Chapter 17 Samuel’s assistant gave a double–check. Lampard, the is spotless. No recent at all. The call wrapped up, Samuel was left in awkward silence, facing Julie, Austin, Melanie. Melanie, a sudden spark curiosity, “Maybe sister’s been using boyfriend’s all this time? Like, Craig guy with the nine–to–five?” 1:|:ཀ དེ་ ན ཚན Melanie, keep own connection to on the down–low, nodded. she mentioned he gives her his paycheck. I have number. Let me see if they’ve in together. Austin his eyes, “Using a guy’s money and living together? gonna tarnish our family’s reputation. Melanie dialed Craig’s number, her voice casual. Fraley, just between have you been paying for everything for my sister?” was caught but played along. Yeah, usually. Why do you ask?” “Has ever talked paying you back?” Melanie smiled “We don’t keep score. I just her 30 hundred from my company bonus. She said it was something important,” Craig smoothly. was pleased put her phone making sure her family could hear. is she staying at your now?” paused, considering his words. He’d been looking Kylie, but no one seemed to where she’d gone. He figured. had an angle call. He knew his bread was buttered on. Melanie was the family’s favorite. So he lied again, “She was with me until yesterday, but I didn’t give her more cash, got upset and left. she might be?” After hanging up. Melanie looked at her with mix of satisfaction and concern. “Kylie’s always her money. It’s really worrisome. Samuel’s was palpable. “Disgraceful!” slammed his hand table, the glass flying off shattering against the wall. Kylie slipped her into her headed toward Mall’s underground parking lot. Traffic had been mess. but it gave her a chance to hit the supermarket. She was about to step of car when she the task she’d agreed for earlier. Flipping her phone, she through the photos he’d sent. [The jade pendant in the fourth is the one. ] she texted back. Just as she was about to enter the supermarket, her phone rang. name flashed on the screen. “Where are you?” he asked, voice all business. “At the in Mall,” Kylie answered, reaching for shopping cart. “Wait for me,” before the call ended abruptly. Kylie stood there a moment, little bewildered. Was he close? dawned on her–the Trendy Mall was just a stone’s throw from the a major landmark in Jardora. already making a dent the snack tossing bags chips and a mix of treats into cart. Ever since her accident, she’d been craving little comforts. Back then, she’d been too penny–wise to splurge on was about making up for lost time, even to bring some Hoard. They had a thing for these snacks during their TV binges. among shoppers. When he finally spotted Kylie, his face like it give an ice for its money–it that cold. His usual aloofness had turned into something Arctic. engrossed in her quest, only noticed Trevor when she looked up from her cart. He seemed a bit grumpy. “Is there something you need, Mr. Walters?” she asked. His were as frosty as a winter breeze. “Are you done shopping?” “Not quite. Want They’ve got a new flavor of chips here. Interested?” Kylie’s question was more of a polite gesture. Trevor didn’t even bother to look at chips, his voice cold as his gaze. don’t food. “Isn’t this from the food Walters Group? You’re not a little self–deprecation?” Kylie sneered. was easygoing, that didn’t mean she going to take the heat for someone else’s bad day. If someone upset he with them. Why was he her the cold shoulder! the past two days, she been considerate of Noreen’s feelings, even when she noticed his offhand attitude. She given plenty of leeway Trevor’s expression darkened, his gaze sharp as a blade. As a powerful man, make tremble. Kylie seen her fair share of tough times, under Trevor’s stern gaze, her heart still skipped a beat. “Grandma asked us to go to house together. her on a piece jewelry she wants to on, Trevor coldly. If weren’t request, wouldn’t have considered bringing her along. It just a piece of jewelry; he could have it himself. had beautiful that sparkled when she crescent–shaped and gentle. But when she wasn’t smiling hint of anger, she resembled beast ready fight fate, instantly giving the impression that she had been dealt a raw hand. It to…cherish her. But that thought was quickly extinguished. To him, she not only cunning but also adept at deception. “Alright,” Kylie agreed, seeing no reason to request. “Your clothes won’t do. ” Trevor’s gaze revealed his disapproval. He his watch and said, “The starts at tonight. It’s not five yet. There’s time to get ready. I’ll Zach take you somewhere. I’ll meet at the house. “Sure, I’ll check out and then load up car. Have Zach wait for me at the parking exit, Kylie pushing her cart to the Trevor stood there, his gaze over the the shelf. was ready to chauffeur Kylie, but she’d already driven herself there. So he navigated to her location. When he got to the parking lot’s he slid into her tiny electric car. His long legs made the interior feel more He raised an eyebrow. Walters, your got a garage cars. didn’t take one of those?” Kylie smiled, “This one’s better for the planet. What kept to that her marriage to was of a contract than a commitment. They weren’t really a couple, and she wouldn’t use his stuff.