“And what about you?” Bridger asked slowly after listening.
Mollie stubbornly raised her eyes, as if questioning him. “Have you ever schemed against me any less over the years?”
During their standoff, Callie’s whiskey was finished, and someone quickly refilled her glass, bringing her back to her senses. “Regan?” she exclaimed.
“You remember me.” Regan, with heavy makeup, looked like a fox in the dim light. “Bridger is trapped in his love relationships. Why are you getting involved?”
Seeing a familiar face, Callie relaxed. “Sorry, I’ve been busy lately and haven’t contacted you.”
Regan waved her hand. “It’s fine, I didn’t blame you. When you called me out in the middle of the night, I thought something had happened.”
“Where did you just come from?”
“The Ellison family has many social engagements. I’m the only one who can handle things right now, working around the clock.” Regan looked frustrated and took a swig from a bottle.
Callie drifted into thought. “The Ellison family… how are things now?”
“Don’t you know?” Regan instinctively replied, then quickly corrected herself. “… Just the usual, quite lively.”
Callie thought of Marilyn and Isaac’s identities and began to wonder how much Regan knew and whether she should tell her.
Before she could speak, Regan asked first, “What happened? Why are you out here in the middle of the night with Nelson…”
Callie pressed her lips together.
She had snuck out tonight. Paucaster Villa was heavily guarded, so she had changed into Nancy’s clothes and slipped out silently.
Nelson wanted to send her away; she couldn’t stay at Paucaster Villa any longer. But apart from Paucaster Villa, she couldn’t think of a better place to go. So she thought of a place of revelry, where chaos could numb her mind.
Regan understood. “I’ve heard about what happened recently. It’s not that I don’t want to help you, but I’m currently responsible for coordinating between the Ellison family and Oconnor Group. I understand that Nelson can’t withdraw completely now. Let’s go.”
She looked at Callie.
She also said to leave.
Callie felt lost. “Where to?”
“Out of town, abroad, anywhere but Ylosea.”
“I don’t want to.” Callie turned and picked up her glass again.
“Why?” Regan pressed, glancing in Mollie’s direction. “Bridger’s family is wealthy and powerful. Do you think she can make it to the end? We both know it’s a pipe dream. You’re different from her; you’ve already gotten what many people can never achieve in their lifetime. Cut your losses in time, Callie.”
“Regan.” Callie’s voice was calm but her gaze was firm. “I’m not a deserter.”
Regan opened her mouth but all words of advice stopped abruptly. She showed many emotions-regret, confusion, and a hint of anger.
In the dim light, Callie didn’t notice it all.
Meanwhile, at Paucaster Villa.
The man finished all his work and came out of the study. He took a few steps past the master bedroom, then stopped and went back to push open the door. The room was empty.
His already gloomy face turned icy. “Nancy!”
The middle-aged woman hurried over from the kitchen. “Mr. Oconnor.”
Nelson tilted his head slightly. “Where is she?”
Nancy’s face changed color. “I didn’t see her… I asked Madam to bring you some soup, but then I didn’t see her again. I thought she was in the study…”
The more she spoke, the lower her voice became.
Nelson’s face grew cold as he rubbed his prayer beads, nearly crushing them.
At the bar, Regan seemed unable to bear the passage of time any longer. “Missy, it’s about time. Come with me to the restroom, then I’ll take you back?”