The group was still talking when footsteps echoed on the stairs—Dylan was coming down.
Richard’s hand froze on his glass, then he set it down quietly, saying nothing.
Dylan walked straight to Walter’s side and greeted him, his voice flat. “Father.”
Walter looked pleased. “Just one more month before you leave for overseas. Make sure you get all your work at Ferguson Corporation sorted out. Once you’re in North America, it’ll be hard to come back.”
Dylan nodded. “I’m heading to Ferguson Corporation now.”
He turned to go. Richard quickly followed, glancing back at Walter and Rai. “I’ll head out too.”
He caught up to Dylan at the door, lighting a cigarette as Dylan was about to get in his car.
“Dylan, are you feeling alright?”
Aiden was nowhere in sight. Instead, there was a new assistant by Dylan’s side—someone Walter had clearly arranged.
“I’m fine,” Dylan replied, barely glancing at him before getting in the car.
Richard took a long drag of his cigarette. “Are you coming back to Palm Bay tonight? There’s someone waiting for you.”
But Dylan’s face stayed unreadable. Who would be waiting for him in Palm Bay? There wasn’t even a flicker of emotion in his eyes. “I’ll be at Ferguson Corporation for the next few months, handling business.”
Richard didn’t push. He just nodded, flicking his ash away. “Alright. Take care.”
Dylan’s car rolled away.
Richard stood there for a moment, thinking, then finally pulled out his phone and called Clara.
Clara was out walking at Palm Bay, Milo and Buddy pacing quietly at her side. Charles had already left—now it was just her and the two dogs.
She answered, “Richard?”
“Walter doesn’t care if Dylan lives or dies. I’m guessing they changed the dosage again. You’d better stay put in Palm Bay. Aiden’s been replaced, and if you show up anywhere, you’ll have a target on your back. There’ll be people after you.”
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