?Chapter 812:


    Harlee’s sharp, steady gaze met Brice’s, a flicker of inner conflict evident.


    After a beat, she ced her coffee down and said, “Yes. It was.”


    Harlee knew even if she imed it was unrted, Brice wouldn’t believe her.


    At her words, Brice’s hand instinctively rose to his chest, his heart pounding.


    He had heard of someone named Hale troubling Harlee, but he initially thought it was just a case of a name coincidence and didn’t pay much attention to it. Recently, however, dealings with the Green Group revealed unsettling details, leading him to connect the dots.


    After further investigation, he realized that Hale was the same man from back then.


    Brice knew Harlee well enough to understand she wouldn’t have spared Hale unless there was no alternative. The sole reason she hadn’t acted harshly against Hale was because of him.


    Outwardly, Harlee appeared aloof and unapproachable, but deep down, she was the most dependable andpassionate member of their circle.


    Brice took a long sip from his mug, steadying his nerves.


    “The Shadow Moon Society just informed me that Hale’s in Baythorn.”


    “If I’m not mistaken, you’re his objective. This time.


    Don’t worry about me. Promise you won’t let yourself get hurt, alright?”


    Brice knew if thosepromising photos went public, his reputation would be ruined. Still, when it came to Harlee’s well-being, he would rather endure the internal anguish himself. Once, fear might have paralyzed him, but years had stripped away his innocence.


    He was no longer the naive boy who let cruel remarks push him to the edge.


    Harlee rested her chin in her palm, a faint smirk ying on her lips as she locked eyes with Brice.


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    “That won’t be necessary.” Her tone was calm but carried an undeniable weight ofmand.


    Brice knew she would protect him no matter what, so he could only nod.


    “Fine, but you have to promise me to stay safe.” If anything happened to her on his ount, he could never forgive himself.


    Just then, a woman at a nearby table abruptly rose and hurled two full cups of coffee at the man sitting across from her.


    Her carefully applied makeup was smeared with tears.


    Everyone in the café turned their attention to the scene.


    Harlee, eager to distract Brice, nced in the same direction. The man’s figure stirred a sense of familiarity.


    Harlee frowned, searching her memory but unable to identify him.


    Her gaze then shifted to the woman who had caused themotion.


    The woman had wless makeup and wore a bold pink dress adorned with floral patterns that highlighted her paleplexion.


    Furious, she stared down the man and shouted, “Liam, I am serious with you! I don’t care about the age difference, even though you’re old enough to be my father. I just can’t help but fall for you. I’ve stood against my family for you and endured the judgmental stares of strangers, so why can’t you make this onepromise for me? Were all those promises about doing anything for me just meaningless?”


    Liam? Harlee’s eyes narrowed, surprised.


    Indeed, the man seated opposite the woman was Liam, the one Brice had financially ruined.


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