Chapter 403
Chapter 403:
“Don’t be afraid,” Asher said, taking her hand. “He may be suspicious, but he doesn’t know where you are. If he did, he’d already be here. We just need to close things with Leo tonight, and then we leave Raskor for good p>
The steadiness of his hand against hers slowed her pulse. She looked at him. “How did he figure it out so quickly p>
“Do you know anyone here in Raskor?” Asher asked.
“No,” she said — then stopped. A face surfaced in her memory, one that looked startlingly like Colton’s.
Asher caught the shift in her expression immediately. “What is it p>
Kristine told him about her encounter with Goodwin — the man outside the restaurant, his last name, the resemblance.
“He shares Colton’s last name. Do you think they’re connected p>
Asher was quiet for a moment. “I’ll have Tripp look into him p>
Kristine nodded, but the worry hadn’t left her face. “If Goodwin is tied to Colton p>
“Stay calm. My people are tracking Colton — he hasn’t left the country yet. If Goodwin is family, then Colton is likely already on his way to Raskor.” He said it evenly, but the implication was clear.
𝘑𝘰𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝘩𝗲 c𝗈𝘮𝗆u𝗇𝗶ty at
Kristine nodded again, and felt her heart begin to race all over again.
Back in Peudon, Colton read through Bobby’s report with a cold, humorless smile spreading across his face.
Asher’s injury was fabricated. He was in Raskor.
And if Devin was right, Kristine was there with him.
But why would she fake her own death?
The answer assembled itself quickly in his mind. She had done it to make him feel guilty — and while he was grieving, she had slipped away to find Goodwin, positioning herself to force her way into the Yates family through his father.
Kristine had always been desperate to marry him. His recent post must have been the final blow. She had lost faith in him and decided to go around him instead. The kidnapping of Elyse — all of it — had been part of the plan.
Colton let out a short, bitter laugh.
He had spent days mourning her. He had wept over her. He had held that urn like it was the most sacred thing in the world — and she had been alive the entire time, pulling strings in the background.
He had let a woman make a fool of him.
The fury turned inward, and he swept everything off his desk in one sharp motion. Papers scattered across the floor.
A soft knock came at the door.
“Come in,” he said, his voice cutting.
Elyse opened the door. She looked at the mess on the floor, then at him, and spoke carefully. “Colton, I’m about to leave. Is everything all right p>
He looked at her calm, open face and rubbed his aching temple. Why couldn’t Kristine simply be like this — steady and straightforward — instead of forever maneuvering and deceiving?
Love built on lies was no love at all.
“I’m fine,” he said, turning away. “What time does your flight leave p>
“In two hours.” She hesitated, then asked quietly, “Are you certain you won’t come to Evira with me p>
“I’m not going,” he said flatly.