Chapter 1763
Three days into Ian''s mysteriousa, Dn rolled into the quaint town of Greenfield, with a
special delivery: Patric, cuffed and looking like he''d been through the wringer, was dragged into the
heart of Greenfield Gardens.
The sight of Patric in such a state was a solemn reminder of the power y at hand. He was
sporting a scruffy beard and hiding behind a pair of sses, a sharp contrast to his former self.
Maja, unable to bring herself to call Dn "big brother," simply nodded in acknowledgment of his
presence.
Patric''s eyes held a flicker of something indefinable when he caught Maja''s gaze, but it vanished as
quickly as it appeared. He stayed sullenly silent, a storm brewing in his silence.
Beck, who was never one to mince words, smacked him on the back of the head. "Quit sulking,
man. After all that running and hiding, here you are, caught like a rat in a trap."
It was a joint effort between Dn and some hard characters from the local fight club that had
cornered Patric. He was seething, and not even Maja''s questions about Eric''s fate or Patric''s future
ns could pierce his resolve.
Before matters could progress, the doorbell rang, slicing through the tension. Dr. Sarah and
Bernard, apanied by a line of uniformed officers, stood at the threshold. Maja''s eyes sparkled
with a glint of intrigue as she took them in.
Dr. Sarah''s gaze lingered on Patric for a quick moment before she gracefully shifted her attention.
Bernard, meanwhile, exuded a calm authority as he stepped forward.
"I''m here to take Patric into custody. Ian had made a promise to return him unharmed," Bernard
dered with the ease of someone used to getting his way.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.
Maja bit her tongue; Bernard wasn''t someone she could easily challenge. However, his next words
sent a shiver down her spine.
"Additionally, we''ve contracted Dr. Sarah''s services. I understand Ian''s predicament, and if you trust
me, I can provide Dr. Sarah with state-of-the-art facilities to develop a potential antidote. The kind of
equipment she needs can only be obtained through government channels."
Maja''s fingers twitched subtly. She looked up at Bernard, his smile as reassuring as a benevolent
patriarch''s.
"I have every faith in your intentions," Maja said with a thin smile. "But wasn''t Dr. Sarah scheduled
to return to North America? What''s changed her mind so abruptly?"
Dr. Sarah''s response was light and detached. "Once Ian''s situation is resolved, I''ll be free to return
to North America."
Maja nodded silently, agreeing to let them take Patric, but requested a day to speak with Ian before
they returned for him.
Bernard and Dr. Sarah departed as swiftly as they had arrived. Alone again, Maja called Fitch,
seeking an update on his end.
Fitch, standing in the midst of Oakford, reported in a steady voice, "After Queena''s execution, her
ashes were supposed to be delivered to her family. Since she had none left, they were scattered
into the sea off Oakford. No evidence, no way to prove whether she''s alive or dead."
The rain in Oakford had turned Fitch''s suit pants muddy as he listened to Maja question his loyalty.
"Fitch, do you truly consider Ian a friend? Would you betray him?"
Fitch''s pause was palpable, his tone darkening. "What are you implying, Maja? I know you''ve been
sour about Zoey''s choice, but it was her decision, not mine. I merely presented an opportunity."
Maja''s voice was resolute. "There might be something off about Bernard."
"Have you lost your mind?" Fitch retorted, incredulous.
Only Maja would dare to cast suspicion on Bernard. After all, she was the same woman who had
once dared to sue Edith.
"I''m not crazy. If there''s no lead on your end,e back."
Fitch looked down at the mud clinging to his legs, his mind awash with thoughts and the murky
possibilities ahead.