Time flew by, and before they knew it, three days had zipped past.


    Word of James''s illness reached Presley''s ears. After hanging up the call with his informant, he mulled it over for a moment before dialing Dane, asking him toe


    by.


    Not long after, Dane strolled into Presley''s office. "You wanted to see me, Presley?"


    Presley nodded, got up from his chair, and poured a ss of water for Dane before speaking, "I''ve heard that James''s chronic illness has red up again."


    Dane looked up at Presley, not entirely shocked by the news, but still a bit taken aback.


    "But to make sure this info is legit, I need you to do me a favor." Presley was a cautious guy; even when the news came from inside the Shepherd family, he needed to double-check.


    Dane quickly responded, "Do you want me to go to the Shepherd family and check it out myself?"


    Presley nced at him, then shook his head, "No, your dad would be the better choice. He can do it without raising eyebrows."


    Though Presley hadn''t directly dealt with James, he knew better than to


    underestimate him. Otherwise, the Shepherd family''s status in Riverdale wouldn''t be so untouchable.


    Hearing Presley''s words, Dane''s expression showed a touch of reluctance, and he said, "That favor... my dad might not be able to swing it."


    Presley frowned, "Why not?"


    "He''s wrapped up his business in Riverdale and booked a flight back today," Dane exined, ncing at his watch. "He should be boarding soon."


    Even though Dane wanted to curry favor with Presley, he was well aware of their circle''s rules and didn''t want to drag his dad into it.


    Upon hearing this, Presley''s expression cooled, "Oh, is that right?


    I was thinking about giving you


    leg


    up after this. Seems like you don''t need it."


    With that, he turned back to his desk, dismissing Dane with his silence.


    Dane stood there, clenching his hands, clearly torn and hesitant.


    After a moment, Dane took a deep breath and said, "I''ll call my dad now to see if he''s boarded the ne."


    Presley seemed to have expected this, looking up again, "I''ll be waiting for good news."


    With no other choice, Dane pulled out his phone and rang up Niki. Since he had booked the ticket, he knew whether his dad had boarded.


    A short whileter, Dane hung up and told Presley, "I''m heading to the airport to bring my dad back."


    Presley, having overheard the phone call, looked more satisfied, gave some detailed instructions, and then waved Dane off, "Go on, keep me updated on any developments with James."


    Dane nodded and quickly left to drive to the airport to fetch Niki.


    **


    When Niki was picked up, he looked puzzled and turned to Dane, "You rushed me to head back, and now you''re stopping me from leaving. You said there was something important-what''s up?"


    Dane, with a glint in his eye, grabbed his dad''s small suitcase, "Let''s chat in the car."


    Seeing this, Niki sighed and followed him back.