The sound of running feet woke Malcom up, and he couldn’t help but groan as he felt the sharp pain in his shoulder. He scoffed after he remembered the injury he sustained to the shoulder yesterday. So much has happened, he thought to himself. He turned around on his bed, grateful that he didn’t have to go to work today. A sudden knock on the door interrupted him.41Please respect copyright.PENANAagAId97rqY
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He turned his head to look at the door and had a funny feeling that Greta stood behind it. He turned away again, but the knocking on the door became even louder. He had no choice but to let her in.41Please respect copyright.PENANAIR3HiLljsX
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The door flew open, and Greta, in her white pajamas, came in, closing the door behind her.41Please respect copyright.PENANAjq8tZ2DxlH
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"What is it?" Malcom pulled the covers over his face.41Please respect copyright.PENANADAjqfEr0h4
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Greta huffed. "Wow, I have never seen you in the mood not to get out of bed," she said as she looked at her brother with her arms folded. "Is it because of the wound on your shoulder? I hope you're not coming down with a fever or something."41Please respect copyright.PENANArWXXYyUTrv
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"No, Rhénee patched me up just fine, so I’m not even worried about an infection. I’m just tired, that’s all. Why are you here?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAgtvIe5ZklM
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Greta sat on her brother’s bed, and Malcom uncovered his face after seeing Greta on his bed. If he had the strength, he would’ve kicked her off of it. Now wasn’t a time for a fight. He really needed some sleep. So the sooner she leaves, the better.41Please respect copyright.PENANAoNyRjipAek
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"I heard mum talking downstairs," she answered in a whisper. "Something about a shootout."41Please respect copyright.PENANAtxXMEVHPDB
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"Which one? Remember, we had quite a blast yesterday."41Please respect copyright.PENANANN0vPXLFu6
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"I know. I’m not sure. However, she sounded like she was talking to one of her people. I’m guessing it was that time when you went to get Rhénee from the forest."41Please respect copyright.PENANACI2d8yl9uf
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"Okay. What else did she say?"41Please respect copyright.PENANA7rxPuNhkV8
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"She mentioned something about an injury and that someone died. Did you or Rhénee happen to shoot anyone in the forest?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAMHjmDwJ1dE
41Please respect copyright.PENANASZCtiLCS5P
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Malcom recalled shooting someone during the shootout and remembered that he only injured a man. "I only injured someone," he answered.41Please respect copyright.PENANAsplzEidQaZ
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"Don’t tell me you killed the other one?" Greta asked, looking horrified.41Please respect copyright.PENANAyNUgOkDi9P
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"No. Rhénee did. She shot him because he was going to kill me."41Please respect copyright.PENANApv2hexJ3Tx
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"Wow! She is really something, huh? I now remember how she handed me a gun yesterday, like it was nothing. Is it possible that she must have undergone some training that we aren’t aware of?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAZxksM7GXWl
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"That’s the only explanation I could think of. When it came down to it yesterday, she was calm and cool. Even when she shot the guy at point blank range, she didn’t seem shaken."41Please respect copyright.PENANAIk3vTElhXF
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"You talk like you’re admiring her for her collectiveness and bravery. I wish I could be like that too. I hate to admit it, but yesterday she was so cool. I never knew she had it in her. She might be a rich kid who only wants to lay low, but she seems like a feisty tiger on the inside."41Please respect copyright.PENANAiNiUcyOBYr
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Malcom rolled his eyes at her sister. "You sure have her figured out. I just wish she told us."41Please respect copyright.PENANAY4TEfU8S0F
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"She’ll tell us when she finds it fitting. I mean, if her life wasn’t in danger that time at the party, we pretty much wouldn’t have revealed to her just yet that we were out here protecting her."41Please respect copyright.PENANA6AeRvkgmOD
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Malcom knew his sister was right. He couldn’t help but feel something heavy in his chest. Was it disappointment? Disappointment that Rhénee didn’t tell them about how well she could handle herself when it came to self-defense. A big part of him really wanted her to have told them a lot earlier.41Please respect copyright.PENANAUEd9odYtcB
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"Is that all you came to tell me?" Malcom asked.41Please respect copyright.PENANAwgdj36Gie0
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"Yeah," Greta answered. "Are we going to visit Rhénee today?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAlsRAuEs164
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"As much as I want to, I suggest we don’t go there for today. Mum will start to think something fishy is going on."41Please respect copyright.PENANAFUCR6UqdSE
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"I don’t think so." Greta sat a little upright on the bed, almost bouncing. "She does want us to be close to Rhénee, doesn't she?"41Please respect copyright.PENANABbMARVhgos
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"So that she could harm her in some way. I know we have to stick to the plan, but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. It already shows that Rhénee doesn’t need us all the time."41Please respect copyright.PENANA7hGFlq5HIz
