Chapter 143
Normally, Winter was measured and careful. She had never acted on impulse like that before.
Seeing that Roy had neither snapped at her nor stormed off, and was only sitting there on the couch with his head lowered, quietly putting his glove back on, Winter felt a stab of guilt.
She crouched down in front of him and pressed her palms together. “I’m sorry, Roy. I p>
Roy fastened the magnetic clasp on his glove, then lowered his eyes to look at Winter crouching in front of him, her face full of apology, so ashamed she looked like she wanted to disappear. Something in his gaze darkened. He pulled out his phone.
“Why p>
Roy held the phone out to her.
So her excuse about her hand slipping really had been terrible. He hadn’t believed it for a second.
Winter thought it over, but there was no way she could admit that she had suspected he was Gavin. In the end, she could only force herself to say, “I was curious p>
Roy fell silent for a few seconds, then typed two words into his phone.
“Never mind p>
Winter felt even worse.
A moment later, he typed another line.
“My hands were burned in a fire. I wear compression gloves all year to keep the scars from getting worse p>
Winter wanted to smack herself.
Why had she ever thought Roy might be Gavin?
Leaving aside how busy Gavin was, one look at Gavin was enough to tell she and Zion were not close. But Roy, even if he said he was letting it go, was clearly giving off a colder vibe now.
Still crouching by his feet, Winter said earnestly, “I’m sorry, Roy. I mean it. If you’re mad, hit me a couple times. I won’t fight back. Not that I could beat you anyway. I won’t even make a sound p>
Roy looked at her quietly, then slipped his phone back into his pocket.
Suddenly, he raised his hand.
Winter reflexively squeezed her eyes shut.
Her lashes trembled, her lips pressed tight. Even now, she remembered her promise. She would not make a sound.
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Then she felt something touch her shoulder.
+25 Bonus
Winter opened her eyes. Roy was poking her shoulder with his index finger, gesturing for her to keep
going.
That was his way of saying it was over.
After training ended, Winter looked at Roy’s back and let out another sigh over her own impulsiveness.
After days of nonstop rain, the sky had finally cleared.
Winter arrived with the station’s news van at Liono City’s new senior care center.
The facility had been built by the Xander family. It was currently the largest senior care center in the country, with every amenity in place and everything designed to make the residents feel comfortable and at home.
Today was the ribbon–cutting ceremony.
The Xander family had invited a long list of media outlets.
As a TV reporter, Winter was naturally among them.
She had just stepped out of the van and clipped on her press badge when a Rolls–Royce Phantom pulled up beside her. The car looked familiar. A second later, the door opened.
Steve stepped out with a smile. “Winnie p>
Then he leaned in a little closer, the smile in his eyes deepening. “I heard you’re divorcing Chris p>
If Mrs. Xander Sr. already knew, it was no surprise Steve did too. Winter had nothing to hide. “What, daydreaming again in broad daylight p>
Steve loved that teasing edge in her voice. “You and me sound a whole lot better than you and Chris ever did. Once the divorce is final, I’m taking my shot p>
He lowered his head and looked into her eyes, his voice dropping. “I can help you get the papers signed
sooner p>
A chill ran through Winter for no clear reason.
She suddenly thought of the conversation she had overheard that night at Nocturne.
Someone in the Xander family was working with Fabian Kane.
Could it be Steve?
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