Chapter 153
Chapter 153:
Frey had already noticed the commotion and smiled with calm assurance. “Don’t panic. I’ve sailed these waters for years. They’re all on land — not a single boat among them. Even if they had one, they couldn’t catch us. You’re safe p>
With that, the vessel surged ahead. The bow lifted high, slicing through the waves as their speed increased.
Kristine looked back at the shrinking shoreline. Her lips curved upward, and for the first time that night, she smiled — a genuine, quiet smile of relief.
Colton climbed out of the car, and the fishing boat caught his eye as it lingered beneath the moonlight — no more than a passing shadow being swallowed by the dark. The distance between them kept growing, and the boat slowly slipped farther out of reach.
A sharp wave of panic hit his chest.
Without wasting another second, he pulled out his phone and called Frey. During the drive over, he had already dug deep into everything related to Vance’s family.
On the boat, Kristine noticed the phone vibrating and wouldn’t stop.
“Mr. Bailey, your phone is ringing p>
“Can you get it for me?” Frey said, keeping his attention locked on steering.
“All right p>
𝗪е𝖾k𝗹𝘺 𝘳еle𝖺𝗌𝘦𝘀 𝗼𝗻
Kristine answered the call, and a calm yet forceful voice came through from the other end. “Let Kristine answer the phone p>
That unmistakable authority sent a chill through her, stirring fears she kept buried deep. After a brief pause, she ended the call and lowered the phone.
Back on the shore, Colton heard the line go dead, and his gaze tightened at once. Kristine — she had been the one who picked up. He tried again immediately, but the call went unanswered.
Several minutes passed. Frey glanced back at the car lights shrinking behind them until they looked like scattered stars. With clear satisfaction, he turned to Kristine. “See? We lost them p>
Kristine met his eyes and laughed when she saw the look on his face — the kind that made him resemble a smug old fox. “I have to admit it. That was impressive p>
Frey’s laughter grew louder, and his grin stretched wide.
Right at that moment, his phone started ringing again. This time it was not Colton — Susan’s name appeared on the screen as a video call.
“Oh, come on. She knows I am busy steering the boat, and she still calls,” Frey muttered, though his smile only widened.
Kristine watched him, her own smile spreading. “I can take it p>
“Sure,” Frey replied, tossing the phone her way.
After catching it, she accepted the video call — and the screen filled with the one face she had hoped never to see again.
The smile she wore stiffened and faded in an instant.
Colton caught the change right away, and it felt like something sharp drove straight into his chest. A moment later, his expression hardened. “Kristine, stop playing games. You are coming home now p>
Cold resolve filled her eyes. “Colton, listen carefully, because I am not repeating myself. I am done with you, and I am cutting every tie between us p>
His voice dropped, heavy and unforgiving. “Seven years does not disappear that easily. Do you really think you can just throw it all away p>