?Chapter 1397:


    Karson had been away on a business trip overseas and was stuck in back-to-back meetings, but Lance knew this was something he had to report.


    When the call connected, Karson’s voice was loud and upbeat.


    Owing to the time difference, it was still afternoon over there.


    “Lance? What’s up? Did something happen with Ste?”


    Lance pressed his lips together before answering, his tone dropping. “Grandpa… Nina’s back.”


    The line wentpletely quiet. Lance waited, listening to the faint background noise of Karson’s end.


    “Why?” Karson finally asked. “Why did shee back? What, she thinks she hasn’t hurt Ste enough already? She doesn’t deserve to set foot in that house again.”


    Before Ste had returned, Karson used to dote on Nina. She was the only girl in the family back then—his pride and joy.


    But that version of Nina was long gone.


    Now, all Karson felt when her name came up was bitter disappointment.


    “She said she knows she was wrong,” Lance said quietly. “She was out in the rain, crying, begging for a second chance. So… I let her in.”


    Karson sighed on the other end of the call, clearly aware of Lance’s weakness when it came to family. “Well, since she’s back, let her stay—on the condition she behaves herself and stops getting caught up in all that mess. And tell her to go see her parents. They’ve been worried sick.”


    Lance thought of Daniel and Norene and gave a small nod.


    He didn’t particrly like either of them, but they were family. No point in stirring up more tension, especially now. And Nina was still their daughter, whether anyone liked it or not.


    “Alright. Got it, Grandpa. How’s everything going over there?”


    Find more content at ???????σ????????.cоm


    Ever since Ste’s situation blew up, none of the Carters could leave Choria easily. When the overseaspany meeting came up, Lance had offered to attend in Karson’s ce—he’d been worried about the travel being too much for his grandfather at his age.


    But Karson had insisted. Said he’d feel more at ease knowing Lance was the one watching over Ste.


    “Things are almost wrapped up on my end,” Karson replied. “If all goes well, I should be back in a couple of days. How’s Ste holding up?”


    At that, a flicker of helplessness crossed Lance’s face.


    William was keeping her close, practically under lock and key. And aside from making sure she was physically safe, Lance couldn’t do much else.


    “Don’t worry, Grandpa. I’ll find a way to get her out of William’s hands soon.”


    Karson didn’t respond right away. Instead, his voice dropped a notch. “Be careful with Marc. That man’s no good. Even if Ste’s lost her memory and still feels something for him… don’t trust him too easily.”


    Lance didn’t need the reminder. He already knew what kind of man Marc was.


    The man was selfish to the core. He never really loved Ste. Whether she remembered the past or not, Lance wasn’t about to let her get dragged back into that toxic mess.


    .


    .


    .