Chapter 305

“No,” Lina Sweeney said, but she guessed why Jason had come. It was probably because of Grace.

“If not, why did he seek you out so late?” Hadwin Stephenson said coolly. “What woman in Emerald City could make him do that? Or was it because of him that you didn't come looking for me all these years?”

A faint hint of jealousy tinged his voice.

Lina Sweeney was speechless. She wished she measured up to Jason's standards! He was after Grace, wasn't he?

“It has nothing to do with him. I simply never looked for you,” Lina Sweeney said. Too much had happened since her return. How could she have time for anything else? Besides, she considered their encounter a chance meeting, their night together an accident. She planned to keep it a secret for life, not even telling her parents or Grace.

He looked angrier than ever. He glared, pressing his thin lips together. Finally, he said, “You have a way of infuriating people.”

He’d been good at controlling his emotions since childhood. Born out of wedlock, he’d learned to endure. However, she was the only one who seemed to affect him so profoundly. He felt he could completely release his emotions around her, unburdened.

The few days they’d spent together were both sweet and painful. He often thought of them in the three years since. The happier those days had been, the more painful her departure without a goodbye.

A knock came at the door. Hadwin Stephenson composed himself. “Come in.”

Someone entered. It was the guard, followed by Jason and Grace.

Lina Sweeney’s eyes lit up at the sight of her best friend. “Grace!” She hadn’t expected her to be there.

Grace immediately ran to Lina, nervously asking, “How are you feeling? What happened? Are you all right?”

“I’m fine!” Lina Sweeney said hastily.

Grace was relieved. “Why did, uh, this man bring you here? Do you know him?” she asked.

Lina Sweeney smiled awkwardly. “That’s… a long story.” Then, as if remembering something, she said, “By the way, did you tell my parents I was taken?”

“Not yet, but… I called the police,” Grace said.

“I’m doomed. The police will probably contact my parents,” Lina Sweeney wailed, making a move to leave.

She imagined the crying and screaming that awaited her.

But a hand stopped her. “Did I say you could leave?”

Lina Sweeney was shocked. Grace lunged forward, protectively shielding her friend. “You have no right to detain anyone, and I’ve called the police. If you don’t want trouble, you’d better let Lina go.”