Chapter 69 You’ll Regret This
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Chapter 69 You’ll Regret This
Tess’s eyes froze on the figure beside Finn.
<i>Charles</i>?
<i>What </i><i>is </i>he <i>doing </i>with Finn?
Her heart seized up in rm.
<i>Is </i>Finn up <i>to </i>something <i>again</i>?
That was her first instinct.
Holding her breath, Tess pressed herself further into the shadows.
As her gazended on Charles’s face, her brows furrowed even deeper.
Charles couldn’t drink–he had a severe alcohol allergy.
His face was already flushed red; why is <i>he </i><i>still </i><i>downing </i><i>drink </i>after <i>drink</i>?
Panic rose in her chest, and her eyes drifted toward Finn.
His jaw was tight, eyes sharp with cold disdain.
He didn’t even look away–his stare was fixed icily on Charles.
Tess’s heart sank.
She instinctively pulled La closer to her chest.
Hadn’t she apologized? Hadn’t she done everything he asked?
Why is <i>he </i><i>still </i><i>going </i><i>after </i><i>Charles</i><i>? </i>
A flicker of rage ignited in her chest.
La seemed to sense her mother’s distress. She reached out her tiny hands, waving in the air before hugging Tess tightly around the neck.
That small gesture pulled Tess back to the present.
She wasn’t here to start trouble–just to retrieve some case files. Best not to make a scene.
Swallowing down her anger and confusion, Tess scanned the restaurant but didn’t see any familiar faces.
Her frown deepened. <i>Is </i>this <i>all </i><i>some </i><i>kind </i><i>of </i><i>prank</i>?
At that moment, a clumsy waiter carrying a tray brushed past her, identally bumping her shoulder.
A wine bottle tipped and sshed its contents across her face. Tess blinked in surprise, swiping the liquid from her lips.
Some liquor touched her lips; before she could wipe it away, it had already seeped in–leaving behind an oddly sweet taste.
Her first thought was for La–thankfully, the child hadn’t gotten any of it on her. Tess exhaled in relief.
“So sorry, ma’am! the waiter apologized profusely.
Since La was unharmed, Tess didn’t dwell on it. She quickly waved him away, trying to keep a low profile–especially with Finn so close by.
Finn’s ear twitched slightly, but he didn’t react otherwise.
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Chapter (69 You’ll Regret This
Tess daredia quick nce and breathed in relief. <i>Good</i><i>–</i><i>he </i><i>hasn’t </i><i>noticed</i>.
She tugged at litercor, suddenly feeling a little too tight.
But gradually even her throat began to feel dry and scratchy.
A warning beillenium loudly in her mind. She looked around, searching for the waiter–but he had vanished.
Her breath caught.
That waiter…something was wrong with him.
Her vision started to blir Highting to stay upright, she stumbled toward an empty seat and slumped down.
Meanwhile, Finn’s expressionliad grown darker.
“You came for her?” le rall.
His voice cut like a de. “Chartless, iffiit weren’t for her, would you even bother sitting across from me to negotiate?” Charles gritted his teeth his visionswimming.
“I owe her,” he said hoarsely. “That’s why Ilhad toe.”
He was clearly tipsy–his words slightlyslurred–but his conviction was unmistakable.
Finn’s eyes narrowed, an inexplicablefrustrationwing at his chest.
“Speak. What is it?” he snapped, turning his face awayin disgust.
“Here. Take this.”
Charles handed over a worn, crumpled domument.
Finn frowned, already impatient.
But before he could fire back a snide remark Chiantessstundlupssuddenly and said, “You’ll regret this.”
And with that, he staggered off.
Zane watched nervously, ready to jump in if Charles tripped over his feet
Charles’s cryptic parting words only deepened Finn’s irritation.
Regret?
What is there to regret<i>? </i>
Still his gaze dropped to the document. It looked old.
Curiosity overcame him. He flipped to the first page–and then his expressimahanged. His eyes grew sharp.
His fingers trembled slightly.
He flipped quickly to thest page–only to find it missing.
What?
For a moment, he was speechless, as if something had lodged in his throat Achilreptowanis <b>siltin </b>
“Mr. Lock?” Zane asked, noticing the storm brewing behind Finn’s eyes.
His voice jolted Finn back to the present, but his heart was still pounding wildly,
He finally shoved the document into Zane’s hands. “Reep this sain”
Chapter 69 You’ll Regret This
The tight line of his jaw made Zane instantly straighten, nodding with a seriousness that matched his boss.
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Meanwhile, Charles didn’t leave. He paused at the hotel entrance, ncing back at Finn’s shifting expression onest time- then turned and disappeared into the night.
He had warned him. He would regret it.
Charles exhaled, the heat in his chest making it hard to breathe.
The streetlights stretched his swaying figure into a long, lonely shadow on the pavement.
By the time Charles had vanished from sight, Zane had already gone to carry out his orders. He returned shortly after, leading Finn a few steps forward–only to find Tess.
She was slumped over a table, barely conscious. Her arms, however, were still locked tightly around La, protecting her with everyst ounce of strength.