Chapter 423



Sophie’s eyes darted around before she grabbed Jake’s hand, pulling him closer. She leaned in, her voice a whisper against his ear.

“Can you stay here? I know a bad guy hurt my mommy and made her sick. Bad guys are always hurting my mommy, and I can’t do anything to stop them. Please, can you stay and protect her?” Sophie’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she ducked her head. “When I’m big, I’ll protect my mommy myself. I won’t need anyone else’s help.”

Jake’s heart twisted in his chest. What a brave little girl, shouldering so much worry. He pulled Sophie into a tight embrace. “You’re a wonderful girl, Sophie,” he murmured. “This is my fault. I won’t let you or your mom get hurt again.”

Sophie looked up at him, confusion etched on her face. “But… you don’t have to. My mommy says only family protects each other forever. You’re her friend. You only have to protect her for now.”

A pang of hurt shot through Jake. “Your mom said that?” he asked, his voice tight. “She said I was just a friend? Did she say anything else about me?”

Sophie blinked, puzzlement clouding her face. Jake’s words were a mystery to her.

“It’s okay,” Jake said, masking his disappointment. “Take your mom into the house and get some rest.”

Sophie nodded, leading Kallie away by the hand. Kallie took a few steps, a flicker of something unreadable passing through her eyes. She glanced back at Jake, noting his dejection. Then she turned away and continued walking.

Jake watched them go, a wave of loneliness washing over him. He had briefly entertained the idea of using Kallie’s amnesia to his advantage, to build a connection with her.

But he quickly dismissed the thought. It felt wrong and manipulative. He couldn’t take advantage of her vulnerability; when her memory returned, she would be disgusted with him. All he could do now was be there for her, no strings attached.

Meanwhile, Jake was relentless in his search for Joanna. He activated every contact he had. Joanna had vanished into thin air the moment she left the country.

That evening, Jake found himself at a social gathering, face-to-face with a renowned investigator—a man rumored to find anyone, anywhere.

They said the man could track down a person with nothing more than a verbal description. But this man was a real oddball and wouldn’t take the job if he wasn’t in the mood, even if all the money in the world was thrown at him.

Right then, the man signaled for a few hired girls to go over and flirt with Jake, proposing a toast to him. Jake had built up quite a tolerance over the years; he could hold his liquor.

After a few bottles, Jake was still going strong, but the man was getting impatient. He waved one of the girls over.

The girl sashayed over, all hips and smiles. The man leaned in and whispered something in her ear. The girl nodded and gave Jake a seductive look. She sidled up to him and purred, “Hey there, handsome. You’ve got a great figure. Why hide your face behind that mask? What’s the mystery? C’mon, take it off. We want to see your face.”

But before her fingers could even graze Jake’s mask, he shoved her away, sending her sprawling to the floor. She let out a yelp and then burst into tears, looking utterly pathetic.

Jake didn’t even flinch. His eyes were cold, almost murderous. His voice was like ice. “Anyone who sees my face dies. That’s the rule. You still want to see it?”

Jake’s words were directed at the man across the table. He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t need this man’s help to find Joanna and get revenge for Kallie.

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