Chapter 578
Chapter 578:
“What?” The sudden shift caught Merritt completely off guard. He didn’t have time to compose himself before answering. Then, gradually, he seemed to relax. “I do have a brother. He’s not in this field. There’s nothing much to say about him.” His tone carried a faint trace of disappointment.
Kailey raised her brows. “Did something happen p>
From the moment he had walked in, he had spoken to her carefully, almost defensively. But people often lowered their guard without realizing it — especially in front of someone who looked harmless. Merritt seemed to treat it as nothing more than small talk. “It’s nothing serious. I just don’t approve of what he’s doing these days p>
Kailey nodded as if she understood and offered a few polite words of reassurance.
Before coming here, she had already asked Shawn about him. Merritt did have a younger brother — born when their parents were older, and always difficult at home. Now that Merritt had openly expressed dissatisfaction, something clicked into place in Kailey’s mind.
They chatted a little longer. Soon after, Lyman arrived, and Kailey no longer needed to steer the conversation. She focused on her meal, but her thoughts kept circling the same question: how could she confirm her suspicion?
Should she tell Lyman? That didn’t seem realistic. Gregg? The name surfaced briefly before she dismissed it. Gregg, his chairman, even Zenith Group itself — none of them felt trustworthy. She couldn’t clearly define their values, but she knew they weren’t allies she could rely on.
By the time the meal ended, Kailey still hadn’t settled on a plan.
Merritt and Lyman seemed to have reached some kind of understanding. They even embraced before parting and mentioned meeting again soon.
As Merritt walked away, Lyman suddenly turned. His gaze settled on her. “What did you two talk about before I arrived p>
His eyes made her chest tighten. She gripped the strap of her bag. “Nothing important. Just small talk.” Then she opened the car door and got in before he could press further.
𝗦𝗵𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺о𝘶𝘳 f𝖺𝘃о𝘳𝘪𝗍𝘦𝘴 𝖿𝘳𝗼𝗆
Lyman stood there for a moment. One second. Two.
Kailey’s pulse pounded in her ears. Just when she felt she could no longer hold her expression together, he finally walked around and got in from the other side.
She let out the breath she had been holding and leaned her head back against the seat as though she were simply resting.
Lyman didn’t question her again. When they returned to Mountain View Residence, he went straight to his study.
After showering, Kailey stood by the window with her arms folded.
Before today, she’d had nothing to go on. But now she had a thread to pull — and she couldn’t pretend she hadn’t seen it. The problem was finding someone she could trust.
After turning it over in her mind, only one name remained: Shawn.
Kailey lifted a hand and pressed it briefly against her face. Asking someone loyal to Lyman for help was dangerous. But if she handled it carefully, no one would find out.
The night slipped quietly by.
Kailey woke early the next morning but stayed in her bedroom. From behind the curtains, she watched Lyman’s car ease out of the driveway. Only after it disappeared did she change her clothes, unhurried and deliberate.