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"Yeah, I know she can defend herself and all that, but we still need to keep our promise, you know."41Please respect copyright.PENANApBCBb4PQrO
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Malcom gave a nod of his head, assuring his sister that he hadn’t forgotten. "We can go see her in the evening if you want," he said.41Please respect copyright.PENANArK92hGuufi
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"That will be great," said Greta, beaming with excitement. "I’ll text her to let her know."41Please respect copyright.PENANAqx93ora1Uj
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With that, Greta jumped off Malcom’s bed and quickly ran out of his room, careful enough to close the door behind her. Malcom couldn’t help but notice how excited she was just now. Greta is one person who has many friends, but he bet none of them ever thrilled her or got her excited like Rhénee did. Like Greta mentioned, Rhénee was cool, and she did so without even trying.41Please respect copyright.PENANA7ExtQxsyaw
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Her bravery still fascinated Malcom as he continued to lay down in bed to think about it. She saved his life without hesitation, and when it came to saving Miss Griselda, she wasn’t afraid to reveal herself to the enemy. He always thought Rhénee was just like any ordinary person who needed protection, but he was wrong. She was different. Maybe the late Emelda would’ve known, or maybe she might have a feeling of who she could become. He wished if Emelda had known; she would’ve given him and the others a heads up. However, she was mysterious, so she definitely wouldn’t have.41Please respect copyright.PENANAoXowaUJ8rv
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He turned to look up at the ceiling and realized that he couldn’t stop thinking about Rhénee. The path he is on is a dangerous one, but the thought of Rhénee being on it made his heart get thrills like his sister did.41Please respect copyright.PENANAAlIGwP3Rav
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***41Please respect copyright.PENANA4AzqSKg8Zn
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Mr. Sinclair walked into his office and found Rhénee seated facing his desk. Upon him opening the door, Rhénee turned to look at him.41Please respect copyright.PENANAuBd9e9gKdc
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"I see you’re doing fine," said Mr. Sinclair as he closed the door behind him and went for his desk. "For someone who had a pretty tough day."41Please respect copyright.PENANAuIE6Q0HSqs
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Knowing that Sinclair was making fun of her, Rhénee remembered her promise to Miss Griselda for now. "I’m good; how are you?" she greeted41Please respect copyright.PENANAlNigzDONHk
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"Greater than you, I suppose." Mr. Sinclair sat down on his chair, pressing his jacket down as he did so. Rhénee felt she couldn’t hold her tongue any longer, but she still didn’t lash out.41Please respect copyright.PENANAiLdUg2qFkR
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"Sorry for the delay," Sinclair apologized. "There was something I had to take care of."41Please respect copyright.PENANA6Zg7Ts5nzg
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"Will we be leaving soon?" Rhénee asked.41Please respect copyright.PENANA4xo4e8V7Ef
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"Ah, yes. But before we go, I wanted to ask something."41Please respect copyright.PENANAf2ZXWw56nZ
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Rhénee almost raised an eyebrow, but she didn’t as she tried her best to keep a straight face. "What is it?" she asked.41Please respect copyright.PENANADW1Ee1IA1z
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"No one came by at the house to cause any trouble last night, did they?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAtNUor091fu
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"No," Rhénee replied at the same time, shaking her head. "Did you expect a shootout to take place at the house after what had happened?"41Please respect copyright.PENANA1Dy7l4VbtM
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Sinclair shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe. But right now, no one is stupid enough to shoot at your house."41Please respect copyright.PENANAuCnssHGoAU
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"Why? I thought I was a target for whoever was out there."41Please respect copyright.PENANADuv8AiWYdv
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Sinclair smirked. "You've got a lot to learn, my dear. We better get going. I booked us a place at a very fancy restaurant. You will love it."41Please respect copyright.PENANA2Zbyzv5aXb
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They both stood at the same time, and Sinclair gestured that Rhénee be the first to leave the room. Before she could take a step towards the door, she said:41Please respect copyright.PENANAkrEr9nhT9e
41Please respect copyright.PENANA4E90g1bmhC
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"Before we leave, I have a question to ask you, Mr. Sinclair."41Please respect copyright.PENANAQxFof6Rq9m
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"Oh?" Sinclair looked intrigued. "What is it?"41Please respect copyright.PENANA5Pf9IID3L7
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"When I came here to your office, I couldn’t help but eavesdrop on a conversation your secretary had with a certain employer. If I remember, his name is Eugene. Apparently, his father is in the hospital. Was his father in any way involved with the shooting that took place when I went to see the cottage?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAv5GELLQ8mr
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This made Sinclair raise an eyebrow. "How are you sure that he was one of those people?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAkvD1rmwn9p
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"Because it feels like it. You know what’s going on better than I do, so answer the question."41Please respect copyright.PENANAhfLmgskFpW
