Chapter 1280:

Sherwood took the slap without protest, a strange smile lingering at the corner of his lips—one that sent a chill down her spine.

“Blackmail you?” he repeated softly, rubbing his cheek as he stepped closer at an unhurried pace. “Why would I ever blackmail you?”

Without another word, he dropped suddenly to his knees.

Kari stood frozen, completely caught off guard.

Sherwood wrapped his arms around her legs and pressed his face against them, his expression stripped of all pretense.

“I just… I miss you,” he said hoarsely, his voice carrying an unsettling rawness. “All you think about now is Brad. Do you have any idea how much that hurts me?” He looked up at her, his eyes glistening with barely contained emotion.

“Kari, please—just give me one more chance. Let me make it worth your while, just this once. After that, I promise I’ll stay out of your life. And…” Sherwood lifted his phone and gave it a small shake. “I’ll erase everything right in front of you.”

Kari looked down at him, taking in the desperate, almost pitiful expression on his face, and despite herself, some of her anger began to soften.

𝘉е 𝗽ar𝘁 о𝖿 𝘰u𝘳 𝖼o𝗆m𝗎ոі𝘵𝗒 𝗈n 𝗀alnо𝗏е𝗹ѕ.𝘤𝗈𝗺

For years, he had lingered faithfully at her side, always eager and willing to give her whatever she asked without hesitation. Unlike Brad, who kept his distance, stayed unreadable, and constantly left her wondering what he was truly thinking.

Kari bit down on her lower lip, then abruptly grabbed a fistful of Sherwood’s hair and forced his head back until he had no choice but to meet her eyes.

“The last time?” she said quietly.

Sherwood gave a firm nod, his eyes burning. “The last time.”

Kari stood without speaking for several long seconds before suddenly shoving him down onto the floor with a sharp, decisive push.

“Fine. Let’s see if you can actually prove it.”

Two hours later, Kari stepped out, her legs slightly unsteady beneath her.

True to his word, Sherwood had deleted every video on his phone while she watched closely. She smoothed her dress, drew a slow breath, and carefully reassembled her composure before making her way back toward the ballroom.

She needed to find Brad quickly. After being gone this long, would he begin to suspect something?

Her eyes swept the entire venue. There was no sign of him anywhere.

“Have you seen Brad?” she asked one of the nearby waiters.

The waiter shook his head. “No, I haven’t.”

She moved from guest to guest, but not a single person had seen him. A heavy feeling settled in her chest. She checked Brad’s room, the deck, and even the bar—still nothing.

A cold shiver ran down her spine. Her instinct was to look for Rylie—but then she realized Rylie was gone as well.

Panic flared in her chest. Had Rylie taken Brad somewhere?

“Search!” she ordered immediately, signaling the bodyguards. “I want everyone looking for Brad. Turn this ship inside out if that’s what it takes.”

Within moments, bright lights flooded the vessel. Bodyguards fanned out across every level while curious guests emerged from their rooms to see what the commotion was about.

.

.

.