Chapter 487:
What she had imagined back at the concert stood before her now, far more vivid. She held her cup but didn’t drink. Her lashes lowered, and something flickered in her expression. “You’re above all of them.” Brad could tell she wasn’t just saying it to be kind.
His lips curved into a faint smile. The tightness in his shoulders eased. “Then I guess this trip wasn’t a waste.”
Rylie tilted her head. “Did you come because you knew I’d be at that concert?”
He shrugged. “Just happened to be nearby.”
She didn’t buy it. Instead of pressing, she offered something else. “Even if you hadn’t stepped in with the café, I would’ve been fine.”
“I know. I just wanted you to know you’re not alone,” he said, steady and sure.
They held each other’s gaze as the quiet returned.
A moment later, Rylie rose from her seat. “It’s getting late. Let me buy you dinner.”
Brad and Rylie stepped out of the café as the waiter at the door gave a respectful nod to her, acknowledging the young woman now in charge.
“I walked here,” said Brad. “My car’s parked near the Nova Sports Pavilion.”
“Then let’s walk a bit,” she replied. Rylie glanced toward the man-made lake. “It’s cool for now, but the chill will set in soon.”
As they followed the cobblestone path, Brad spoke again. “That woman we saw earlier works for Starwave Entertainment. Her company’s been trying to strike a deal with our partners.”
Rylie turned to him. “Don’t punish the whole company over this. It’s obvious Elaine has a personal grudge against me.”
Brad frowned. “And why would she come after you?”
A willow leaf floated down and caught in Rylie’s hair. Brad reached over, his fingers brushing her cheek as he gently pulled it away. “Maybe she’s bitter you saved Vincent. Or does she want you to be the scapegoat?”
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Rylie stopped walking. “What’s your guess?”
Brad smiled slightly. “You don’t have ties to any of those idols. Helping Vincent was purely out of kindness. Even if she’s worried your actions could stir up trouble, she’d never show it outright. But the fact she ran to the police says she’s expecting something to happen to him.”
Rylie grew quiet. Watching how seriously she took this, Brad leaned in. “You okay? You’re not actually worried about him, are you?”
“He’s close to my brother. I can’t just ignore it.”
She pulled out her phone and called the hospital’s director. “Did you send an ambulance to the Nova Sports Pavilion?”
Thanks to Rylie’s backing, Marsha carried out her duties as director of HaloFlow Hospital.
She checked quickly and answered, “Yes. One patient with throat burns asked to stay anonymous. We’re sending someone now.”
If HaloFlow was on it, Vincent should’ve been in good hands.
Still, Rylie couldn’t shake the unease. “Make sure the retired military surgeons handle the operation. It’s too risky for anyone else. We can’t afford a mistake.”
“Understood,” said Marsha. “I’ll take care of it right away.”
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