Chapter 404
Chapter 404:
A major cultural event in Evira was beginning in a few days. Since Elyse had taken first place in the Antique Matchup, she was required to attend. Despite its significance, Colton had absolutely no interest in being there.
“All right.” Disappointment flickered briefly across Elyse’s face before she smoothed it over. “Take care of yourself while I’m gone. Your stomach has been bothering you — please don’t skip meals p>
Colton went still.
Those were the exact words Kristine used to say to him.
He pressed his fingers to his forehead, still struggling to reconcile the girl he once knew with the person who had apparently engineered all of this.
S𝖺𝗏𝘦 𝘆𝗈𝘂𝗋 𝗳𝖺𝘷o𝗿𝗂te 𝗇о𝘃𝖾l𝘀 𝗈𝗇.с𝗈m
Once Elyse was gone, silence settled over the room.
Colton picked up his phone and called Devin. “Have you found her yet p>
“Not yet,” Devin said, sounding worn.
Colton’s eyes narrowed. “Then stay on my father. Don’t let him out of your sight p>
The logic was simple — if Kristine was looking for Goodwin, Goodwin would lead him straight to her.
“Understood,” Devin replied, stifling a yawn.
He privately thought the whole situation was absurd. Kristine had actually staged her own death over an obsession with Colton. The lengths people went to never ceased to baffle him.
The days that followed were quiet — almost suspiciously so — and Kristine had finally begun to breathe a little easier.
The evening of the contract signing arrived.
Asher reviewed the paperwork one final time, then looked up at Kristine. “The moment it’s signed tonight, we leave. Immediately p>
“My bags are already packed,” she said. “Where are we going p>
“I don’t know yet,” Asher replied.
Kristine stared at him.
“Colton is thorough,” he explained. “If we plan a destination in advance, there’s a chance he could trace it. We’ll decide at the last possible moment — pick something at random, somewhere even we wouldn’t have predicted.” He paused. “If we don’t know where we’re going until we go, he can’t know either p>
Kristine thought it through and gave a reluctant nod. The logic held — but the uncertainty sat uneasily in her stomach all the same.
The sun dropped below the horizon, and night settled over the city.
Kristine and Asher drove to Leo’s estate. The streets glittered with warm light, but Kristine barely noticed. By the time they passed through the gates, her nerves had pulled taut. Something felt wrong — a low, persistent sense that eyes were following her from the dark. Each time she turned to look, the corridors were empty and still.
A butler met them in the entrance hall and led them through the house with practiced efficiency. “Mr. Ford is expecting you in his study upstairs. If you’ll follow me p>
Asher and the butler stepped into the elevator. Kristine stayed behind in the living room to wait.
She had barely sat down when a sharp, irritated voice drifted in from the direction of the front door.
“Mr. Yates, are you deaf? I have told you repeatedly — I want nothing to do with you. Stop following me p>