Chapter 406
Chapter 406:
Kristine stepped back, the shock genuine and immediate. She looked at him again, as if seeing him for the first time. The resemblance was there, certainly — but the energy between them was entirely different. Colton ran cold and closed. Goodwin felt like something older and more calculated — a man who kept warmth on the surface and a blade close behind it. And he looked absurdly young, as if he could still pass for his early forties.
“You don’t believe me,” Goodwin said pleasantly. “I understand. You and Colton were together for four years and we never once crossed paths. I don’t even have photos to show you.” He paused, then brightened. “Actually — wait p>
He held out his phone. “There. That’s me, and that’s Colton. You know Victoria and Luna p>
Kristine looked at the photograph. Standing next to Colton was a woman she didn’t recognize — gentle-faced, soft-looking, nothing like either Victoria or Goodwin. She had a feeling she knew who it was.
Popular stories on.com
“Satisfied?” Goodwin asked, pocketing the phone.
Kristine returned her gaze to him, her expression flat. “It doesn’t particularly matter to me who you are,” she said coldly.
He stepped closer. “How can you say that? I stay out of Colton’s personal life as a rule — but I know you love him. Perhaps we can help each other. Victoria has no warmth for you and will do whatever she can to keep you away from Colton. But if you help me win Alma over, I’ll give the two of you my blessing.” He said it with the easy confidence of a man accustomed to having his offers accepted.
Kristine looked at him — and what crossed her face was not fear, not anger, not even contempt. It was pity.
Goodwin blinked. As the patriarch of the most powerful family in Gridron, he had been looked at with envy, with resentment, even with hatred on occasion. But no one had ever looked at him with pity before.
“What exactly is that expression for?” he asked, his tone sharpening.
Kristine’s mind went straight to Colton. They said the apple never fell far from the tree, and looking at Goodwin now, she could see exactly where Colton had learned to divide himself between two women.
“Did you tell Colton I was here in Raskor?” she asked directly.
“I haven’t spoken to Colton in some time,” Goodwin replied.
He seemed to mean it. But if that was true, how much did Colton actually know — and how had he come to know it?
The anxiety that had been simmering beneath the surface surged. She needed to find Asher and get out of this house.
She checked her watch and turned sharply back toward the main building, walking quickly.
Goodwin scrambled to keep pace. “Wait — you haven’t given me an answer p>
She didn’t respond, and she didn’t slow down.
But the moment she reached the door, Alma appeared directly in her path.
“There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Alma said with a wide grin.
Kristine kept her voice measured. “What is it p>
“You’re interested in watches, aren’t you? You have to come upstairs and see my collection p>
“Not right now, Alma. I need to find Asher p>
“They’re still finishing up the paperwork — they’ll be tied up for a while yet.” Alma closed her fingers around Kristine’s arm and steered her firmly toward the staircase. “Come on, it’ll only take a minute p>