?Chapter 1144:


    Maia guided the car smoothly past the looming gates of Wront Prison.


    Unlike before, the two guards didn’t bother with a thorough inspection. The moment they spotted Shiloh’s private car approaching, they swung the gate wide.


    From the back seat, Shiloh’s voice broke the hum of the engine. “Ms. Watson, I’d advise you to keep going a bit farther. Someone could still be watching. If it’s not too much trouble, could you drop me off at Harmony za? I’ve got an appointment there.”


    Without hesitation, Maia answered, “Of course. That’s along my route anyway.”


    Nearly an hour slipped by before the car rolled to a stop at Harmony za.


    Shiloh met Maia’s gaze with a faint smile. “We’ll part ways here. If you ever want to see her again, just reach out to me first.”


    “I will,” Maia said, stepping away from the car.


    Her thoughts lingered on Shiloh. He struck her as careful, resourceful, and skilled at masking his true self. She believed that someone like him, as the chief warden, could give Zoey better protection.


    Meanwhile, Shiloh pressed himself into a dark corner and called Raegan again. Beads of sweat formed across his brow.


    A momentter, the line connected.


    “Maia’s left the car. I don’t know whates next, but I beg you — spare my daughter,” Shiloh whispered, his voice shaking.


    Raegan’s reply was smooth, almost casual. “Good work. Rest easy, your girl is unharmed.”


    Then the call ended.


    Her attention shifted to the fresh photographs glowing on her screen. A sly grin curved her lips. “Maia, no matter how sharp your instincts, you’ll never suspect Shiloh is already mine. At the charity g, I’ll see your name dragged through the mud.”


    With deliberate ease, she forwarded the images to Kiley.


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    A sharp voice cut from behind her; Austen’s low tone sliced through the tense quiet. “Must we wait that long?” he said, menace threaded through the words. “Why don’t I just end her life right now?”


    Raegan pivoted to face him, a chill in her smile. “You men rarely grasp how much longer a ruined name hurtspared to a single bullet.”


    Austen gave a casual shrug and smoothed his fake beard. Today, he was in disguise as a rugged man around forty years old, all rough edges and a heavy jaw.


    “Women always make things difficult,” he said, curling his lip.


    Remembering Rosanna’s simrly hard line, Austen continued, “Don’t worry. I won’t take her life. I’ll just make sure she learns a lesson.”


    An eyebrow lifted on Raegan’s face. Knowing that he would not be easily swayed, she said for the sake of the n, “Do not cross the line. I’m starting to regret telling you where Maia is.”


    Austen burst into augh as he pulled the door open and strode out. “That’s unlike you. Since when do you show hesitation?” He let out a chuckle, then the warmth drained from his expression as he tugged his cor up against the cold.


    Tyrant, Austen’s long-time enforcer,y dead at the threshold, his body a stark warning left for Austen to find.


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