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"Mm, you’re a tough one as always."41Please respect copyright.PENANAxOUNPCd0rw
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"I must have gotten it from my grandmother."41Please respect copyright.PENANAy1alnCFFrd
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"Since it was passed down to your father first, no doubt."41Please respect copyright.PENANAnqrwmemORr
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"Aren't you going to answer the question?"41Please respect copyright.PENANA59hBBbhCKV
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"I will." Mr. Sinclair smiled at her. "And the answer is that the man in the hospital is none of your concern."41Please respect copyright.PENANAvxR2HR6N80
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Rhénee rolled her eyes. "I thought the only reason we were meeting for lunch was to talk about what's going on. Here you are acting like a parent and telling me lies."41Please respect copyright.PENANAZBTUzcEAIE
41Please respect copyright.PENANA0p9MEKZyNN
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"If you think about it a little harder, your late grandmother did put me in charge of not only your finances but somehow your life. So, yes. In any case, I'm more like your parent."41Please respect copyright.PENANArB20H4y76v
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"I'm going to ask one more time, Mr. Sinclair," said Rhénee as she now folded her arms. "Is Eugene's father involved in all of this?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAj9JrIFVsuJ
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Mr. Sinclair opened his mouth to speak but closed it as he raised his eyebrow, wondering whether to answer the question. "We'll talk about this over lunch," he answered. "Shall we? We're going to be late, and I made a reservation for the place."41Please respect copyright.PENANAPWvho1MiFn
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Rhénee scoffed. She knew pestering was going to lead to a dead end, and she shouldn’t have tried to do so in the first place. She gave a nod of her head and started to make her way to the door without saying a word.41Please respect copyright.PENANAyY0YG8yF3g
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***41Please respect copyright.PENANAmEM63grCjR
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Kevin quickly gulped down the orange juice served to him as he stood under the beach umbrella on the patio out back. Miss Griselda had settled under the umbrella, comfortably on the chair with Sophie the cat, sleeping soundly beside the chair.41Please respect copyright.PENANAojhEAhZxUg
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"Well, that hit the spot," said Kevin as he finished his glass. "Thank you, Miss Griselda."41Please respect copyright.PENANAH3MRUozDSa
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"No problem," she said with a smile on her face. "It’s getting a little hot these days. It’s good to hydrate more often."41Please respect copyright.PENANAejE7Ws9YC4
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"I saw Rhénee drive off. Did she go see Mr. Sinclair?"41Please respect copyright.PENANApNZChORKKO
41Please respect copyright.PENANAVmnTOxauJ5
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"Yes. They agreed to meet," said Miss Griselda. "They want to talk over what happened yesterday."41Please respect copyright.PENANASy1edW3JIA
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"So much happened. When I think about the incident last night, I still can’t believe that Mr. Cowell was involved in all this the entire time."41Please respect copyright.PENANARYwF4f1LMi
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"Explains why he managed to get that finger inside the house. He must have sneaked in through the back, and people from outside wouldn’t question him since he works here or used to work here."41Please respect copyright.PENANAvy7DMcTgpM
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"True. I passed by his house this morning."41Please respect copyright.PENANAHT5kHEbdvH
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"You what? Did anyone see you?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAF96uA5OMc8
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"No. Since Malcom broke down the door, it might raise some questions, and the neighbors would think something was wrong and call the police. So I went over there and fixed it a little to make it look like nothing happened."41Please respect copyright.PENANAYgULI524yB
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"Strange." Miss Griselda now stood upright. "Mr. Cowell never came back to his house?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAVSiawZ0LkY
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"Well, after that shootout, do you think he survived?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAEk2GUYFIlD
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Miss Griselda’s face soon went pale at the thought of Mr. Cowell dead. She started to shake her head.41Please respect copyright.PENANAz1t4PO1NQa
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"No," she said. "He can’t possibly be dead."41Please respect copyright.PENANAUSZz5t6ZJY
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"Then he would’ve been home by the time I was fixing the door. Or he might be with his group, planning what to do next since they failed to capture Rhénee."41Please respect copyright.PENANA9tzymnWdmU
41Please respect copyright.PENANA0qSbmgVTnj
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"Will it be possible to go and check his house?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAXouIXpc2p1
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"Wait, you want to go now?" Kevin didn’t like the idea, and it could clearly show on his face.41Please respect copyright.PENANAB2JtqvVO3U
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"Maybe we will be able to catch him and ask why he did all this."41Please respect copyright.PENANAYJaPNZJm2F
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Kevin sat on the chair opposite hers. "No offense, Miss Griselda. But that’s a terrible idea. And what’s the possibility that he won’t shoot us? It will even be worse if he isn’t alone."41Please respect copyright.PENANAHRTHzL6FCx
