Chapter 1147:

Once Melany was ready, Rylie made her way to Brad’s room. Despite his relentless efforts over the past few days, his rehabilitation had yielded little improvement.

When Rylie opened the door, she found Brad seated on the floor, his shirt soaked with sweat. Their eyes met briefly before he instinctively looked away, draping a towel over his leg — a leg that had technically healed but still bore unsettling signs of atrophy.

“You’re back,” he murmured, forcing a weak smile as he lowered himself into a chair. “How’s everything out there?”

A twinge of worry tightened in Rylie’s chest as she stepped closer and gently dabbed the sweat from his temples with a clean towel. “Everything’s under control. The professor has taken over the lab, so he’ll manage what remains. Once I return and finish my work, I can give my full attention to your surgery and recovery.”

𝗡е𝗐 𝘸𝗲е𝗸𝗅𝘆 с𝗁𝖺р𝘵e𝗋𝘀 𝗈ո 𝗀𝖺𝗅𝘯𝗈𝗏e𝘭𝘴.𝘤𝘰𝗆

“Thank you,” he whispered, his voice subdued, his eyes clouded with fatigue.

Since the accident, Brad had done his best to stay emotionally balanced and hold on to hope. Yet the grueling rehabilitation brought almost no progress. His injured leg had slowly wasted away, and the stark contrast to his once-powerful physique left him unable to hide the creeping despair that gnawed at him.

Rylie leaned down and gently rested his head against her chest, holding him close in silent comfort. They stayed like that for several long moments, until Brad slowly gathered himself and released her hand.

“I heard there’s a banquet tonight,” he said quietly. “You should go — don’t be late. I’ll keep up with my exercises a bit longer, just to be in the best possible condition for your surgery.”

Rylie leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, her eyes holding his. “You know I love you, don’t you?”

Brad’s face brightened, a quiet pride warming his voice. “It’s very clear,” he said.

Lochlan had discreetly arranged a car for Rylie. He glanced at the girl beside her with mild surprise. “I thought you’d be going with Deandre. You’re taking her along as well?”

Rylie replied evenly, “I trust your judgment. You know exactly why I’m doing this.”

Lochlan studied her with a hint of admiration. “Very well. Go ahead — time isn’t on our side.”

Rylie and Melany stepped out of the Costa Syndicate’s car, their faces concealed by elegant masks, and made their way toward the imposing ancient castle ahead.

Within the lavish, secretive world unfolding around them, Melany trailed behind Rylie, stiff and cautious. Her eyes betrayed her anxiety, and she clutched her purse so tightly that her knuckles turned white beneath her gloves.

Rylie slid an arm around her shoulders, offering quiet reassurance. “Calm down. If you stay this tense, people will notice immediately that you don’t belong here.”

Rylie and Melany quickly spotted Deandre, standing surrounded by the Mista Dunkadelic’s godfather, a few key influential figures, and Karina.

.

.

.