Back in the day, with Everett''s mom gone, Dorothy wasn''t keen on holding grudges anymore. Life''s too short to be stuck in the past, torturing herself over things that can''t be changed.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    After what could only be described as a half-satisfying tumble between the sheets - at least for Everett, Dorothy was utterly spent.


    "We''ve got three more hours before wend. Get some sleep; I''ll wake you up when it''s time," Everett whispered, gently stroking her hair, his gaze lingering on her face, reluctant to look away.


    "Mhm," she murmured, already on the brink of sleep from exhaustion. No sooner had she spoken than she drifted off, using Everett''s arm as a pillow.


    Everett, with one hand free, grabbed his phone and shot a message to Kevin.


    "Pick up Dorothy from the airportter. Keep an eye on my dad; if he goes off the rails, step in."


    He knew his father would likely unleash his fury on Dorothy once he "learned" of his only son''s "death." But this charade was necessary, to convince Lane beyond doubt that no one was left to vie for Dorothy''s affection. Soon enough, Kevin replied, "Understood, Mr. Lopez."


    Despite all the precautions, Everett couldn''t shake off the worry. He couldn''t bear the thought of Dorothy facing any hardship.


    ...


    Ever since Karen received that call from Keh, there had been radio silence. Initially, she naively thought Keh had another way to secure the antidote for Dorothy. But she hadn''t expected Keh to have sided with Lane, the very man who had mercilessly killed Quincy! How could Karen not worry?


    Jeffrey, noticing his wife''s distraction, pressed her until she spilled the beans.


    "Keh told me not to tell anyone ahead of time, especially not Dorothy, not even you. He said if he called, I was to immediately im Everett was dead but keep it under wraps."


    en FindNovel


    Reflecting on it, Karen realized Lane must have been listening in when Keh made that call!


    "Why would Keh go rogue without telling us?" Jeffrey was equally rmed.


    Karen had only heard second-hand ounts of Quincy''s gruesome death, but Jeffrey had witnessed it firsthand. Having such a madman close by spelled danger every passing minute. "He wanted to get the antidote for Dorothy!"


    "But-"


    "Jeffrey, you don''t understand Keh''s feelings for Dorothy," Karen sighed. "Everett loves her dearly, but Keh''s affection is just as deep. Knowing the poison could be fatal, Keh would dly trade his life for hers."


    "So, what do we do now? Should I contact Everett, see if he can think of a way to rescue Keh first?"


    Karen pondered for a moment


    before shaking her head. "Keh''s


    already by Lane''s side. If he


    suddenly leaves or gets rescued


    by


    our people, it''ll only rm Lane


    Plus... I''m not sure if Keh has


    another n in mind by being there."


    All he had said was that he''d secure the antidote, no matter what.


    Jeffrey frowned, not fully processing the situation, and blurted out, "Keh isn''t nning to use the antidote to coerce Dorothy into being with him, is he?"


    Karen''s gaze turned sharp as she red at him. "If Keh were that kind of person, he''s had countless opportunities to pressure Dorothy."