Chapter 386
Chapter 386:
Kristine thought for a moment, genuinely puzzled. “I don’t exactly move in wealthy or powerful circles. If I’m being honest, I can only think of two people like that in my life p>
“Who p>
Kristine looked at him and tried to keep her tone light. “Well… there’s you. And then there’s Colton p>
She was certain it wasn’t Asher, and Colton didn’t make sense either. If Colton were behind it, he would already know she was alive and safe.
Asher was quiet for a long moment. Then, softly, he said, “Since you don’t know who it is, let me look into it. It may take time, but I’ll find them p>
Kristine studied him, guilt flickering across her face. “Are you sure? I don’t want to become a burden to you p>
𝖩оі𝗇 o𝘂𝘳 𝗰𝗼mm𝘂𝗇𝗶tу 𝗈ո
“Why would you think that p>
“It’s just p>
Asher cut her off gently. “Don’t worry about it. Besides, you still owe me help with that business deal, remember p>
Kristine paused as the memory surfaced — the difficult deal in Nordwyn he had been struggling to close, the company whose owner had spent his life repairing watches.
She smiled. “All right. I’ll leave the investigation in your hands, then p>
“Exactly. We look after each other.” Asher extended his hand toward her.
Kristine looked at it, still thinking about how warm his hand had felt when he’d reached for hers earlier. She hesitated, then placed her hand in his.
Their fingers curled together.
The moment they touched, a quiet warmth passed between them. Kristine’s heart stuttered in her chest, and heat rose swiftly to her cheeks.
In Gridron, Colton stood alone by the window.
His shadow stretched long and thin across the floor, and everything about the way he stood spoke of a man hollowed out. Elyse held a food tray in both hands and watched him from the doorway, her expression difficult to read.
Ever since Kristine’s burial, Colton had barely left this room. The household staff had been too wary to disturb him, and it had taken Elyse considerable courage just to step through the door. From behind, she could see the exhaustion weighing on his shoulders. She tightened her grip on the tray.
She had honestly believed that with Kristine gone, they would finally begin planning a life together. But things were not moving in that direction at all.
She set the tray down on the table as quietly as she could and spoke in a careful, gentle voice. “Colton, you haven’t eaten in days. You’re going to make yourself ill p>
He didn’t move. He simply stared through the glass as though he had turned to stone.
Unable to bear it, Elyse stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him from behind. “I know you’re in pain,” she whispered. “But you can’t keep doing this to yourself p>
“Let go of me,” Colton said at last. His voice was so cold it made her flinch.
She pressed her lips together and held on tighter. “I am not leaving until you eat!” The words came out louder than she intended.
Colton turned and looked straight at her — her eyes red, glistening at the edges — then pulled himself free with a sharp, forceful motion.