Chapter 140

Chapter 140

Caleb was well aware of Natalie’s hidden talent for design, so after a bit of cajoling and arm–twisting, he managed to enlist her help. Thanks to her, the base now boasted a near–impenetrable central defense tower.

Caleb’s father was keen on bringing her officially onto the team, but Natalie was steadfast in her loyalty to King and declined the offer. Caleb’s father couldn’t hide his disappointment.

“As long as he’s happy, that’s all that matters. No need for a meet–and–greet,” Natalie quipped with an indifferent smile, brushing off the notion.

The fewer people who knew her true identity, the safer she was.

After wrapping up the conversation with Caleb, she hung up the phone and put the card back in its place.

Rising from her chair, Natalie reached for her bathrobe and noticed a man’s blazer carelessly thrown onto the bed, probably left by Brian during an outfit change.

As she picked up the jacket, a small and elongated gift box fell onto the plush carpet. It seemed that the lid hadn’t been secured properly, with its contents spilled out.

With a moment of hesitation, Natalie squatted down to gather the fallen items.

What lay nestled in the carpet fibers was an exquisite diamond necklace. The centerpiece was a good five or six carats, surrounded by a constellation of smaller diamonds linked together to form an elongated ‘N‘.

A golden card had also fallen out, looking like it had tumbled from a compartment within the box. Natalie picked it up and read the two lines of childlike scrawl on the back.

“Natalie, Daddy knows he messed up. This is his apology. Don’t tell him I ratted him out, okay?”

Natalie froze for a few seconds, then looked back at the diamond necklace in her palm.

Would Brian ever admit to his mistakes?

Early morning light filtered through the windows as Brian’s car pulled up in front of Madelyn’s new place. He glanced at her, slumped beside him, her features softened in sleep from sheer exhaustion.

“Robert…” she murmured Robert’s name in her dream, “It hurts so much, Robert…” Madelyn clung tightly to a fold of Brian’s shirt, caught in the throes of a painful dream.

Brian looked down at her knuckles, pale from the grip.

He had been right outside the operating room when Madelyn had the abortion.

He had been there to witness her pain and watch the formed shape of what would have been their child discarded like trash, passing by him without a second glance.

Chapter 140

The memory was vivid and haunting.

Despite everything. Madelyn had been his friend for over two decades. Seeing her face contorted in agony now, he felt an unexpected twinge of pity.

Earlier, at the maritime office, Madelyn had fainted from the shock, hitting her forehead on the ground, now showing a bruise.

“Mr. Howard…” Reid waited for a moment before tentatively calling out to Brian.

“Let her sleep a bit longer.” Brian replied quietly.

The maritime office had informed them that the wreckage of the plane crash from years ago had been found, with several decomposed bodies inside. They were being sent for DNA analysis, with results expected within forty–eight hours.

Exhausted to the core, Madelyn had been brought back home by Brian.

At the sound of his voice, Madelyn stirred, seemingly disturbed, and her eyes fluttered open, locking with Brian’s.

“Brian…” Her voice was hoarse as if something was lodged in her throat.

“I’ll take you up,” Brian said, his brow furrowing slightly.

Madelyn nodded weakly. Stepping out of the car, she wavered her stance as if a mere gust of wind could knock her over.