Chapter 1996


    Chapter 1996


    "Keegan?" Darcie''s voice was tinged with uncertainty. She thought, ''It''s unusual for Keegan to be with


    Jaylene sote.''


    "Why do you have Jaylene’s phone?" she inquired.


    Ste, mimicking Keegan''s voice, exined, "Jaylene had too much to drink. I brought her to my ce


    to help sober her up. She didn''t want to go home in this state, fearing you''d be angry."


    Darcie frowned, "Keegan, bringing Jaylene to your ce is inappropriate. You''re engaged to Ste,


    even if just in name. It looks bad. Send her home now."


    After a feigned pause, Ste replied, "I nned to, but Jaylene insisted on staying, not wanting to upset


    you while drunk. Don''t worry; Aldor''s here too. It won''t affect Jaylene''s reputation."


    Darcie was silent for a moment. Just as Ste thought she had been persuaded, Darcie said, "Turn on


    the video call. I want to see Jaylene."


    Ste, maintaining herposure, agreed, "okay."


    The call ended, and Darcie''s video call request soon came through on Jaylene''s phone.


    Ste, caught in a bind, neither answered nor disconnected.


    Holding Jaylene''s phone, she turned the shlight to its brightest and, with the persistent ringtone


    echoing, messaged Keegan on WhatsApp: [Darcie called Jaylene''s phone, she wants a video to see


    Jaylene''s condition. We need to wrap this up quickly.]


    Keegan swiftly replied: [OK.]


    The unanswered video call left Darcie hanging up and calling back. The once mundane ringtone now


    echoed ominously, heightening Ste''s anxiety.


    Shortly after, Keegan emerged from the room. Ste went upstairs with Jaylene''s phone to brief him on


    the situation.


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    Just then, Keegan''s phone rang with Darcie on the line. He gestured for Ste to stay quiet before


    answering.


    "Keegan, why didn''t you answer the video call earlier?" Darcie asked sternly.


    "I was about to, but Jaylene''s phone died," Keegan replied calmly.


    Darcie''s brows knitted together, "Your voice sounded different before."


    Ste''s heart pounded. Imitating a male voice as a woman was challenging, especially in maintaining


    the lower pitch and nuanced characteristics of Keegan''s voice. While she had captured Keegan''s vocal


    traits urately, the imitation was not wless, especially whenpared to the person being imitated.


    Anyone listening intently to the voice might notice the pitch discrepancy.


    Ste had hoped Darcie would not detect the difference over the phone, but the woman was


    exceptionally perceptive.


    Keegan, however, remainedposed, "Does it? I think it''s the same. Maybe it’s the echo in the living


    room. The new house is quite spacious."


    Darcie paused, pondering his response. After a moment, she said, " I''ll add you on WhatsApp for a


    video call. I want to see Jaylene."


    "Alright," Keegan agreed.


    After hanging up, Ste exhaled in relief.


    Keegan epted Darcie''s WhatsApp request, and she initiated a video call immediately. He answered,


    greeting her calmly, "Hello, Darcie."