Chapter 541
Chapter 541:
She crossed the room to close it and let her eyes drift to the clock.
Six-thirty. She was already wide awake.
Soft voices floated up from below — Shirley speaking with the housekeeper. Older people always welcomed the dawn, and morning walks usually called Shirley out at this hour.
Kailey decided to join her.
She washed up quickly, changed, and went downstairs.
“Kailey?” Surprise brightened Shirley’s face just as she reached the door. “Why are you awake so early? Are you hungry p>
“Grandma.” Kailey shot a quick glance at the housekeeper before stepping forward to take her place. “I rested plenty yesterday. I’ll walk with you this morning p>
𝖢𝗵іne𝘴𝘦 𝗻𝘰𝗏е𝗹ѕ 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘯𝘀𝘭𝘢t𝗲𝘥 𝗼𝗇 𝘨а𝗅n𝗈𝘷еls.с𝗈𝗺
“That’s perfect!” Shirley sent the housekeeper back to rest, and her hand slipped warmly around Kailey’s arm as they stepped outside. “Young people hardly move these days. A simple walk every morning does wonders for the body p>
“I know,” Kailey said, happy to listen.
Dim light still clung to the sky, and the streets stretched out in silence. Porch lamps dotted the neighborhood with a soft glow that barely touched the pavement.
At a distance, a parked car sat with its headlights cutting through the gloom. Inside, two guards had drifted into sleep until the driver jolted upright. “Hey, get up p>
“What is it p>
“Ms. Evans just stepped out p>
Alertness returned in an instant. They scrambled from the car and sent urgent messages to the rest of the team.
Kailey noticed but pretended not to. She knew their presence wouldn’t bother her — and if she and Shirley bought anything along the way, they could carry the bags.
But Shirley leaned close and lowered her voice. “Kailey, are we being followed p>
Kailey was mildly surprised. Despite her age and fading senses, Shirley had noticed.
Not wanting to worry her, Kailey chose a version of the truth. “Kyson sent bodyguards to keep us safe p>
“Bodyguards?” Shirley huffed. “That boy has watched too many action films. I’ve lived here all my life and never once felt threatened p>
Kailey knew safety was never truly guaranteed, even when it seemed that way. She softened her reply with gentle humor. “He probably spends too much time watching television and imagines danger everywhere p>
Understanding replaced Shirley’s complaint as she nodded. “Caution never hurts. He’s sensible enough to think ahead p>
Warmth bubbled up inside Kailey, and a quiet smile followed. Distance never existed between them in Shirley’s stories — she always spoke of Kyson with affection.
Conversation flowed easily as they walked, and their steps carried them farther than they had noticed. The outline of the park appeared ahead.
Then calm shattered without warning.
A tricycle swerved straight toward them, and the middle-aged driver screamed in terror. “The brakes are gone! Move aside p>
By the time the clock struck eight, the sun had only just begun to rise.