?Chapter 1018:


    A bounty organization was a blight on society, especially when the price was a person’s life. The police were determined to stamp out this menace.


    Sean and Kason imed a bench in the station’s rest area, leaving one seat between them, a physical representation of the gulf between their worlds. Sean’s gaze fell to the floor. “Any leads on who wants Norah dead?”


    “Nora was bedridden for months. When she woke, her memory was gone. I focused on protecting her, not chasing ghosts from her past,” Kason sighed heavily. “My oversight led to this.”


    He shook his head, guilt creeping into his voice.


    “Since Norah’s being hunted like this, it’s either for money or to silence her. You were close to Norah before. Do you know her true identity?” Sean inquired. The unique nickname “Nora” was Kason’s exclusive way of referring to Norah.


    Kason fidgeted, his reluctance to discuss the matter evident.


    “This doesn’t concern you.”


    Despite their past rtionship, Nora had lost her memory and be a different person. Kason wouldn’t divulge information that Nora herself hadn’t shared, not even to her boyfriend—or perhaps ex-boyfriend.


    In Kason’s mind, Sean already held that title, while Nora’s current romantic status remained uncertain.


    “This is a secret between Nora and me.”


    Sean had failed to uncover Norah’s past. What little he had found seemed intentionally left behind. The deeper, more hidden aspects of her history werepletely untraceable.


    Even as ck, the second-ranked hacker, Sean’s efforts over the past year had yielded nothing.


    “You know how much I care about Norah, more than anyone, Kason Hayes.”


    Sean’s use of Kason’s full name underscored his seriousness. “I know you and Norah had contact before. I don’t mind your rtionship, but now, Norah’s in trouble. I hope you can truthfully tell me what you know. It’s crucial for Norah.”


    A heavy silence fell between them.


    Kason wrestled with his thoughts. Norah’s decision to keep her past from Sean suggested she still harbored reservations.


    Turning his head, Kason met Sean’s earnest gaze.


    “Kason, I swear, I won’t breathe a word of this to Norah.”


    After a prolonged internal struggle, Kason finally relented. “Nora was an orphan as a child. She drifted from ce to ce in a small vige…”


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