Chapter 130

Chapter 130

Leanne frowned, irritation etched in the creases of her brow, “Like I said, it’s none of your business.”

Her refusal to argue was, in essence, an admission of guilt.

A fire ignited within Curtis, a blaze of anger that snuffed out his appetite. He dropped his spoon back into the bowl with a clatter.

“So, what’s the story? You suddenly move back and now Golden Grove Manors is too cramped for you?” He sneered, “Since when did the Turner family fall on hard times? Can’t afford to gift a house and now you’re back squatting in your ex’s place?”

Leanne pushed her bowl away and stood up abruptly.

“Curtis, grab your things and get out. I never want to see you again.” she spat.

Snatching her coat, she prepared to leave for work.

Laura stood by

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tching her apron in a fluster “Aren’t you going to finish your breakfast? you to eat on the go…”

ary.” Leanne’s voice was icy, “You work for him, and I certainly don’t need es lingering around. You might as well leave with him.”

nad just dropped her off, and Curtis already knew about it. Laura him off; that was the only way he could have found out.

must have

in not…” Laura started to explain, but Leanne was not in the mood for excuses.

Turning her frustrated gaze to Curtis, she found him still seated at the dining table, his handsome face clouded with brooding darkness.

Leanne slipped on her shoes and descended the front steps, only to spin around and fiddle with the keypad lock, attempting to change the code.

But the lock required a specific sequence of operations, and not having used it in a while, she had forgotten the procedure.

Curtis watched her struggle and couldn’t resist a jab, “Need help changing it, or should I teach you?”

Leanne

a nave un

up, straightening herself, “I’ll change it tonight. And I’ll throw out anything you left behind..”

She stormed out of the house just as Jeremy’s car pulled up.

“What’s wrong?” Jeremy inquired, noting her distressed expression.

Leanne managed a composed smile, “Nothing, really. You didn’t need to come get me. I

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was probably just being paranoid last night, miking everyone else ancious for no

Jeremy’s kindness was both comforting and derwhelming, leaving her unsure of how to respond without giving the wrong impression hurting his feelings.

Leanne, I don’t see it that way” Jeremy sald einally, “Intuition is a form of self defense. It can’t always be scientifically explained but shouldn’t be tgnored if it’s a falen alarm great but if it’s not, we should be grateful for this warning”

“Look at it this way, if there really wasn’t anyone there last night, but you felt scared, that means the environment was unsafe for you Ofir job is to ensure you feel protected, to ease that fear, not to dismiss your concerns”

Growing up. Leanne had often been accused of being too sensitive or overthinking things. Disregarding everything else, Jeremy truly was a stand up quy

“Thank you”

“It’s what any friend would do, no strings attached, so don’t feel burdened,” Jeremy insisted. “If Selina were in the same situation, you’d protect her in a heartbeat, right?”

Leanne chuckled, “That’s a bit of a false equivalence. You and Selina are not the same.

andidness of the moment or the genuine warmth in her laughter,

alter under her gaze.

nd it’s the same. After all, Selina wouldn’t let me off the hook if something ened to you,” he joked, “Selina got me up at the crack of dawn, insisting I drive you to ork, worried about you being alone. She hustled me out before I even had breakfast.”

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Leanne offered. Do you want to come in for something to eat?”

They still had food, albeit amidst a slightly awkward atmosphere.

Jeremy glanced discreetly toward a second story window of the house, “No time today. I’ll just grab a coffee on the road.”

“I’ll buy you a coffee,” Leanne said, “There’s a café near the hospital with really good coffee, and I’m a regular there.”

“That sounds great. I passed by once when I was picking up Selina and thought I’d try it someday.”

Jeremy opened the car door for her, and Leanne slid into the passenger seat.

At the stairway’s turn, Curtis stood behind a window, watching as Jeremy attentively closed the car door for her and walked around to the driver’s side.

The engine roared to life, and the car pulled away from the property.

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He should have been at coming

That look Jeremy had green her at the dine at the way she blushed in his presence

Why was the blushing? Had Jeremy already confessed fus feelings for her?

Curtis tugged at his tie the perfect Windsor knot now unraveled his mood souring more than he had anticipated

When had Jeremy taken an interest in her?

They had only met a handful of time

The more he thought about it, the more suffocated he felt.

He previously brought Jeremy to the house did he unknowingly let the enemy through the gates?