Regaining her voice, Karla couldn't contain her confusion and concern and immediately asked Duncan for clarification. "What do you mean?" she inquired, her tone filled with a mix of shock and disbelief. Duncan, however, remained silent, his face reflecting the weight of the revelation he had just shared. Observing Karla's attempt to sit up, he swiftly moved towards her, gently restraining her from making any sudden movements."What's wrong with you?" Duncan scolded lightly, his voice revealing a blend of worry and protectiveness. "You were shot in the abdomen, so you shouldn't move too much." Karla winced, feeling a sharp pain emanating from her wounded abdomen. A light scream escaped her lips, and Duncan's immediate presence provided comfort and support."But the doctor said the bullet grazed my abdomen," Karla protested, trying to make sense of the conflicting information. Duncan sighed softly, his voice tinged with a mixture of concern and frustration. "Shut up," he retort
As Julie's concerned gaze shifted towards Karla's noticeably bulging abdomen, she instinctively attempted to pull up Karla's clothing slightly to examine the area. However, Duncan, acting on instinct, swiftly caught Julie's hand before she could proceed. In a subtle gesture, he flicked an imaginary speck of dirt from her hair, attempting to divert her attention away from Karla's condition. Duncan, realizing the need to provide an explanation, spoke up, his voice calm yet slightly strained. "Karla and I spent the night somewhere last night," he said, his words carefully chosen. "She didn't sleep all night, which is why she's looking pale." Duncan hoped that this partial truth would suffice as an explanation for Karla's appearance. Confusion and disbelief filled Julie's expression as she processed Duncan's statement. "What? Why didn't she sleep?" she asked, her voice tinged with astonishment. Her mind was unable to grasp the reason behind Karla's sleepless night. Caught off guar
Karla's lips parted in surprise as Duncan's unexpected action took her off guard. She hadn't anticipated such an intimate gesture from him. Nevertheless, her surprise quickly gave way to a sense of warmth and gratitude. Her arms instinctively wrapped around Duncan, holding onto him as if seeking solace and reassurance. The embrace spoke volumes, conveying an unspoken understanding and a deep connection between them. In that moment, words became unnecessary as their shared bond and care for one another transcended any need for explanation. Duncan pulled back slightly, his eyes still closed as he relished the peaceful moment, feeling the closeness he shared with Karla. He opened his eyes and gazed at her, a genuine smile on his face. "Thank you so much, Karla," he expressed sincerely. "I really appreciate what you've done for me." Karla blushed, her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue. She patted Duncan's back gently, reciprocating the gesture of affection. "You're welcome," she replied
Zinnia, shocked by the escalating confrontation, couldn't hide her astonishment, "How dare you? Did you just talk back to my mother? Are you high or something?!" Duncan's response was defiant, "I'm not. I think you all have been high." His words hung heavily in the air, further fueling the tension in the room. As the room continued to stare at Duncan, he stood his ground and spoke with determination, "I'm done working as a mere cleaner in this company. I am a son-in-law of this family, and I deserve respect regardless of my position." Zinnia, still seething with anger, responded with a firm oath, "You will not get what you wish." Undeterred by Zinnia's warning, Duncan made a bold declaration, shocking everyone present. He calmly stated, "Then I will look for work elsewhere. I'm sure the Walton Group of Companies would be interested in employing me since I am connected to the Lennart family." His words reverberated through the room, leaving the others in disbelief. They couldn'
Settling back on her seat, Ma'am Luna heaved a sigh of relief. The weight of their secret plans and the potential risks they faced had momentarily lifted from her shoulders. As Laura turned to properly face her, Ma'am Luna spoke with a mix of concern and determination in her voice. "We need to keep a close eye on her," Ma'am Luna began. "Though Zinnia isn't soft-hearted, she might lose sight of our goal and be strong-headed at times." Laura nodded in understanding, her expression serious. "Don't worry, mother. I will keep a close eye on my daughter. I will make sure she stays focused and doesn't deviate from our plan." Ma'am Luna looked at Laura with appreciation. "I trust you to handle this, my dear. You have always been level-headed and resourceful." Laura took a brief pause, gathering her thoughts. She knew there was more to discuss. "When you said I should tell her about everything, I figured out that you wanted me to change some things. I excluded telling her about our other
After a brief silence that enveloped the dining room, Ma'am Luna broke the stillness with cutting words. "It's because of you, Bella, that Aaron turned out to be useless," she accused, her voice filled with a mix of anger and disappointment. With those words, she abruptly stood up and left the room, leaving behind an atmosphere of tension and resentment. Zinnia, attempting to conceal her annoyance, rose from her seat and directed a stern statement towards Duncan. "Make sure you arrive at the company before me," she commanded, her words laced with frustration. Duncan, however, responded with a nonchalant demeanor. "I think my legs are aching," he casually remarked. "I have been job hunting for a while, you know, and that's why my legs turned out like that. So, I will take a bit of rest before heading to the company." Zinnia's patience wore thin as she retorted firmly, "I won't tolerate your negligence." Creasing his brows, Duncan lifted his gaze to Zinnia, his shrug conveyi
Sir Logan understood Lady Zelda's reservations and nodded in agreement, realizing the delicate nature of the situation. They both took their seats, deciding to proceed with caution and not confront Duncan directly about the missing diary. Unbeknownst to them, Babette had overheard their whispered conversation. As she continued organizing the important files, she pretended not to have heard anything, maintaining her composed demeanor. However, concern flickered in her eyes as she stole glances at Sir Logan and Lady Zelda. Duncan walked down the lit hallway, the flickering candlelight casting eerie shadows on the ornate tapestries that adorned the walls. The air was heavy with a sense of secrecy as he made his way towards Lady Zelda's room. The polished wooden floors creaked softly beneath his cautious footsteps, betraying his presence in the otherwise silent corridor. As he approached Lady Zelda's room, a house servant passed him, bowing his head respectfully in acknowledgmen
As Babette got into her car and drove off, Karla approached Duncan, her curiosity piqued. "So, she helped you dispel any suspicions that might arise later on? That was kind of her."Duncan paused for a moment, his gaze following Babette's departing car. "Hmm," he murmured, his expression inscrutable. "You should go home now and get some rest."Karla regarded him intently. "And what about you? Where are you headed?" Duncan's eyes met Karla's, and there was a flicker of determination in his gaze. As his mind traced back to the moment he had read his father's diary, a mixture of emotions surged within him. Determined to uncover the truth, his mind was now consumed by the urgency of his mission. Reluctantly, Duncan's voice took on a resolute tone, his expression hardening like steel. "I'm going somewhere important," he declared, his words laced with determination. "I want to start carrying out my father's wish." Karla, taken aback by Duncan's sudden shift in demeanor, furrowed he