Chapter 427



“Did Kallie tell you I took her to the bar? That’s bullshit! I can’t stand her, but I wasn’t trying to cause problems for you. She was the one hounding about you, and I just let her go. I didn’t give a damn. I wasn’t the one who brought her there.”

Edgar clenched his fists. God, he wanted to punch Lenny right in the face.

“You might not have dragged her there yourself,” he growled, “but you told her where to go and didn’t even send someone to watch her back! What if something happened to her? Plus, she’s barely recovered. How the hell was she supposed to find her way there? She could barely string a sentence together.”

“Bullshit!” Lenny snapped back. “I’ve been taking good care of her since she got back. The drug might’ve messed with her head, but she can talk just fine. How else would I know she was looking for Jake, huh?” Lenny scoffed. “She acts like she can’t hear anyone but Jake. It’s all an act. It pisses me off, her faking it like that.”

Jake and Edgar exchanged surprised glances.

“Wait. You’re saying she can think for herself now?” Edgar interrupted.

“Damn right she can!” Lenny practically shouted. “She’s not back to normal, still a bit foggy, but she’s not a zombie anymore like she was a few days ago.”

Jake had heard enough. He turned on his heel and strode out of the study.

Edgar started to follow but then stopped, turning back to the defiant Lenny. “I’m telling you the truth. It was me who figured out you were behind this. Kallie was almost bullied at that bar. If we hadn’t found her…” He trailed off, shaking his head.

Taking a deep breath, Edgar continued, “You’ve worked for Jake for years. Haven’t you figured out he doesn’t give a damn about Miss? He’s just keeping his promise to Mr. Jack. If you really care about Miss, stop pushing her on him. On the way back, I asked Kallie why she came. She didn’t say a word. I thought she couldn’t speak.”

Lenny listened, dazed, and then sighed. A hint of frustration and sadness crept into his voice. “Edgar, I don’t want to leave Jake’s side,” he pleaded. “I want to stay with him. He’s quite something. I can learn so much from him.”

Edgar shook his head, his expression hardening. “I told you before that Kallie is Jake’s bottom line, his only one. Your flight’s booked. I’m sending you back to Yoeloth tonight. Stay with Miss and don’t let Mr. Reeves see you again.”

Lenny’s eyes filled with tears, but he blinked them back and nodded.

Meanwhile, Jake found Kallie in her room, reading in her nightgown. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her. She looked like a goddess, ethereal and beautiful. There was a regal air about her, making one hesitant to disturb her.

Jake slowed his pace, drawn to her. “Reading in direct sunlight isn’t good for your eyes,” he said gently. “Shall we go to the garden?”

His voice was soft, almost as if he were talking to a child. Kallie didn’t reply and just shook the book she was holding.

Curiosity piqued, Jake moved closer to see it was a diary, its worn cover suggesting it was at least a decade old.

Jake opened it, revealing delicate handwriting, clearly from a young woman. Worried his mask might scare her, he removed it.

As Jake was absorbed in the diary, he felt a warm touch on his cheek. Kallie was gently tracing the scar on his face.

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