?Chapter 1355:


    Afara leaned back in his chair, his smile deepening. He tapped his fingers against the table in a slow, deliberate rhythm, as if weighing the weight behind her words.


    Still, he hesitated.


    Bringing her to meet his superior posed too many risks.


    One slip, and everything he’d worked for could copse.


    Sadie noticed the flicker of doubt.


    She took a step forward and met his gaze head-on.


    “You can think it over,” she said quietly. Her voice was soft, but it pressed in like a warning.


    “But Emerson’s people probably already know I’m gone. It won’t be long before theye looking. How long do you think you can hide from them?”


    Afara’s fingers stopped mid-tap.


    She was right—and they both knew it.


    She was gambling on his fear. On the fact that he wouldn’t dare expose himself to Emerson’s wrath. That he couldn’t risk the failure of this operation.


    And she was correct.


    Taking her was like holding a grenade with the pin already pulled; she might bring the whole ce down with her. To break the stalemate, he had to take a risk.


    “Alright,” Afara said atst. He gave in.


    But then, the warehouse doors mmed open with a jarring ng. A guard burst in, breathless and wide-eyed. “Mr. Afara! Noah’s men are here!”


    Sadie’s heart seized.


    She didn’t even think—her body moved first. She stepped in front of the entrance, arms spread as if shielding someone. “Don’t hurt him!” Her voice shook as it left her mouth.


    Afara raised an eyebrow at her stance. Then he let out a dry chuckle.


    “Rx.”


    He stood slowly, brushing imaginary dust from the cuffs of his brightly patterned shirt.


    More content now at g?lησv???s


    “I don’t intend to make an enemy of Mr. Wall.”


    Afara gave a small nod toward the men by the door. “Since he came in person, let him through.”


    Minutester, Noah stepped inside.


    His presence was unmistakable—cold andmanding—but the moment he saw Sadie safe, something shifted in his eyes. The edge in his stare softened, just a little. His gaze moved past her, fixing on the man with a smirk. He recognized Afara immediately. He would spot Afara anywhere.


    Before anything could explode, Sadie darted forward. She grabbed Noah’s arm, tugging him aside.


    Her hand was mmy; her grip trembled with urgency.


    She lowered her voice to a whisper only he could hear. “Afara might be working for the Zupren government.”


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