Chapter 230
Chapter 230:
“Oh? You’re not staying?” Brayden’s gaze flicked to Gracie, concern threaded through an otherwise composed tone. “There’s plenty of space here. After a breakup, the night can be the worst—companionship helps p>
Gracie squeezed Jessie’s hand, worry plain in her eyes. “Stay tonight. You can crash here for a while. Brayden won’t mind p>
“Maybe not,” Jessie murmured, awkwardness catching at the edge of her words. She’d never been in a relationship; breakups were a foreign script to her.
Brayden was razor-sharp; a careless phrase could invite scrutiny.
He rose with measured grace and spoke to the butler. “Arrange something light for midnight. Miss Holt will be staying over p>
Jessie searched Gracie’s face for an out, but Gracie simply linked her arm through Jessie’s and pleaded, “Please. Don’t go. If you leave now, I’ll be fretting all night. Sleep beside me. Brayden won’t object p>
She glanced at Brayden; he inclined his head. “Gracie doesn’t have many close companions. You’re welcome anytime to keep her company. There will always be a room here for you. Head upstairs and relax. We’ll let you know when the food is ready p>
With little choice, Jessie followed Gracie back up the stairs.
Once inside, Gracie handed her the laptop. “Try to trace the private investigator’s IP from his number. If we can pin a spot, we call the authorities p>
“That’s our leverage,” Jessie said, massaging her forehead before she bent over the keyboard. “Gracie, your life’s not easy right now. Brayden is not someone to underestimate. Try to outsmart him, and you’d be incredibly lucky to survive p>
Gracie laughed, a short, incredulous sound. “You make him sound like a villain. He’s actually very kind p>
Jessie grew quiet, the only sound in the room the rapid rhythm of her typing. Her slender fingers danced over the keys, the screen’s pale light reflecting in her focused eyes as she attempted to trace the private investigator’s location through his phone number.
Minutes dragged into long, tense stretches. Her brows furrowed deeper with every failed result.
“His phone’s switched off,” she muttered under her breath. “No signal, no trace—it’s like he vanished into thin air p>
Theo’s counter-surveillance was sharper than she’d accounted for. Every trail she followed bled into nothingness, like water slipping through her grasp.
A soft, courteous knock broke the heavy silence.
The door opened, and the butler stepped in with his usual composure. “The food is ready. You may come down whenever you wish p>
“Thank you. We’ll be there soon,” Gracie said with a polite nod, subtly angling her body to hide the laptop screen from view. To the butler, it looked like Jessie was simply browsing aimlessly, perhaps distracted by some late-night pastime.
When the two women reached the living room, Brayden was nowhere in sight.
“Where’s Brayden? Did he go back to the study?” Gracie asked, scanning the room in mild confusion.
The butler gave a small bow. “He received a call and departed not long ago. He asked that you not wait for him, and to ensure your friend feels comfortable this evening p>
“Seems like he’s swamped with work. Let’s dig in,” Gracie said casually, unbothered. Brayden’s reputation as a workaholic was no secret.
They settled at the dining table, where a lavish array of dishes made Jessie’s eyes go wide. “Whoa, you’re really living large, aren’t you p>
“Then swing by more often and ditch the fast food! It’s bad enough your schedule’s a mess, but if you’re not eating right, how’s your body supposed to keep up?” Gracie teased.
The butler stood off to the side, a warm glint in his eyes. Their bond was even tighter than he’d thought.
On the highway, a convoy of eight black SUVs trailed a sleek Maybach, racing toward the city’s upscale penthouse district. Brayden sat in the Maybach’s backseat, his chiseled features set in an icy mask. “Is he still breathing p>
Message from Noa: Hope you have a great Tuesday dear readers, God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. p>