Chapter 66
Chapter 66:
Could it have been Asher who pressured them? But then again — she checked her messages again. She was certain she had sent him a message the previous night, and there had been no reply.
“What are you staring at p>
Colton’s deep, steady voice cut through the quiet without warning. Caught off guard, Kristine tucked her phone away immediately. “It’s nothing p>
The flicker of unease in her eyes did not escape him. His brows drew together, and his tone was flat. “We’re heading back p>
With the situation already resolved, there was no longer any reason for Kristine to rush to Peudon. She moved toward the car in silence and climbed in.
𝗜𝗻s𝗍𝗮ո𝗍 𝘢𝘤𝗰е𝘴𝘴 o𝗻
The vehicle headed straight back to the villa.
The moment Claire saw Kristine step out of the car, the color drained from her face. An identical reaction rippled through the security team the instant they recognized her.
“Mr. Yates p>
Panic spread as everyone snapped to attention. Colton swept his gaze across the gathered staff, then looked at Kristine. “Go upstairs first p>
She moved closer and spoke quietly. “I left on my own. No one helped me p>
With that, she turned and made her way up the stairs.
As she passed through the staff, Claire stole a brief, startled glance at her. Kristine kept walking without turning her head, as though she had noticed nothing at all.
For a short moment, Colton watched her retreating figure, then shifted his attention to the staff. His voice turned cold. “You’re all dismissed p>
Relief swept through the group, and they dispersed quickly.
Colton lifted his gaze toward the second floor. By then, Kristine was already out of sight.
Oddly, a sense of calm settled in his chest for the first time in days. The fact that she had managed to slip out meant someone inside the villa had helped her — yet she had spoken up on their behalf instead of letting them take the blame. She was still the same person she had always been.
Up in her room, Kristine sent Asher a message. “Thank you p>
Five minutes later, a reply came. “For what p>
“For helping me recover the antiques p>
“It wasn’t me p>
Shock rippled through her.
If it had not been Asher, then…
Her eyes shifted instinctively toward the floor below, yet she pushed the thought aside almost immediately. That could not be right. It had nothing to do with Colton. There was no reason for him to travel to Peudon on her account.
Still — if not Colton, then who?
After a brief moment of thought, she made up her mind and went downstairs.
On the lower floor, Colton was speaking on the phone. His voice carried an unfamiliar softness, and under the warm lighting his usually sharp features appeared gentler than usual.
That particular tone and expression were reserved only for Elyse.
Kristine turned to leave — then Colton’s voice stopped her from behind.
“Were you looking for me p>
She halted. “I just wanted to ask p>
Her eyes landed on something resting on a nearby tray. A small charm, the kind people believed offered protection and kept danger at bay. She had even considered buying one for herself at one point.