meant there was something more between Brice and the Langleys. A secret conflict, or a pact.

𝗝𝘰in 𝗍𝘩o𝗎𝗌а𝗇𝗱𝗌 𝗈𝘧 f𝘢n𝘀 𝗼𝗇 ga𝗅𝗇𝗼v𝘦ls.𝖼𝘰𝗆

His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Sterling Langley and Brooke.

Sterling looked uneasy at the sight of Garrett, but managed a greeting. “Garrett. You made it.”

Brooke just rolled her eyes. “You’re a real piece of work, you know that? Not even telling us Amelia was back.” She had clearly heard some version of the news.

“She needs her rest,” Garrett said smoothly, revealing nothing.

Just then the ballroom lights dimmed. A spotlight fell on the center of the dance floor, and a host announced the start of the ball.

Brice Langley, as the man of the hour, elegantly invited a debutante for the opening waltz.

Garrett’s eyes cut across the crowd and met Brice’s gaze once more. Brice’s face was alight with a victor’s smile.

Garrett’s phone vibrated. A text from Casey: “Sir. Brice is looking for you.”

He pocketed the phone and turned to Sterling. “Do me a favor. Watch Brooke.”

Then he turned and walked toward a terrace just off the ballroom. He knew Brice would be waiting. The real confrontation was about to begin.

A few feet away, hidden in the shadows, Casey’s phone rang on a secured line. It was Clarence.

Clarence’s voice was tight, suppressed, as he told Casey what had happened to Amelia.

The color drained from Casey’s face. He looked at Garrett’s retreating back, at the man walking calmly into a confrontation, completely unaware that his world was already burning down. Casey’s throat went dry.

He could only obey Clarence’s order. “Keep him stable. For now.”

The wind on the terrace carried a fine mist of rain, cooling the feverish heat that had been building behind Garrett’s eyes.

He leaned against the stone balustrade and lit a cigarette, the smoke instantly snatched away by the wind. He was waiting for the snake to slither out of its hole.

Footsteps approached from behind. Brice Langley appeared, alone, a drink in his hand.

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