Chapter 1019



“You can’t walk away. You must help me!” he said, his voice tense with urgency.

“Help me return to Burmoos, and I promise you’ll be well compensated.”

Lacey gasped sharply, shrugging off Clayton’s grasp with a swift movement. Her voice trembled as she confronted him.

“Do you realize the danger I have faced to save you?”

Lacey had meticulously prepared the spiked medicine for Elma before her departure. Moreover, Calvin’s scrutiny had intensified lately, keeping her on edge. With her absence from Elma’s side, the possibility of Calvin stirring up trouble loomed large. Furthermore, Jake’s suspicions were inevitable. After all, Clayton escaped shortly after.

She made her exit, knowing she needed to return to Jake to read his reactions and understand her standing. Staying here was no longer an option.

Clayton clung to her, his voice carrying a hint of mockery.

“You saved me, which puts us in the same boat. If you refuse to help me further, you’re only jeopardizing yourself.”

A furious chuckle nearly escaped Lacey as she listened to his words. She responded decisively, her words simmering through a tight jaw, “Don’t forget it’s you who needs my help. Turning against me won’t serve you any good.”

With a subtle smile, Clayton finally let go of her hand. He shifted the topic, his tone casual yet probing.

“Jake has taken Kallie away. How do you feel about that?”

Lacey’s eyes widened, disbelief washing over her as Clayton’s words sank in.

Find your next adventure at gα ℓη σ ν𝒆 ℓs․com “How can that be? Did Jake really take Kallie away? But wasn’t Kallie in the hands of some lunatic?”

Clayton gave Lacey a steady look, calm as ever.

“Jake didn’t come here for me, but for Kallie. Now that he’s rescued her, they might patch things up. If that happens, you’re out of chances. Everything we’ve planned will fall apart. Without my help, what do you think you can accomplish with Cody? Think about it. Helping me is helping yourself. It’s your call to make.”

Lacey hesitated, her fingers curling into tight fists. Her breath hitched as the weight of the situation sank in.

“I’m not saying I don’t want to help, but if Jake finds out, I’m doomed.”

Lacey admired Jake but knew better than anyone how he felt about betrayal. If he found out she had betrayed him, he wouldn’t spare her, even though she had saved his life twice. A chill crept down her spine at the thought.

Clayton, noticing her fear, leaned in, his voice low and persuasive.

“Relax. Jake will never know we’re working together if I don’t breathe a word about it. I doubt he could figure out our cahoots. All you need to do is have him send someone to pick you up. Leave the rest to me after that. Lacey, you need to think carefully before deciding whether to help me or not. I’m not a patient man. If you’re unwilling, I’ll leave right now. But if I go back to Burmoos, I will continue to play against Jake and let him know what you have done. Imagine his reaction by then.”

Cornered, Lacey reluctantly nodded, regretting every second of her past alliance with him. Clayton was like a dangerous coiled viper, impossible to shake off once she was entangled. Worse, she had to stay on guard, always wary of being bitten by him. At that moment, she had no choice but to follow his orders. She resolved to find another way out later.

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