?Chapter 1046:


    Wesley, the edge gone from his demeanor, lifted a brow curiously. “How did you piece that together?” Never before had anyone seen through his secret identity, but Elena had managed to do so.


    Lowering her gaze, Elena replied calmly, “I messaged Nightshade, and it’s you who showed up. No one else could have subdued Scarface so easily except Nightshade. Only you fit the bill.”


    A spark of genuine appreciation flickered in Wesley’s eyes. “You’re really sharp.” Since he didn’t deny he was Nightshade, Elena turned her attention to unfinished…


    Business. She extended her palm. “Hand back the eighty billion.” After all, she’d hired Nightshade to keep Wesley safe—only to find Wesley had been the legendary Nightshade all along. She had to get that money back.


    A richugh rolled out of Wesley, his whole frame shaking with genuine amusement. “You’re hopeless when ites to money. Once a bounty’s imed, there’s no such thing as a refund.”


    To him, that eighty billion from her was more than payment—it was a sign she cared. He’d already tucked it away in an ount he’d set up specially for that. Returning the funds was out of the question, but he had another n—one that involved giving her even more.


    Wesley scribbled out a check, sliding it across the seat with a sly grin. “Eighty billion was a fair payment for my work. But take this—one hundred billion, just for you.”


    A look of satisfaction softened Elena’s features as she epted the check. All her searching to secure Nightshade’s protection for Wesley had turned into an borate joke on herself.


    Lydia wasted no time, arriving swiftly after Elena’s alert. Scarface was already in handcuffs, marched off by agents from the National Security Bureau. Just as Lydia turned, ready to leave the chaos behind, Jeffry’s voice chased after her. “Lydia!”


    She paused at the sound, frowning.


    Jeffry walked over. “Can we talk? Just a moment—please.”


    No part of Lydia wanted to rehash old wounds, but surrounded by watchful eyes, she gave a slight nod. They stepped aside, finding privacy near the curb. Lydia’s expression was frosty, her gaze unwavering.


    Jeffry’s throat tightened as he searched for the right words, his voice softer than before. “Lydia, I was too arrogant before. I thought I could handle everything myself…”


    Your next adventure is at g  al n ovels . con


    With her silence bearing down on him, he faltered. After a moment, he said, “I’ve already warned Evelyn not to bother you again.”


    Her eyes didn’t waver. “So? One apology, and I’m supposed to just forgive you?”


    A shadow of regret crossed Jeffry’s face, bitterness coloring his next words. For the first time, real remorse had gnawed at him. He’d never realized how much Lydia meant to him—until now, when all his pride had crumbled. Dropping his gaze, Jeffry said in a hoarse voice, “Lydia, I realize now how wrong I was…”


    A knot formed in Lydia’s chest, a tangle of emotions pressing up until her eyes prickled with tears she refused to let fall. Jeffry’s apology came out of nowhere—why offer it now of all times? Was he honestly so naive to think a handful of apologies could undo all the damage he’d caused? She preferred it if he hadn’t apologized at all. Since he was already the viin in her story, he might as wellmit to the role.


    The nighty around them, the distant noise of the crowd faint and irrelevant—a world away. Only the quiet rhythm of their uneven breaths filled the space between them.


    Lydia remained rooted to the spot, fists balled tight at her sides.


    Jeffry couldn’t look away, his eyes tracing her features as suppressed feelings boiled up, refusing to stay hidden any longer. Regret twisted inside him—how had he ever allowed her to slip away before?


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