41Please respect copyright.PENANA3LS7LC0H4y
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"I know. All I am saying is that I just hope he’s not dead or anything. That would be terrible."41Please respect copyright.PENANAWTZbLYEHUw
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"Miss Griselda, if Rhénee hadn’t rescued you last night, you would be dead right now. I wouldn’t feel so much remorse for Mr. Collins after what he has done."41Please respect copyright.PENANAZ8PUbEd7Lk
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"So you preferred he was dead?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAwWANcJUbDd
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"I don’t wish death on anyone, but betraying us like that after all Emelda did for him is unforgiveable. You of all people should know that."41Please respect copyright.PENANAWx0FWI7Jgn
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"All the more reason to ask him."41Please respect copyright.PENANA9nZM4TrfXR
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"Doing that will only get you killed. And if anything were to happen to you again, Rhénee wouldn’t be too happy about it."41Please respect copyright.PENANAxpJffdongw
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Miss Griselda raised an eyebrow at him. "You know she won’t be too happy with you that you let me go on my own. You’ll do anything to impress her, won’t you?"41Please respect copyright.PENANA2a51UxywPw
41Please respect copyright.PENANAM1Rfl4jVnW
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"What? No, I wouldn’t." Kevin denied it, as he felt his cheeks start to heat up.41Please respect copyright.PENANAjS2OejEnV0
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Griselda smiled at him. "I see the way you look at her. You can’t hide from me, you know."41Please respect copyright.PENANAyjHP1UxxWm
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Kevin stood a little straighter. "I’ll be going back to work now. Please don’t even think of going to Mr. Cowell’s house, Miss Griselda."41Please respect copyright.PENANApE88ANsQdz
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"I know my Rhénee, and I wouldn’t do anything to upset her. For your sake, of course."41Please respect copyright.PENANAsX9CfjMMo3
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Kevin knew that Miss Griselda was making fun of him with that last statement, so he decided not to answer as he made his way back into the garden. Miss Griselda watched him go and sighed.41Please respect copyright.PENANAbwFKeYHhfC
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"A young love," she said to herself. She turned to look at Sophie, who was now wide-awake, watching Kevin walk away. "Do you think the two have a shot at being together, Sophie?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAj3hI1fF2U0
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Sophie looked up at Miss Griselda and gave a low meow before laying its head back on the ground.41Please respect copyright.PENANAT0hoWLMGTW
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"Until the danger is done," Miss Griselda said in an agreeable tone.41Please respect copyright.PENANAGwVVG8Ffi4
41Please respect copyright.PENANAtSl5PyIVnU
41Please respect copyright.PENANAE3PKwKro88
***41Please respect copyright.PENANA86eRO1uYHS
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Rhénee and Mr. Sinclair had just walked out of the elevator and into the lobby when they saw Eugene standing outside the building through the glass doors. Rhénee couldn’t help but notice him a little more and realize that he had dark circles under his eyes. It must be due to his worry that his father’s in the hospital. She looked into his eyes, but there was no sign of remorse. Could something else have happened, she thought.41Please respect copyright.PENANAUXl4BzHb2C
41Please respect copyright.PENANA7HatTw0uLe
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Mr. Sinclair and Rhénee walked out through the front doors, approaching Eugene.41Please respect copyright.PENANAghiXEE7sew
41Please respect copyright.PENANANqQ6iA0MUr
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"Going out for lunch, Eugene?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he stopped to talk with Eugene.41Please respect copyright.PENANAa2F0YRSKTS
41Please respect copyright.PENANAt8Z5noAHsq
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"Ah, yes," Eugene replied. "I’m just waiting for Preeta."41Please respect copyright.PENANAR7r8WKpdIW
41Please respect copyright.PENANAz9EItgCmrY
41Please respect copyright.PENANA4e4KUFUKsP
"You can take a day off, Eugene. With your father in the hospital, people are already wondering why you’re even out here working."41Please respect copyright.PENANAGU1fTjSq0c
41Please respect copyright.PENANASfO1TofoEE
41Please respect copyright.PENANAaSfdCHmxFB
"All people do is talk all the time, so I don’t mind." Eugene put up a weak smile.41Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2iUhnWxaA
41Please respect copyright.PENANAAX2BTfevI1
41Please respect copyright.PENANAnvMKMcm2B5
Rhénee stepped closer towards Eugene, which surprised him a little bit. He almost backed away but fought the urge to do so. He didn’t want to look weird in front of her.41Please respect copyright.PENANA8YAF3SAQL4
41Please respect copyright.PENANA4RzwXpZZRn
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"Sorry, but I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation with the secretary earlier when I came," said Rhénee. "I’m so sorry to hear about your father, and I wish him a quick recovery."41Please respect copyright.PENANAZM6gHkjIf7
41Please respect copyright.PENANAPXaavVSyN8
41Please respect copyright.PENANAPySUDWhYhE
Eugene gave a nod of his head, and his weak smile grew a little wider. "Thank you, Miss Johnson," he said.41Please respect copyright.PENANAfeAwCFDe3J
41Please respect copyright.PENANAe3sSsmyTOw
41Please respect copyright.PENANA62PIkz7grJ
"Call me Rhénee. As Mr. Sinclair said earlier, you shouldn’t be working right now. You look like you haven’t slept at all."41Please respect copyright.PENANAb5s8JJ6MTS
41Please respect copyright.PENANATLs4YkOvMQ
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"Since you’re requesting it, I’ll take your advice, Rhénee."41Please respect copyright.PENANAhBqLI0f8G1
