Chapter 225

His voice was relentless, like he wouldn't stop until I agreed to meet him.

Listening to him felt like being watched by a snake in the dark, its slimy tongue flicking out, ready to extort something from me.

"It's just tea, Ms. Sharp. Is that such a big deal?"

I thought for a moment, then nodded. "Fine, if you want to meet, we'll meet. But you know this is a sensitive time with the bidding process. Our meeting must be kept secret from the other bidders."

"And I won't give you any special treatment. Even though I'm the largest shareholder of the company, my shares are held in trust, so the decision-making power isn't mine."

"I understand. Don't worry, I just want to chat."

The more he said that, the more suspicious I became. Alfonso and I had no personal connection. What could we possibly have to chat about?

Alfonso and I arranged to meet at ten o'clock the next morning at a discreet restaurant.

Since I decided to go, I had to protect myself.

I haven't been living for myself for a long time. I live for my children, my family, and my friends.

So, I immediately called Royce. He seemed busy and hadn't returned yet. When I called, he hung up.

Royce must have had something urgent; otherwise, he would never hang up on me.

Sure enough, he called back within two minutes. "What's up? I was in a meeting."

"Alfonso wants to meet. He says he wants to discuss personal matters."

Royce paused for a moment. "Did you agree?"

"Yes, he was very insistent and difficult to deal with, so I had no choice."

"Alright, just remember to take Savannah with you. I'll also arrange for a few people to be nearby."

"Do you know what Alfonso wants?"

"No idea. He's a very unpredictable person, known for being hard to read in Skyview City. No one can guess his next move."

"And he's someone who won't stop until he gets what he wants, so I'm a bit worried about you."

I nodded. "I told him I wouldn't discuss work or give him any special treatment, but he still insisted on meeting to talk about personal matters."

"I don't understand what personal matters we could have, but it seems important, so I have to..."

"Then go. Don't worry, no matter what happens, I'll help you handle it."

I started coughing violently, caught off guard by Royce's words.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, just choked on some water."

My cheeks must have turned red. If Savannah and Kathy had seen, they would have teased me endlessly.

"Be careful. How are you still like a child?"

"Who's a child? I'm thirty years old."

"Really? To me, you haven't changed a bit since high school."

That was an insult to my years of business experience. After all these years as a boss, he still saw me as a naive kid.

"Cut it out. I'm not that kid anymore."

I hung up the phone.

After calming down, I went to find Savannah.

I told her about the lunch meeting with Alfonso the next day.

Savannah nodded seriously. "I know. Mr. Castillo called to remind me to ensure your safety."

"Don't worry, Caroline. I won't let anything happen to you."

I was taken aback by her seriousness. "Did Royce scold you?"

She shook her head. "No, Mr. Castillo didn't scold me, but he was very serious about protecting you and not letting our friendship affect my duty."

I couldn't help but feel helpless. Royce was really...

I patted Savannah's shoulder. "Don't overthink it. Royce is just tough on the outside but soft on the inside. He didn't mean anything by it. And remember, to me, you're like a sister."

Savannah nodded. "I know. Mr. Castillo made me realize that even though I see you as my sister, I must take my duty seriously."

"Because I see you as my sister, I have to be even more diligent."

I nodded helplessly. "Alright, but don't be too tense. We're like family, and I don't see any problem with you."

Leaving Savannah's room, I returned to my own.

Lowell, Earl, Alfonso-these seemingly unrelated people all appeared in Suncrest City at the same time, making me wonder if something was going on.

But when I tried to dig deeper, it was like a fog I couldn't see through, no matter how hard I tried.

I didn't know what lay beneath the fog. Maybe a monster with fangs, ready to devour us. Or a bottomless abyss, ready to shatter us to pieces.

Either way, I had to take it seriously.

I sighed and went to my father's grave in the back hills.

The scenery here was always the same, year-round. My dad loved it, so we chose this as his final resting place.

Kelly also said she wanted to be buried here with Gerald when her time came.

I sat by Gerald's grave, pouring a bottle of wine onto the ground. "Dad, I'm so tired. I wish you were here."

"I've been through so much lately, so much that my heart is heavy with sorrow. There's no one to talk to, and even if I did, it would only burden them."

"So I can only talk to you."

I recounted everything that had happened, like a diary.

Strangely, I didn't feel heartache. With each story, it felt like I was releasing something long blocked, leaving me with a sense of relief.

When I finished, I felt a sudden clarity.

At that moment, a leaf drifted down from the sky, landing on my wrist and staying there.

I looked at the leaf, surprised. "Dad, are you comforting me?"

The leaf seemed to move, as if responding.

Tears welled up in my eyes. I clutched the leaf tightly and began to cry.