Chapter 571

“Why?” My throat tightened as I forced out the question.

Hernan looked confused. “Hmm?”

I stared into his unreadable eyes. “Why are you… so nice to me?”

I swallowed, pushing on. “We barely know each other, and honestly, I’m just… some pawn for you, right?”

He chuckled. “What, am I wrong to be nice?”

“Yeah. It makes me uneasy,” I admitted. No one’s just nice for no reason.

Hernan tilted his head. “Because you’re useful to me.”

“Useful? How?” My stomach twisted.

He just laughed. “You really don’t let anything go, do you?”

The more casual he acted, the more nervous I got. “Stop messing with me.”

His smile faded as he reached out, brushing his fingers along my cheek. A shiver ran down my spine, like I’d just been touched by a snake.

I stepped back instinctively.

He dropped his hand. “You’ll find out when the time’s right.”

Still no answers. I clenched my fists, frustrated.

“Come on,” he said, motioning for me to follow.

I didn’t budge. He smirked. “You really want to stay here, in the lion’s den?”

I wasn’t that dumb. If I stayed, Bruno would probably either kill me or leave me barely breathing.

But there was more going on. Hernan hadn’t just brought me here to warn Bruno. I had this feeling he was stirring things up, making sure Bruno hated me even more.

Thinking back on Hernan and Bruno’s conversation, I hurried to catch up. “Then tell me something else—what did you mean when you said I’m being used by someone?”

He glanced over. “Picked up on that, huh?”

That was as good as admitting it. A chill ran down my spine. “Who? Who’s using me, and for what?”

“You’ll find out soon enough,” he replied, like this was all a game.

I grabbed his arm. “Can you just be straight with me? Who is it?”

He stopped, looking at me. “Who do you think?”

I was done. “Is this some kind of game to you? If you’re gonna tell me, just say it! Quit messing with me, making me all anxious just to back off at the last second.”

Hernan studied me. “He’s the mastermind here. Even if I told you now, you wouldn’t believe me.”

“Who is he?” I was practically shaking with the need to know, like I could rip it out of him if I had to.

“Let’s go watch the match first,” Hernan said, brushing it off again. “I’ll tell you after it’s over.”

I was furious, but I knew yelling wouldn’t get me anywhere. He wasn’t budging.

So, with my anger simmering under the surface, I followed him to the stadium. I didn’t speak a word to him the entire way.

My mind raced. Who could this mastermind be? Jace? It made the most sense. He’s the one who told me about Steve, leading me into this mess in the first place. Then when he got hurt, I ended up donating my blood to save him, and that’s when Hayden freaked and dumped me. Bruno’s appearance? Could that be part of Jace’s plan too? Maybe he wanted to push me to the edge, just so he could swoop in, play hero, and win me back. The more I thought about it, the more it fit.

When the car finally stopped, I turned to Hernan. “Is it Jace?”

Hernan didn’t respond, just looked out the window. “Look how well Haddy and his fiancée suit each other.”

Chapter 572