Claire Monroe didn’t let her guard down, continuing her gentle questioning. "Who is she?"

Miles Hawthorne’s lips stirred as if he was about to speak, but in the next instant, he suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood and passed out completely!

Claire Monroe’s face turned pale. The hypnosis had been forcefully broken, and the mental strain took its toll. She stumbled back several steps before regaining her balance.

Chloe Reed stepped forward to steady her. "Claire, are you all right?"

Claire Monroe closed her eyes, putting away the antique pocket watch. "I’m fine. His willpower is too strong. This was as far as I could go."

She looked at Walker Grant. "Miss Vera. You memorized the name, right?"

"Yes."

Walker Grant’s eyes were cold and dark. "The payment will be transferred to your account. I’ll have someone take you home to rest."

A wry smile touched Claire Monroe’s lips. "Remember, you’re paying me extra for this."

"Yes."

A bodyguard stepped forward and helped Claire Monroe out of the basement.

Chloe Reed glanced at the unconscious Miles Hawthorne, her expression a mask of confusion.

’Miss Vera.’

’Is she the one who ordered him to try and kill me so many times?’

’Is this Miss Vera actually the daughter of Autumn Linton and Charles Reed?’

Suddenly, a hand took hers, a comforting warmth flowing from the touch. She snapped back to reality, turning to see the man who had appeared at her side without her noticing.

Walker Grant said in a low voice, "I’ll investigate this woman. I will never let her hurt you."

Chloe Reed lowered her gaze slightly. "This is our deal."

The words had barely left her lips when she pulled her hand away. The warmth vanished. She turned and walked out of the room.

Walker Grant sent a quick message before following her.

Standing under the night sky, fresh air filled Chloe Reed’s lungs, making her feel alive again.

When she faced Miles Hawthorne, it always felt like she was living in two different worlds.

Her past struggles had been misunderstandings and grievances. She would get upset, might even feel like she was going mad with frustration, but her life was never in danger.

But now, she had to be vigilant and on guard every single moment, because someone truly wanted to kill her.

Hearing footsteps behind her, Chloe Reed asked, "How is Noah Grant?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"You know?" There was a hint of surprise in Walker Grant’s voice.

"Yes, Claire told me." Chloe Reed turned her head to look at him. "You saw the lasting effects after my grandmother was poisoned. You need to find the antidote as soon as possible, or the consequences will be dire."

Walker Grant’s dark eyes grew a few shades colder. "I’ve already sent people to find it."

He paused, then walked to stand before her. "So you do have a soft spot. You’re still worried about Noah, aren’t you?"

Chloe Reed averted her gaze. "He’s just a child. I don’t like him, but I would never wish for him to suffer."

’Sunny Reed is vicious and cruel, but the child is innocent.’

But Walker Grant took her hand again. "He drew a picture and said it’s for you. Let’s go back and look at it."

Chloe Reed frowned at his words. "It’s late. I need to get some rest. And you still have to investigate who Vera is."

"This won’t take long."

Walker Grant pulled her straight into the car.

Back at Jardinelle, he led her to his room, opened a drawer, and took out a drawing.

"Look, Noah drew this. He said this is you, and this is me. He hopes you can come to like him and accept him."

Walker Grant’s dark eyes were fixed on her face as he spoke.

Chloe Reed lowered her gaze to the drawing, her long lashes fluttering. In a flat voice, she said, "I can’t."

Lifting her eyes, she met his gaze. "And I don’t need to try to accept him. We’re going to get divorced sooner or later, and I won’t be his aunt anymore."