41Please respect copyright.PENANASQUemyxjoW
41Please respect copyright.PENANAN5o5Xxj9yo
"We better be going now," said Mr. Sinclair, who watched them with interesting eyes. "I’ll see you later, Eugene."41Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2Y08uEUG7
41Please respect copyright.PENANAhp9ibkRjkz
41Please respect copyright.PENANAsAQRnMFp48
"Take care," said Rhénee as she started to follow Mr. Sinclair to his car.41Please respect copyright.PENANAXkT3UUP1bw
41Please respect copyright.PENANAsDHuZzy7nx
41Please respect copyright.PENANAXf7ZCNwsRU
When they were out earshot, Mr. Sinclair couldn’t help but say, "Well, that was something."41Please respect copyright.PENANA4JXinr3aEa
41Please respect copyright.PENANAVPcLiZlvnp
41Please respect copyright.PENANAnPA0vWNKif
Rhénee raised an eyebrow at him as they approached his black Lamborghini. "You’re making fun of me," she said. "So I take it that his father was involved with the shooting that happened at the cottage?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAuoFe53zwk3
41Please respect copyright.PENANA9r7OkG96Rk
41Please respect copyright.PENANAvmcnsBKQjT
Mr. Sinclair didn’t say anything as he opened the door on the driver’s seat to get in. Rhénee rolled her eyes as she opened the door on the passenger side. She was more than convinced that she was right.41Please respect copyright.PENANAOCBzzRzQF4
41Please respect copyright.PENANAnCT5LMYbdQ
41Please respect copyright.PENANAPwdfKLU4Lr
"Now that you know, are you going to send his father flowers?" Sinclair asked as soon as Rhénee closed the door.41Please respect copyright.PENANAY6JzANb8yl
41Please respect copyright.PENANAzM4hHbx9Lz
41Please respect copyright.PENANAnE64zK7m51
"If I do that, I won’t be able to get anything," Rhénee replied. "Someone like him who works for the enemy isn’t going to give me what I want."41Please respect copyright.PENANAvUvZOwqVJ1
41Please respect copyright.PENANAmxtagMlJ2g
41Please respect copyright.PENANAdfx7Bn6GPX
"Do you have something in mind?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAJddRuSzKWG
41Please respect copyright.PENANA9qNRuwpYrj
41Please respect copyright.PENANASwTfv5GZ1H
Rhénee looked at Sinclair with a smirk. "If I tell you, then it won’t be fun."41Please respect copyright.PENANA7GK7Yxlc8P
41Please respect copyright.PENANAQyui12Lppw
41Please respect copyright.PENANAxvshSw4XU1
"I’ll take that," said Sinclair as he started the engine of his car. "Just make sure that whatever you do won’t get you killed."41Please respect copyright.PENANAtEq5GS7clY
41Please respect copyright.PENANA32DT7lJOLm
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"It’s already too late for that, don’t you think?" Rhénee raised an eyebrow at him.41Please respect copyright.PENANAdHyWWzjXOa
41Please respect copyright.PENANAgmUTzyO1JS
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Mr. Sinclair shook his head as he chuckled. "You make this look like it’s nothing serious."41Please respect copyright.PENANAOGUhxsRJio
41Please respect copyright.PENANAH0lZgr5fXv
41Please respect copyright.PENANAvCy2ID4jmL
"When you already know that you’ve got a target on your back, life becomes a whole lot more interesting."41Please respect copyright.PENANAk1gavscmqo
41Please respect copyright.PENANAtPGh6Ah3TF
41Please respect copyright.PENANAjyKlxMdHKN
Sinclair didn’t say anything as he drove the car out of the premises. Eugene, who continued to stand outside, watched Mr. Sinclair’s drive-off. He had one last look at Rhénee as the car drove past him. The thought that the two of them had known each other since they were kids but now acted like strangers bothered him somehow. He thought after they met for the first time, she would be casual and maybe even try to get him to remember the old days, which he had clearly forgotten. Maybe, given the circumstances right now, she couldn’t bring up such a conversation.41Please respect copyright.PENANAYCnnn7Gqlm
41Please respect copyright.PENANAYX249Y8XWG
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"Hey, your head’s in the clouds," said Preeta, who now stood beside him, bringing him back to earth.41Please respect copyright.PENANAp4YU1EWpNu
41Please respect copyright.PENANABLo9DEYteI
41Please respect copyright.PENANAs6v3Ld9cgj
"Oh, yeah, sorry about that," he apologized.41Please respect copyright.PENANAwn1VLpgKuY
41Please respect copyright.PENANA0ycYlJcLIR
41Please respect copyright.PENANAaV2bGrJ1Td
"Who is that I saw with Mr. Sinclair?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAz3wQnD55d9
41Please respect copyright.PENANAaViz9nGyBT
41Please respect copyright.PENANAUnznoXPt9k
"A client. The late Emelda's granddaughter, Rhénee."41Please respect copyright.PENANA5NwhfViwva
41Please respect copyright.PENANAlHOd5JvarW
41Please respect copyright.PENANAMkNaJSqhBF
"Oh, I heard she was in town. I would really like to meet her in person. How is she like?"41Please respect copyright.PENANA2N0WKANYRz
41Please respect copyright.PENANA6ugwzepa0P
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"She seems nice."41Please respect copyright.PENANAi9JjHVzSxh
41Please respect copyright.PENANA1NbLl1hEGk
41Please respect copyright.PENANAuctkgDj816
"Okay, we better get going. I’m starving."41Please respect copyright.PENANAdAEH14KfSH
41Please respect copyright.PENANA1vHV55E4gu
41Please respect copyright.PENANANE56tH4Kzt
Eugene agreed with her and followed Preeta to her car. In his head, he really hoped that he might have the chance to meet Rhénee under better circumstances.41Please respect copyright.PENANASITmJsQSfF
41Please respect copyright.PENANAQPE8gqM4Ct
41Please respect copyright.PENANAAJ1KGjMKai
***41Please respect copyright.PENANAMRopKJcEPB
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41Please respect copyright.PENANARijvmw4mux
Mr. Cowell couldn't help but shiver violently as he just had a bucket of ice-cold water poured all over him. His gang members surrounded him, and each of them took turns beating him. They hadn’t tied him up, but they surrounded him in a circle, throwing punches and kicks. At some point, he had passed out, hence the pouring of water to wake him up. He tried to sit up when someone came over to grab him by the collar.41Please respect copyright.PENANAY8yV0CTdEr
41Please respect copyright.PENANAtLTHnw4nc9
