?Chapter 1007:


    And if that happened, she could never face Elvira again.


    Rnd’s brows furrowed slightly. His tone remained steady, but his words were firm, like stone. “I’m not rushing anywhere. My business here still isn’t finished.”


    Pattie took a step closer, narrowing her gaze as she observed the pair chatting. Out of the blue, she asked, “What are you talking about? I’m a bit confused by your conversation.”


    To her, Maia’s words seemed like a quick attempt to push Rnd out of the picture. Yet, Pattie had no intention of seeing Rnd leave Wront so suddenly.


    She shifted her attention from Maia to Rnd, and a thought crossed her mind. Could Maia already know that Rnd had been investigating some risky case? Was that the reason behind Maia’s words?


    As the idea clicked into ce, Pattie felt as though everything made sense. She reached out and gave Rnd’s shoulder a friendly tap.


    “Are you in some kind of trouble?” she asked, her concern genuine. “We’re friends, aren’t we? Why didn’t you say anything if you were in a bind? Do you need my help?”


    Rnd blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the sudden change in her tone.


    Before he could answer, Pattie waved his words away with a firm gesture. “Rnd, that’s what friends are for. If you insist on being formal, I’ll be annoyed.”


    Rnd was momentarily speechless. He was a bit taken aback by Pattie’s blunt and open manner, though he couldn’t say he minded it.


    There was warmth in her voice, a real concern for his well-being, and that made it hard for him to brush her off. He hesitated, his eyes dropping to the floor, feeling an unexpected reluctance to disappoint her.<fn0904> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on find(?)ovel</fn0904>


    That feeling was new to him, yet, to his surprise, he had no desire to fight it. “Alright.” Rnd spoke quietly, but with a certain weight in his voice. “If I need help, I’ll let you know.”


    “That’s settled then.” Pattie’s grin carried a hint of victory.


    None of them could have guessed that, deep down, she was picturing Rnd unable to bring himself to leave her side.


    Maia, watching the exchange, realized she had failed to talk him into leaving Wront.


    She gave a small shake of her head, her eyes clouded with quiet resignation.


    Since she couldn’t articte Zoey’s motives directly, Maia had to think of another angle—something that would keep Rnd alert and ready for trouble.


    “If you’re not leaving, then you must be careful,” Maia warned.


    She continued, noticing the puzzled expressions on Pattie and Rnd’s faces. “Not long ago, awyer from Zenith Legal ended up in a car crash on his way to court. I’m afraid the Coopers and the Wards could pull the same stunt… especially after your speech today put you right under their noses.”


    Pattie froze for a moment, her features tightening as the realization sank in. She hadn’t ounted for that before. “You’re right. You think of everything, Maia. From this point on, I’ll take charge of Rnd’s safety.”


    Rnd turned his head toward her, his lips pressed together in faint disbelief. “You? Protect me?”


    “Of course.” Pattie’s brow arched with confidence. “I’m a top-tier client at Bluedon Safeguards. I can have them send a team to guard me.”


    She let a short pause hang in the air before smiling with quiet resolve. “Which means, for your own safety, I’ll be glued to your side to make sure nothing happens to you.”


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