?<strong>Chapter 1067:</strong>


    “I’ll consider it,” he said, his tone measured.


    Lacey expected no less. She’d grown ustomed to Jake’s cautious nature, knowing he’d conduct his own investigation. If he’d agreed too quickly, it would have been out of character—and, perhaps, even suspicious. But none of that mattered. She’d nted the seed. All she had to do now was wait. Soon enough, Jake would realize there was no viable option left but to rely on her mentor.


    From her seat, Kallie studied Lacey with narrowed eyes, catching what looked like a fleeting smirk ghosting across Lacey’s lips. It was so brief that she almost doubted she’d seen it at all.


    Frowning, Kallie’s instincts buzzed with unease. Something about this felt off, and the pieces refused to align. If this was some borate scheme of Lacey’s, what about the earlier fall? Sophie had shoved Lacey, leading to thetter’s fall with the shards. Was it all coincidence? Or was Lacey just that calcting? Lacey’s rmendation of her mentor seemed innocent enough. After all, it was a logical step to keep herself involved in Jake’s life. If she hadn’t suggested her mentor, Jake would have sought another doctor.


    With Jake’s response in hand, Lacey made her exit.


    As Lacey stepped out of sight, herposed mask fell away, reced by a smug grin. Elma’s health—her treatment, her condition—was now firmly in her grasp. She couldn’t cure Elma’s illness. What she could do, however, was create the illusion of progress, a feat no other doctor could manage convincingly. Jake’sck of immediate refusal meant her n was more than halfway realized. Now, it was only a matter of time.


    As Lacey walked away, Kallie’s threats from earlier shed in her mind, reigniting her simmering fury. Soon, all debts would be paid. Every slight, every threat.


    The next day, Kallie did something uncharacteristic—she sought out Jake. Trailing behind him, she hesitated, her thoughts tangled as she tried to find the right words.


    Jake, however, was in no mood to slow down, his brisk pace making it hard for her to keep up.


    Suddenly, Jake stopped short. Kallie, too distracted to notice, walked straight into him.


    “Ow!” she yelped, clutching her nose as the sting brought a grimace to her face.


    Jake turned, his expression shifting slightly at the sight of her difort. For a fleeting moment, concern flickered in his eyes, but it was quickly masked. Clearing his throat, he asked, “Why are you following me?”


    Kallie rubbed her nose, shooting him a half-annoyed, half-embarrassed re.


    “Obviously, I have something to tell you.”


    Jake raised an eyebrow, his toneced with faint amusement.


    “Then why follow me without saying anything?”


    Kallie crossed her arms, trying to regain herposure.


    “You looked like you were in a hurry. I figured I’d wait until you were done with whatever it is you’re rushing to. It’s not exactly urgent.” She figured the matter of Lacey’s mentor clearly wasn’t pressing—at least, not yet.


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