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"Talk, Cowell," said the man. "You helped Rhénee defeat us in one fell swoop, didn’t you? Not to mention, you had the others killed to have Miss Griselda released."41Please respect copyright.PENANAMJ6Oz1MLbR
41Please respect copyright.PENANArCYDz3cUMV
41Please respect copyright.PENANAdHK6x0rxEh
Mr. Cowell could taste the metallic taste of blood in his mouth. His cheeks felt puffy, and he could already tell that his left eye was slowly closing up. God knows just how many bruises he had all over his body. He felt he might have a few broken ribs. He wondered when all of this was going to end. He told them repeatedly that he didn’t betray them. Rhénee escaped from the clutches of one of their members, who happened to be at Cowell’s house. Apparently, the news is that he wasn’t there. Everyone, including his boss, concluded that Rhénee must have killed him and carried his body elsewhere, where they wouldn’t find him.41Please respect copyright.PENANAg82yDM0eqH
41Please respect copyright.PENANACzSGpB52zw
41Please respect copyright.PENANAVNI8tublpq
"I’m telling you for the hundredth time," said Mr. Cowell through broken teeth. "I didn’t help Rhénee. You saw what happened out there. She wasn’t alone. She came by with someone at the house, and they probably had some outside help."41Please respect copyright.PENANAZEEa5nIMh6
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In the dark and watching from across the room, sat their boss, seated on a chair with a lit cigarette in his hand. He held the back of his head where Rhénee had hit him to knock him unconscious. The fiasco last night was a complete disaster. It’s as if Rhénee knew what to expect, or was she just lucky? They had been questioning Mr. Cowell for hours now, and he still said he was innocent and that he didn’t help Rhénee. He knew Mr. Cowell wasn’t lying, but he let his men continue interrogating him just to pass time.41Please respect copyright.PENANA6zx8VpGYPr
41Please respect copyright.PENANANb1vARV9Wv
41Please respect copyright.PENANAkhwCK0B68M
The metallic door to the warehouse flew open, and there came an echoing sound of high heels on the concrete floor. Everyone paused and watched as their only female comrade, Mitchell, walked in with two other men behind her. Her dark brown hair fell in curls, and she wore a tight black dress with red-blood heels. She made her approach to the boss, ignoring the others.41Please respect copyright.PENANAoxBykRpNRP
41Please respect copyright.PENANAiLpAn2jnMA
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"Tell me you’ve brought good news," her boss barked when she got close.41Please respect copyright.PENANAI5NpdjCaq2
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Mitchell scoffed. "Nothing I tell you will soothe your soul in the slightest," she answered. "We searched everywhere, and we still can’t find him. Whoever helped Rhénee take him out must have kept him well hidden, if not buried him six feet under."41Please respect copyright.PENANA8V3Tjz2UWy
41Please respect copyright.PENANA13RPwU6MIr
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"And did you check the house like I told you to?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAO6KUpM7Djw
41Please respect copyright.PENANAhg5aphPMOC
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"We did. Mr. Cowell wasn’t lying when he said he made sure all the doors of the house were locked. The front door was busted open from the outside. She and her friend somehow managed to find the system jamming their phones. That’s how they were able to call for help. Apparently, we also found signs of a struggle in the house. It seems like Angus had to fight Rhénee and her friend before they managed to take him down."41Please respect copyright.PENANAmuNKuVZWX1
41Please respect copyright.PENANA3UAwici6ht
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"Any sign that they killed him?"41Please respect copyright.PENANAHbjzLDMmjM
41Please respect copyright.PENANAy4xJeRQCdu
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"Something tells me they only knocked him out. There wasn’t any blood except for the fake one Cowell used, found in the house."41Please respect copyright.PENANAjfVacX21ov
41Please respect copyright.PENANA0vGiIsFiNw
41Please respect copyright.PENANAtJ4HSlqGin
Her boss jumped up from his seat, kicking it behind him with such force that it hit the gray wall behind him, and one of its legs broke. Everyone, including those surrounding Mr. Cowell, turned to look at him. He was having his moods again.41Please respect copyright.PENANAqKv3ze6nRB
41Please respect copyright.PENANA81PgxvOa72
41Please respect copyright.PENANAqjvpMVQjKJ
"Calm down," Mitchell said to him. "Getting angry won’t do you any good."41Please respect copyright.PENANAqaxTl0pS8S
41Please respect copyright.PENANA6DAG3BelNf
41Please respect copyright.PENANAKMzTyLtOeL
"Then what do you want me to do? Capturing Miss Griselda and Rhénee was crucial. However, that girl somehow managed to break free of Angus to catch us off guard and rescue Miss Griselda. If we still had Miss Griselda, we would still have kept Rhénee at bay."41Please respect copyright.PENANALoWcDA29LI
41Please respect copyright.PENANAyzC6SkX9Zn
41Please respect copyright.PENANAOIb3SZFFZ6
His eyes turned to Mitchell, who looked blankly at him. He raised the hand that held his cigarette to point his finger at her.41Please respect copyright.PENANApKS17fKIzw
41Please respect copyright.PENANAtuYfIyoZAF
41Please respect copyright.PENANAsMrC3yPD7w
"You shouldn’t have left Miss Griselda all alone, Mitchell," he said. "We wouldn’t be in this mess."41Please respect copyright.PENANACEqZon87K6
41Please respect copyright.PENANA1HtcCPuM6P
41Please respect copyright.PENANA4ReEVywZuD
"Oh, you’re always looking for someone to blame, don’t you, Richard?" Mitchell asked. "I’m sorry, but I came out of the car to get you under control. Who would’ve known that Rhénee was going to come with backup? If you ask me, she should be the one to blame because she knew where to attack us when we least expected it."41Please respect copyright.PENANAoHef9Ii8QL
41Please respect copyright.PENANAPCD6N4UbfG
41Please respect copyright.PENANA2VS6GOvzuO
"Who else was guarding the car?" Richard asked, his dark eyes staring back at her like a lion who was ready to attack anyone who opposed him.41Please respect copyright.PENANAPjwWAdMU2T
