Richard looked at lanie in disbelief, his expression stiffening as the weight of her words settled in and the very real problem appeared in front of him. "How will we get Marianne? She’s done everything so neatly...In all the evidence that you have gathered, it is impossible to..." His voice was low, almost as if speaking it out loud would make the task even more impossible. But he really could not think how Marianne would co into this. From the very beginning, she had only used lody’s hand to do everything.
But lanie’s lips curved into a small, confident smile that had him believe her. "I have a way, Mr Thomas. Don’t worry. For now, just don’t reveal anything to Marinne. Continue to pretend, no matter what. Just go and join her on the vacation, pretending to be the sa. Can you do that?"
Richard inhaled softly, his chest tight. How was he supposed to do that? How was he supposed to go now and face Marianne, to pretend in front of her as if nothing had changed, when every bone in his body hated her to the core and all he wanted to do was strangle her.
"I don’t think I can," he admitted, shaking his head slightly at the bittern taste in his mouth of not being able to strangle her right away. "If I go to her now, I might... let sothing slip. I’ll—" He paused, thinking quickly. "One of my offices in Country P has frequent troubles. I’ve had to cancel our outings because of it more than once. I’ll do the sa this ti. I’ll tell her there’s so urgent problem and that I need to go there imdiately. Would that be okay? Or... do you need to help you in so way and stay here?"
lanie shook her head, "It’s okay. As long as you don’t slip up and reveal sothing, don’t worry. I’ll handle things. You can leave for country P."
Richard gave a short nod, relief mixing with uncertainty. Still in a daze, he began moving toward the study. No. He would not leave this place. He would simply pretend to go to country P but stay here in hiding.
But just before he stepped out, lanie called after him."Mr. Thomas... lody has already turned out the way she did. But I will arrange for a psychologist to visit her when she’s in prison. While we will push for the maximum sentence, if she has soone to guide her, maybe it will make a difference by the ti she cos out."
Richard paused mid-step, the words catching him off guard. Slowly, he turned his head toward her and gave a grateful nod-one more reason, he thought, to be thankful that lanie had not grown up under his care. She was so much like lrose... kind when needed, yet unflinching when the situation demanded toughness. Despite what lody had done to her, she was willing to help her.
***
Once Richard Thomas was gone, lanie almost crumbled. Her legs felt weak, and for a mont, the air in her lungs seed to thin. If not for Adam standing there, she might have collapsed on the spot.
She felt bad for Richard Thomas. It was true- seeing him had stirred up mories she would rather have left buried. mories of the ti she had spent when married to Spencer, doing everything Madam Collins demanded just to please him... regardless of what was right or wrong.
If Adam hadn’t barged into her life, she thought bitterly, she might have remained a fool for a lifeti, waiting patiently, believing everything Spencer said. Hadn’t it been what Richard Thomas had ended up doing to himself?
She turned toward him, her eyes glistening. Without a word, she stepped forward, threw herself into his arms and clinging to him as if afraid he might disappear. Her tears ca freely, and her voice trembled against his chest."Thank you... for rescuing ."
She felt him smile faintly as his hand ca up to pat her head, his other arm tightening around her. He gave a small shake of his head."It was a mutual rescue, sweet little lon. If not for you, I would still be trapped, tortured by my past and all those false accusations. Rember?"
lanie managed a small smile through her tears but said nothing. Instead, she simply leaned up and pressed her lips softly against his before burying herself against his chest. "I love you, Adam Collins. Remind to tell you this every day."
Adam’s smile deepened, his eyes warm as he stole another kiss from her. One kiss was never enough when it ca to lanie, after all. "I’ll remind you every minute to say that, okay? And I love you, my sweet little lon."
lanie looked up at him and smiled, " I still don’t know why you insist on calling lon."
Adam grinned at her and smiled," Because I like to eat lons, of course."
lanie laughed at that, montarily forgetting that they were still under danger from soone else and all her troubles.
"So, what is this plan that you have for Marianne? You’ve been so secretive about it..."
lanie sighed and closed her eyes, listening to his steady heartbeat. She actually hoped to avoid it, because knowing Adam, he would definitely not agree with it. But, this was the only thing she could think of. Because the next part, it was not just Marianne but also Cadence Sint. The one person she had been avoiding talking about.
As if reading her mind, Adam asked slowly,"Is this about the person who kidnapped you?"
lanie leaned back and looked at him, and almost felt a shiver run down her spine. Though she agreed he looked hot at the mont, but the cold look in his eyes was almost like the one when he had ticulously planned the downfall of Saira and Sir Collins Jr.
So, she sighed and tried to explain," Yes. This does involve Cadence..."
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