Chapter 789:
The man stammered, fear twisting his words. “Miss Owen, what do you want us to do? Please don’t kill us!”
Her voice stayed even. “Mylo is Clive’s only son. Clive once stood beside Brad as a trusted ally. Out of respect for him, I am giving his boy a chance to begin again.”
Rylie walked out of the warehouse with no rush in her steps. A black SUV barreled up the mountain path and screeched to a halt in front of her.
Brad climbed out in one swift motion. His stride was steady and sure as he reached her. His hands gripped her shoulders, his face drawn tight. “You didn’t show up when you should have. I checked the bar’s cameras and saw your car go the wrong way. I had a bad feeling, so I came.”
Behind them, the warehouse door groaned open. A line of broken men staggered out, leaning on each other, faces swollen, bodies bruised.
Brad’s gaze moved over the scene before landing on her, calm and composed as ever.
The hard set of his jaw eased, and the faintest smile touched his eyes.
“Looks like I worried for nothing,” he said. He let go of her shoulders and took her hand with a gentleness that checked for harm. His fingers brushed across the back of it. “Next time, let me know when something like this comes up. It’s not that I doubt you. I just don’t want you pushing yourself too far.”
His tone was even, but each word carried a quiet strength, steady and protective.
Aware that Brad’s bodyguards were stationed nearby, Rylie remarked, “I’ve had a little to drink tonight. I’ll go with you.”
Sliding into the back seat behind Brad, she didn’t blink at the sight of Brock waiting up front. He glanced over his shoulder with a goofy grin. “Good evening, Dr. Owen.”
Even after she had revealed to Brad what she had hoped would stay hidden, Brock could not conceal his sheepish, guilty smile. Without missing a beat, Rylie tossed a mint candy his way. “Keep your eyes on the road, Brock.”
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His shoulders relaxed, and a genuine smile took over as he realized that she wasn’t angry. The car rolled away from the mountain estate.
Outside, Brad’s gaze lingered on the suited men posted nearby. Leaning close, he murmured, “Mylo set all this in motion. Are you really just going to let him get away with it?”
Rylie didn’t flinch. “He’s only stirring up trouble because Paola asked him to. That attack wasn’t even his idea—Paola paid extra to make it happen.”
At the mention of the ambush, Brad’s eyes grew cold, and he gripped her hand a little tighter, a quiet fury brewing in his posture. “Rylie, you can’t afford to go easy on people like them.”
Meeting his eyes, she answered, “I understand. But I know you respect Clive, and he’s not young anymore. Mylo is his only child. For everyone’s sake, I’d rather guide Mylo back than destroy him.”
Brad nodded, accepting her logic. “Handle it your way. I’ll stand by you.”
A small, knowing smile appeared on Rylie’s lips. “Then let’s see how this plays out.”
Soon, the car pulled to a stop outside a discreet mental health clinic. Through the windows, Rylie spotted Lucilla, whose expression was distant and confused. The moment Lucilla’s gaze landed on Rylie, a spark of recognition broke through the haze.
“Rylie!”
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