Chapter 18 Old Feelings
Gavin’s alrunkenness had not yet completely failed. He slumped on the sofa, mumbling incoherently. Standing by the window, Christopher held a glass of red wine, his gaze piercing through the night into the distance. His face was emotionless, bon hus fingers clenched slightly around the glass, his knuckles turning white.
“Who do you really like?” Gavin’s voice rang out again, this time tinged with clarity. He sat up straight, his eyes fixed on Christopher, as if trying to reail the answer from his face,
Christopher turned back, the corners of his lips curving into a faint smile. “You’re drunk.”
“Don’t play games with mel Gavin suddenly stood up, his steps unsteady, but he stubbornly supported himself on the table. It’s Adeline, isn’t it?”
The air fisare instantly. Christopher didn’t answer. He merely set his wine glass down lightly. His silence only fueled Gavin’s anger. Striding forward, Gavin grabbed Christopher by the collar. “Answer me!”
“Let go” Christopher’s voice was low, yet it carried an undeniable authority.
Gavin hesitated for a moment but quickly recovered. He released his grip but did not step back. Instead, he sneered. “So it is her. I knew it. You never truly loved Michelle”
“You concern yourself too much” Christopher straightened his collar, his tone as calm as if discussing the weather.
“Too much?” Gavin let out a bitter laugh. “Michelle is my sister. Of course, I care! And you? You knew how much she cared for you yet you still.”
“Enough” Christopher cut him off abruptly, his voice as cold as ice. “You know exactly what kind of person your sister is.”
Those words stabbed into Gavin’s heart like a slagger. He stared at Christopher in disbelief. “What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said.” Christopher turned and walked toward the door, offering no further explanation.
Gavin was left alone in the room. He collapsed back onto the sofa, his eyes empty. Outside, fireworks exploded in brilliant colors, ushering in the new year. But his world had already faded into gray.
Meanwhile, in a temporary residence in Vale City, Adeline sat on the edge of the bed, carefully applying ointment in front of a mirror. The rash had faded slightly, but her skin still bore an unnatural redness. She glanced at her phone screen, which displayed a text from Leroy
“8 PM, same place
She hesitated for a moment before placing the phone back on the table. Since leaving the Layton residence, I had been trying to sever ties with my past. Hut some things were simply inescapable–like Leroy. The police captain had been the only person I trusted before my imprisonment and the only one who had fought for me over the past three years.
At right o’clock sharp, she arrived at their meeting spot–a discreet little restaurant with no signage or elaborate decor but known for its quiet ambiance. Leroy was already there, dressed in casual clothes, which softened his usual air of authority.
“You’re here. He nodded at her and slid a menu across the table. “What do you want to eat?”
Adeline shook her head. “No need. Let’s get straight to the point.”
Leroy sighed and withdrew the menu. “Still the same. You never take care of yourself.”
She didn’t respond, simply watching him silently. Under her gaze, Leroy looked slightly uncomfortable. Clearing his throat, he pulled out a few photos from his bag and handed them to her. “This is what I’ve found recently. See if it’s useful.
this red?” Her owe trembled. She couldn’t believe that the girl who always played the innocent victim was mixed up in
solitely” Leroy noblesd. “But there’s still no solid evidence to bring them to justice. That’s why I came to you”
“Me Adeline frowned “What do you want me to do
Work with me on this investigation” Leroy met her gare. “You’re the only one who can get close to Michelle and gather more information from the inside!
eline was silent for a long time before shaking her head. “No. I can’t get involved again.
Tim sorry I just can’t” She stood up pushing the photos back toward him. “Thank you for your concern, but this is a matter for the police
With that, she turned and walked out of the restaurant without looking back.
night. Adeline walked alone on the street. The biting cold seeped into her bones, but the chill in her heart was even ese. The images from those photos kept flashing through her mind, refusing to let her rest. But she knew that if she got involved she would once again be throwing herself into danger. And after spending three years behind bars, she no longer had the courage for that
Just then a black car pulled up beside her. The window rolled down, and a familiar voice spoke. “Walking alone this late! Aren’t you afraid of danger!”
hed, turning to see Christopher sitting inside. He leaned back in his sea
