Chapter 152 Hidden Shadows
Chapter 152 Hidden Shadows
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Ronald could see Franklin wasn’t in the best shape. He also knew Tracy didn’t want her grandfather to worry, so he gave a brief version of how they met, leaving out many details.
But Franklin had lived long enough to see through most people. He easily caught the things Ronald left unsaid but chose not to call him out.
Instead, he smiled faintly and struck up a conversation.
First from Tracy, then to everyday life, philosophy, and finally, business.
No matter what the subject was, Ronald handled it with ease, even throwing in a few sharp insights of his
own.
This kind of knowledge and poise wasn’t something Franklin had seen in Andrew, the pride of the Jackmans.
Franklin knew right away that this young man, who looked barely older than a college student, was far moreplicated than he appeared.
If they had met at a business asion, Franklin would have admired him. But here, in a hospital, as Tracy’s friend, things were different.
Franklin could sense a shadow deep in Ronald’s eyes–something dark and dangerous, like a beast lurking in the night, waiting for the right moment to tear someone apart.
He hid it well, wrapped in his attractive face and a disarming smile, so most people never noticed.
But Franklin noticed.
He thought Tracy was way too genuine and too,trusting. Someone like Ronald doesn’t belong in her world.
On the outside, Franklin still wore a smile, but his cloudy, time–worn eyes held a calm depth that gave nothing away.
Ronald, as if blind to it all, kept chatting happily, his grin steady, his smile never faltering.
The more Franklin watched, the more he admired how steady this young man was under pressure.
<b>But </b>admiration was as far as it went.
After a while, Franklin grew worn out and spoke directly. “Tell me the truth. Has something happened to Tracy?”
He might have been old, but he wasn’t senile.
Yesterday had been Tracy’s birthday. With her personality, she would have stopped by after celebrating.
But she hadn’t, and today she had sent a friend in her ce. Something was clearly wrong.
Ronald had prepared excuses ahead of time, confident he could handle Franklin.
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Chapter 152 Hidden Shadows
But once he was face–to–face with him, Ronald realized this man wasn’t easy to fool.
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After a moment’s pause, Ronald nodded. “She did run into some trouble, but CeeCee can handle it.”
Franklin’s face stayed calm, but his body tensed. “What kind of trouble? Is she hurt?”
Straight–faced, Ronald shook his head slightly. “It’s nothing serious. She just didn’t want you to worry, so she asked me to keep it from you. But you’re not easy to fool–I can see that. It’s better to be honest than leave you guessing. But believe me–CeeCee can take care of this herself. You should trust her.”
When Ronald insulted people, his words could cut deep. But when he spoke kindly, his voice carried a warmth that felt convincing.
And with those boyish dimples, he looked almost too sweet and sincere.
Franklin knew Tracy’s character well. No matter how big the problem, she’d always hide it to spare him
worry.
But Franklin didn’t know Ronald. He couldn’t judge how much of his words were trustworthy.
Sensing Franklin’s doubt, Ronald added calmly, “You’ve assigned plenty of people to look after CeeCee. Do you think anything serious could happen without you finding out?”
Franklin had indeed assigned half his men to protect Tracy while she investigated Walter’s ident. He’d given her those resources to both support and shield her.
Ronald knew about it too. Yesterday, instead ofing to the hospital, he’d been making sure those men stayed quiet and didn’t report anything that would rm Franklin.
Franklin was not aware of the arrangements, but he was surprised. “How do you know I assigned people to watch over Tracy?”
Not even the Jackmans knew.
Ronald poured him a ss of water with a cheerful smile and passed it to him. “CeeCee never meant to keep that from me. Of course I knew.”
If Tracy didn’t want him to know something, he would never go digging.
When he said he was on her side, it didn’t mean prying into her secrets.
He understood all too well how painful it was to be forced to live without privacy.
Franklin caught on.
The more he spoke with this young man, the more he admired him.
But that admiration came with one condition–that thisplicated young man’s closeness to his granddaughter wasn’t driven by/any hidden or harmful intent.
Franklin studied him for a moment, then calmly sipped his water and continued their talk.
After a while, Ronald rose to leave.
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Chapter 152 Hidden Shadows
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Franklin didn’t keep him. Instead, he asked him toe back sometime to keep himpany, openly showing his admiration and fondness.
Yet in his heart, Franklin knew–when it came to Tracy, admiration and fondness toward Ronald weren’t enou