Chapter 307

Chapter 307:

Inside the Stanley Group’s headquarters, Brayden studied the card, his thumb gliding over the gold detailing while a slow heaviness crept into his chest. Clive hovered nearby, unsure. “Is something wrong, Mr. Stanley? Should we pass on Mr. Holt’s invitation p>

“No need,” Brayden stated, pulling himself out of the memory that had flickered through him. “Even if we turned it down, they’d just send another. There’s no point p>

Clive lowered his voice, still baffled. “I’m not following p>

Brayden rose and crossed to the floor-to-ceiling window, his hands folding behind him as he stared at the city skyline. “She’s back p>

The intricate gold motif pressed into the invitation had been her signature for years. And although the trip had been announced under Eaton’s name, Brayden recognized the hand guiding it from the shadows.

The office door pushed open with a muted thud as Charlie stepped in from the hallway.

Brayden swung around in one smooth motion. “What now? Did something happen with Lia again p>

“She woke up and is making a scene now,” Charlie informed him, a crease deepening between his brows. “She’s burning up. The medical team doesn’t dare force her, so she’s tearing up the hospital room p>

“So what does she want p>

“She’s asking for you,” Charlie answered in a low voice.

A low laugh slipped from Brayden as he shook his head. “After everything she’s pulled, she still can’t let it go p>

He rested his elbow on the chair’s arm and added, “Go tell her that if she keeps stirring up chaos, even Carl won’t be able to shield her p>

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With his instructions clear, Charlie offered a stiff nod and slipped out of the office.

Brayden eased into his chair again, his gaze drifting toward Clive. “Weren’t a few of those villagers scheduled to be released today p>

Clive drew himself upright, his voice steady. “That’s right. Per your earlier orders, the team planned to escort them straight back to their village once they walked out p>

Brayden tilted his head, fatigue flickering across his expression. “That won’t be necessary anymore.” He let out a slow exhale, shoulders sinking against the leather. “I tried to keep those people away so Lia wouldn’t be dragged through that mess again, but clearly… that was just me being naive. Maybe she used to be soft-hearted, but the world outside has reshaped her. She’s not the same girl anymore p>

Catching the shift in his tone, Clive gave a quiet nod and slipped from the room without another word.

Later that afternoon, Gracie headed toward the Sullivan Group, Alan’s call still lingering at the back of her mind.

As she rolled past the Lawson Group building, a scuffle at the curb caught her eye. A familiar silhouette jerked under someone’s grip.

A sharp tension tightened behind her ribs. She eased her car to the side, cut the engine, and slipped out. Keeping her steps light, she crossed toward a small utility shed and tucked herself into its shadow.

One man spat out bitter words. “So this is the glamorous life you get now, Lia? Meanwhile, every man back home got hauled off to prison. That’s on you. You dragged the whole village down p>

Another man yanked her arm, voice rising with ugly resentment. “You promised us money, and we haven’t seen a single cent. Thought you could disappear? If we hadn’t tracked down where you work, you’d still be hiding p>

“We kept quiet because you agreed to pay. Hand over five million, and we’ll finally stay out of your business. Otherwise, we’ll go straight to that man and lay out everything from back then. Let’s see how long you keep up this innocent act p>

A deep crease pinched Gracie’s brows as she lifted her phone, angling the camera toward Lia with a steady hand.