?Chapter 987:


    From the very beginning, Ellis had sensed that something wasn’t right with Charlette. When he saw her slip off by herself, he cast a nce at his sister standing with Wesley and then turned back to Charlette’s retreating figure, unease growing in his eyes. After a brief hesitation, he decided to trail after Charlette.


    Charlette kept her pace brisk, fingers twitching nervously at her sides, until she ducked into a tavern where the doors were open even in daylight.


    She wasted no time ordering the strongest liquor on hand and tossed it back in one swift gulp, the burn searing all the way down.


    Not missing a beat, she ced the empty ss on the counter, requested another, and drank it as if it were nothing but water, her face giving nothing away.


    Ellis drew closer, his brow furrowed. “You can’t handle strong liquor like that,” he said, his voice steady and cool.


    A sharp, cold stare greeted him when Charlette looked his way—gone was any trace of warmth from before. Pretending he didn’t exist, she finished off the fresh pour in a single motion.


    Ellis’s eyes flickered behind his sses. He wasn’t sure why he followed Charlette—normally, he made a point of minding his own business. Still, seeing her put away ss after ss, he pressed his lips together, a shadow darkening his features. By the time she’d drained half the bottle, he broke the silence again. “That’s enough for tonight.”


    A hollowugh burst from Charlette, her eyes never matching the curve of her lips. Witnessing that empty smile only deepened the shadows in Ellis’s gaze. Nothing about her seemed familiar anymore.


    A sly tilt touched her mouth. “You brushed me off when I wanted your attention. Now that I ignored you, you shifted and even showed concern? Ellis, do you secretly enjoy rejection?”


    Ellis’sposure didn’t falter, though his frown deepened. Ever since that man had shown up, something had shifted in Charlette—he could sense it. He didn’t have all the answers, but he knew she wasn’t acting like herself tonight. He reached over quickly and slid the ss away from her hand. “Enough. I’m taking you back.”


    Deep inside, Charlette fought against the ache burning in her chest, struggling not to fall apart. She replied, her voice edged with challenge, “Going back, huh? If we’re going, you’re staying with me.”


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    Ellis didn’t argue. Instead, he asked, “Are you steady enough to walk?” Most nights, it would take a lot more to make Charlette drunk, but she threw her arms out in a dramatic gesture. “No way. Guess you’ll have to carry me.”


    Ellis simply turned his back, crouched low, and waited for her to climb on.


    Soon, he carried her out of the tavern, heading in the direction of the Azure Dragon Unit Base.


    While shey across his back, her gaze was filled with emotions even she couldn’t name.


    A cold turn of her head sent N’s gaze settling on a distant corner, her eyes stormy and unreadable. Absolute ipetence—that was all she saw in people who couldn’t even control their own sidekicks.


    No one had ever discovered her secret connection to the ck-market organ operation. It had all started a year ago, when a man from a mysterious syndicate had emerged from the shadows with promises of hefty sums if she would assist in illegal surgeries.


    Financial desperation had left N with little choice but to ept their offer. Keeping up appearances with her im of being Commander Rayne’s niece required expensive dresses and sparkling jewels, far beyond what her hospital sry could support.


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