41Please respect copyright.PENANAmXObcPCy7P
41Please respect copyright.PENANAJpb0k4urVt
"There was Miguel and Elliot," answered the African American who happened to be standing with his other comrades surrounding Mr. Cowell.41Please respect copyright.PENANAquMLL0WraU
41Please respect copyright.PENANATLAGy8JaQb
41Please respect copyright.PENANAZcNVlw9t3C
Mitchell turned to look at him. "Wasn’t Elliot found dead?" she asked. "Then what happened to Miguel?"41Please respect copyright.PENANA28sygd3e0k
41Please respect copyright.PENANAki6rKH2Qt1
41Please respect copyright.PENANAYIBuL1832n
"No one has seen Miguel after the shooting," answered the African American. "It must be that he was scared out of his wits and fled. He can be a coward sometimes."41Please respect copyright.PENANALsXLiSK96e
41Please respect copyright.PENANAUmTzjCMkHK
41Please respect copyright.PENANAaDIJiNN4gQ
"Or, he ran because he helped Rhénee and knew he would get caught," Richard said.41Please respect copyright.PENANAHmRfXh93EN
41Please respect copyright.PENANAYdxDWi5YXC
41Please respect copyright.PENANACYmohdp4MZ
"Now you’re just assuming," said Mitchell as she turned to look at him. ‘"Like Peter said, Miguel must have fled." She looked back at Peter. "You should’ve reported this earlier when we got back."41Please respect copyright.PENANABS4eBzaG5A
41Please respect copyright.PENANAf9tIwphVjh
41Please respect copyright.PENANAgEOTB5C8pi
"Sorry, ma’am," Peter apologized. "One thing I know for sure is that Miguel can’t betray us. He must have been scared of his wits and ran away."41Please respect copyright.PENANAzl5B1e9GMx
41Please respect copyright.PENANA6XzJ5XbAq2
41Please respect copyright.PENANAZLMPuyg3RH
"Well, we won’t know unless we hear from him," said Mitchell. "Bring him here. We would like to ask him some questions."41Please respect copyright.PENANA6EQdbrVGRw
41Please respect copyright.PENANA8JdWJEsaV4
41Please respect copyright.PENANAybx1xOP6s5
"Yes, ma’am," said Peter, and he started to make his way to the door.41Please respect copyright.PENANAA9Tq0U4JZO
41Please respect copyright.PENANAYD2r5Ahxmy
41Please respect copyright.PENANA1cXvq5RSGT
"Does this mean I’m in the clear now?" Mr. Cowell asked as he mourned in pain, hugging himself.41Please respect copyright.PENANA3yWk6zpYi4
41Please respect copyright.PENANA7KCeFn2tVQ
41Please respect copyright.PENANALyBiMPAJsz
"Let him go," Mitchell ordered. "We've got better things to deal with."41Please respect copyright.PENANArPr8r7A8Fc
41Please respect copyright.PENANAksvzvmUKgq
41Please respect copyright.PENANAVbLFmiTJfT
A mumbling came from those who took part in the beating as they started to disperse. Some made their way out of the warehouse, and some went to pack the weapons used last night. Two members went over to help Mr. Cowell to his feet and dragged him out of the warehouse to get him cleaned up.41Please respect copyright.PENANAmdF1Dt8JIw
41Please respect copyright.PENANALyxr0C7R3R
41Please respect copyright.PENANArF2CQhUUp1
Mitchell turned to look at Richard, who still looked like he was a bomb just waiting to burst. She gestured to the two men she came with to leave them alone, which they did.41Please respect copyright.PENANAKCixgOKOyT
41Please respect copyright.PENANAmTjWuCnek3
41Please respect copyright.PENANAyf3GUrzx6x
"You really need to work on that temper of yours," said Mitchell as she folded her arms.41Please respect copyright.PENANAaOxotDAgZ3
41Please respect copyright.PENANA5OrKxOeQw0
41Please respect copyright.PENANAdMQy3c3iR1
"What do you expect me to do?" Richard asked, his breathing sounding rushed. "The granddaughter of that dead old hag has just brought us one step backwards. We’re running out of time."41Please respect copyright.PENANA32sJs1D8Kf
41Please respect copyright.PENANATmW3S07hDM
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"Well, her actions yesterday showed that she has some backbone. Approaching her isn’t going to be easy. We need a better approach."41Please respect copyright.PENANAd7EK1r935K
41Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6mgpSE8pu
41Please respect copyright.PENANA3Lk5UTGxv0
"Have you come up with something already?’"41Please respect copyright.PENANAkkHYf64CMh
41Please respect copyright.PENANAoeHCI13LUV
41Please respect copyright.PENANAnXrZYyRn56
"Not yet. But I did say your plan at first wasn’t such a good idea, didn’t I?"41Please respect copyright.PENANA0J6JKtpYVn
41Please respect copyright.PENANACJKluXFCyG
41Please respect copyright.PENANADsUUop1ZTk
Richard took a smoke from his cigarette before saying, "Like you said, no one knew Rhénee was going to ambush us like she did. I wonder where she learned how to use a gun. I was never told she could."41Please respect copyright.PENANAhSzEbLESmV
41Please respect copyright.PENANA1Fwdiy8uUB
41Please respect copyright.PENANAvfSMwiEuKl
"Me either. But considering that she is Emelda’s granddaughter who happened to raise a son like Mr. Johnson, we shouldn’t be surprised."41Please respect copyright.PENANA8TRoemylbA
41Please respect copyright.PENANAAHyG1OsYtS
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"Could he have trained his children just because of Emelda’s past? They cut ties with her years ago."41Please respect copyright.PENANAfllsFvVsDX
41Please respect copyright.PENANAzvTxrXWhUY
41Please respect copyright.PENANAaNSa8C9Wz3
"Yes, he did because they are related. If it were up to me, I would train my kids so hard because anyone on any given day can come after them when I’m not looking. Even after cutting ties with his mother, Mr. Johnson was very wise to train them."41Please respect copyright.PENANA3u77yeHv1a
41Please respect copyright.PENANAJP9vkCmhYp
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"So, do you have any plans? You did say we had to change our approach."41Please respect copyright.PENANAed3uFE6Uu9
41Please respect copyright.PENANA1N2HaoK6Af
41Please respect copyright.PENANAc575gQu6MR
Mitchell smiled. "I’ll let you know by the end of the day. You go head home to take a shower."41Please respect copyright.PENANACVQgOeJ7fI
41Please respect copyright.PENANAY61ds8H51n
41Please respect copyright.PENANAoINerW1YXH
Before Mitchell could turn around, Richard held her arm to stop her. "And where are you going?" he asked.41Please respect copyright.PENANAS0lHfMPGB8
41Please respect copyright.PENANAJbipDRs7Pv
