Even when Brandon was still in the Darkmoon, his care for her was mostly based on the trust and camaraderie between teammates when they sparred together,lacking the affectionate tenderness she now saw him display towards Natalie.
She’d never expected that the first time she’d see his gentle side would be when it wasn’t directed at her,but rather,another woman.
As she pondered over these emotions,Corinne couldn’t help but chuckle sarcastically at her own feelings.
Seeing the loneliness and depression in Corinne’s eyes,Britton glared at her with disappointment and said crossly,”You’re not showing any promise.Are you going to give up so easily after facing such a minor setback?”
Corinne gazed at Britton with a helpless expression.”What else can I do but give up?It’s very clear to me now.Brandon has never…He’s never loved me.”
Upon hearing this,Britton snorted dismissively. “Love is just a trivial seasoning in life.Only young people such as yourself value it so much.” He then glanced over at Brandon,a glimmer of hope flashing through his opaque eyes. “Brandon is a good catch.He’s capable and resourceful.If you’re able to marry him,it will certainly benefit the Darkmoon.”
“Brandon won’t marry me…“Corinne murmured as she lowered her head dejectedly.
Britton’s dissatisfaction was evident as he retorted,”If you give up at the first sign of trouble,how do you expect to lead the entire Darkmoon to dominance?”
Sensing the dissatisfaction and disdain in Britton’s tone,Corinne lowered her head, choosing to remain silent with tears welling up in her eyes.
No matter how hard she tried,she knew deep down that she would never meet his expectations.
Having failed numerous times in Britton’s eyes, Corrine felt physically and mentally drained. She couldn’t bear to put in so much effort just to get his approval.
Perhaps it was time for her to rethink her desires.
Noticing Corinne’s silent,dispirited demeanor, Britton glared at her angrily,realizing that he couldn’t count on her.He turned to Brandon and took charge,saying,”Brandon,can you drop us off at Darkmoon’s headquarters first?I fear that if we don’t return,the situation with the group will become chaotic.”
Taking a look at his watch,Brandon nodded in agreement and instructed the pilot to head to Darkmoon’s headquarters.
…
Two hours earlier,at the headquarters of the Darkmoon Assassin Group,Laney led the way as Garrett drove towards a clandestine entrance. As soon as the car stopped,Laney caught sight of a figure slowly approaching them.Her eyes narrowed as she instantly became alert.
Garrett also noticed the incoming figure,and couldn’t help but exclaim in astonishment when he saw the person clearly.”Is that Harrell?” “Yes,”Laney replied.”You’re not skilled in combat,so don’t get out of the car and cause any trouble for me.If there’s any danger,just drive away and leave me to deal with it on my own.”
“No way!I have to get out of the car and fight with you!”Garrett objected without hesitation. “T’m a man.How can I hide behind a woman?” Laney rolled her eyes at him and retorted, “Come on,you can’t even kill a chicken.How could you possibly fight with me?If you get out of the car,you’ll only make things worse.Just stay here.”
As Laney spoke,she unfastened her seat belt, getting ready to get out of the car.Upon seeing this,Garrett grew anxious and grabbed her wrist,saying,”I want to go with you!”
Laney raised her eyebrows in surprise,taking a look at Garrett’s large hand as he gripped her wrist.She smirked.”You’ve made a lot of progress,Garrett.Now you even dare to try and stop.”
“I can’t let you take this risk alone!”he replied stubbornly.
“Let go of me!”
“No!”
Seeing Harrell getting closer and closer,Laney’s patience wore thin.She immediately grabbed Garrett’s arm and pressed him firmly against the window.Then,with a swift move,she got out of the car and locked the door behind her.
Upon hearing the door lock,Garrett became even more anxious,ignoring the pain in his arm and pounding on the window as he yelled.
Outside the car,however,no one could hear his cries through the bulletproof glass,and Laney just ignored him.
After stepping out of the car,Laney,holding a sharp dagger in her right hand behind her back, leaned against the door and fixed her gaze upon Harrell,who was slowly approaching.
Harrell did not seem to notice her vigilance toward him and proceeded to greet her with a big smile.”You must be Laney,Brandon’s friend. Nice to see you.”
“What are you doing here?”Laney coldly asked, not in the mood for pleasantries.
Seeing her vigilance,Harrell sighed helplessly and threw his hands up.”Look.I don’t have any weapons on me,and I’m not here to make things difficult for you.”
Laney appraised and examined him from head to toe.When she realized that he could not have concealed any weapon,a sense of relief washed over her.Yet,her grip on the dagger did not waver.”Why are you here then?I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”
Harrell spread his hands innocently and looked washed over her.Yet,her grip on the dagger did not waver.”Why are you here then?I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”
Harrell spread his hands innocently and looked at her with a sincere gaze.”Brandon asked me to pick you up.Otherwise,I wouldn’t have come to help and risked being seen as a traitor by Mr.
Scott.”
“Did Brandon ask you to come here?Why didn’t he tell me?”Laney queried,her eyes narrowed and brows furrowed in suspicion.
A thought suddenly crossed her mind.She tightened her grip on the dagger,and a sneer spread across her face.”If my memory serves me right,you’re Britton’s right-hand man,the second-in-command of the Darkmoon Assassin Group.Are you betraying your group for Brandon?Stop fooling around.Do you honestly think I’m a foo?!”
Harrell shrugged helplessly.”If you don’t believe me,why don’t you call Brandon?”
“I don’t need you to tell me.”Laney took out her phone and called Brandon,who quickly answered her call “What’s the matter?Did anything happen?”he worriedly asked.
“Did you send Harrell here?”Laney asked without beating around the bush.
Upon getting Brandon’s confirmation,she breathed a sigh of relief and loosened her grip on the dagger.
Harrell’s grin widened,and he asked with a chuckle,”You believe me now?”
Laney,still puzzled,asked,”You’re the second-
in-command of the Darkmoon.Why are you helping Brandon?What’s in it for you to fight against your own group?”
At her question,Harrell burst into laughter.He pondered for a moment and then explained with a serious expression,”Fighting against the Darkmoon Assassin Group won’t do me any good,and I seek no personal gain.But for Brandon,I’d do anything.”
Before Laney could ask further, Harrell interjected with a smile,”Let’s not talk about it now.Even though Brandon has Britton distracted,don’t forget that we’re still in his territory.Danger might arise later.We have to finish the plan before Britton returns.We shouldn’t waste our time or be suspicious of each other.Agreed?”
Laney paused,then finally nodded.She turned around and,at last,let Garrett out of the car.
After stepping out,Garrett nervously grasped Laney’s hand and asked,”Are you alright?Did you get hurt?”
Laney rolled her eyes at him and retorted,”You were watching,weren’t you.Can’t you tell if I’m hurt or not?”
Garrett awkwardly scratched his head and complained,”Why lock me in the car?If something happened,I couldn’t have protected you.”
Laney pinched his arm with disdain and looked him from head to toe.”Save me with those weak arms and legs of yours?You’d probably be knocked down with a single punch.”
Unconvinced,Garrett tightened his grip on Laney’s hand and said,”I don’t care.I’ll keep holding your hand to make sure you’re safe and that you can never abandon me when you’re in danger.”
Feeling the sweat on his hand from anxiety, Laney looked at him with affection.”You’re quite the handful,but Ill leave it up to you,”
she said,suppressing a smile and feigning indifference.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
Leave a Reply