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"The others requested a report about the event last night. They won’t be impressed that your plan failed." Mitchell gave Richard a mocking smile.41Please respect copyright.PENANAzrnqzgcctD
41Please respect copyright.PENANA1AjOp1nXTI
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Richard sucked his teeth in irritation. "If you come up with something, you should inform me right away."41Please respect copyright.PENANAPoE7XiwiFs
41Please respect copyright.PENANAUPEMIRAtui
41Please respect copyright.PENANA2WZtpmfPGd
"Aye, aye, captain." Mitchell gave him a mocking hand salute as she started to make her way out of the warehouse.41Please respect copyright.PENANA21LM4GX1Mf
41Please respect copyright.PENANATiWPOtDEMT
41Please respect copyright.PENANAOpsEslgIuZ
Richard watched Mitchell walk out. He put the cigarette on his lips to smoke. He looked around the dimly lit warehouse and admitted that he should get out of there and head straight home to take a shower. He threw the cigarette to the ground, crushing it with his shoe. He inserted his hands into the pockets of his trousers and started to make his way out of the warehouse.41Please respect copyright.PENANAwuyv0nHBOd
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As he walked, the event that took place last night played in his head. He could still see Rhénee with her gun pointed at him, as clear as day. That made him smile a little. Mitchell was right. Rhénee has grown a backbone. Who would’ve thought that the girl he knew, from when she couldn’t as much as hurt a fly, would transform into a beast like that?41Please respect copyright.PENANAquR3fcumEH
41Please respect copyright.PENANA9xkSo7oJHY
41Please respect copyright.PENANA6Robo4IeEN
He shook his head. No matter, he told himself. Rhénee might have gotten away, but since he knows what he’s dealing with, she isn’t going to get away that easily.41Please respect copyright.PENANAPzstzoqeQG
41Please respect copyright.PENANAgo9otP8V5r
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***41Please respect copyright.PENANAi3AehgVnTn
41Please respect copyright.PENANASonEktr0NU
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"Thank you," Rhénee said to the waiter, who led her and Mr. Sinclair to their reserved table.41Please respect copyright.PENANA76CfkR1T1h
41Please respect copyright.PENANA1buMulg1Yq
41Please respect copyright.PENANA75ZdBHorop
Mr. Sinclair had taken Rhénee to an exquisite restaurant down town. It didn’t match the ones Rhénee knew of back home, but she didn’t expect to find one like this in Madison. The town might be small, but the place silently boasted of having such exquisite places as this restaurant.41Please respect copyright.PENANAUudeK489n9
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Rhénee sat down in the chair the waiter had pulled out for her, and she thanked him again. Mr. Sinclair sat opposite her. The table was only meant for two, and the place was a good place to chat as there weren’t many people.41Please respect copyright.PENANAMnRMLPcXDn
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"I see you chose a good place for us to chat," said Rhénee as she looked around.41Please respect copyright.PENANAgjbi4rtH3N
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"Not many people come here during lunch hours," said Mr. Sinclair, also looking around. Rhénee noticed from the way he looked around that he was obviously looking at whoever was in the restaurant.41Please respect copyright.PENANAY5ln7ZohR9
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"Are you ready to take your order?" the waiter asked as he came over to their table.41Please respect copyright.PENANAmbmneqssny
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"Ah, not yet," Rhénee replied with a smile. "Mr. Sinclair?"41Please respect copyright.PENANA6mXvNZZaAC
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"We’ll call once we’ve decided," said Mr. Sinclair. "But for now, I’ll have a glass of water."41Please respect copyright.PENANAkDqOTKi3Tk
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"Same here."41Please respect copyright.PENANAWjNHBfDsWc
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The waiter soon left them, and Rhénee picked up the menu beside her. Mr. Sinclair looked at her intently. He soon picked up the menu.41Please respect copyright.PENANAWnM69DlBj7
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"So what do you want to talk about?" Mr. Sinclair asked.41Please respect copyright.PENANAZoRvPQXSsk
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"Everything," answered Rhénee, closing the menu and placing it back on the table. She had already decided on what she was ordering.41Please respect copyright.PENANAUS0TVuRqCW
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"By everything, you mean...?" Mr. Sinclair still had his eyes on the menu.41Please respect copyright.PENANA7JNwZx58uN
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"I want to know why I’m being targeted and why it has everything to do with my grandmother."41Please respect copyright.PENANAX5i9VN2Z0x
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The waiter came back holding up a tray with two glasses of water, served them, and asked if they were ready to order. Rhénee said what she would be having, and so did Mr. Sinclair. The waiter left them again.41Please respect copyright.PENANABN2C4HSMnF
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"Since you insist on knowing about your grandmother," said Mr. Sinclair, "you will not like what you’re about to hear."41Please respect copyright.PENANAM3ArnrGHu8
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"I’m guessing it’s why my father decided to cut ties with her," she said as she looked at Mr. Sinclair. "I know my grandmother was no saint, like some people would like to portray, just so they wouldn’t hurt me. And you being her lawyer, I think you knew her better than anyone."41Please respect copyright.PENANAfa8k3YlzM3
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Mr. Sinclair smiled. "I’m impressed. You truly are her granddaughter."41Please respect copyright.PENANAsi6opi4uUA
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Rhénee folded her arms on the table. "Enough of the compliments," she said. "Tell me something that I don’t know."