Chapter 63: Ungrateful
I was being honest. Time was also a cost, and rather than placing my hopes on Davina and Fletcher, I’d rather turn to Bradley.
But honesty often offended people.
Sure enough, as soon as I finished speaking, Davina’s smile froze at the corners of her mouth, and Fletcher, standing next to her, couldn’t help but let out a light sneer.
“We’re in the middle of a crisis, Ms. Grande, and yet you still have time to flirt around? Quite the mood you’re in.”
Though he was mocking me once again, I didn’t want to stir up trouble unnecessarily. I replied calmly, “Mr. Lynton, my personal matters are none of your concern.”
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With that, I turned to leave, but suddenly, Fletcher’s sharp voice reached my ears. “Charlene, what’s with your attitude?”
I paused for a moment, looked up at Fletcher, and then heard him say, “I gave you the opportunity, and you don’t even have the decency to thank me. What’s with this sour face?”
So my displeasure had been that obvious.
I glanced at Fletcher and then at Davina, who had lowered her head, tugging at Fletcher’s sleeve with a look of grievance. “It’s fine, Letch. I didn’t expect Charlene to thank me for what I did. Please don’t get angry at her.”
Hearing that, Fletcher’s anger seemed to subside a little, but the look he gave me was still as cold as ever.
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“You really are, he muttered, his lips barely moving, “ungrateful.”
With that, Fletcher led Davina away. As I watched their figures disappear from my sight, I finally opened my hand and let out a deep breath.
Bradley stood by the car, watching me with a puzzled expression. “Charlene, are you feeling okay? You look really pale.”
I forced a smile and said, “Maybe I’m just hungry.”
At the private room in Savory Haven, I pushed the steak toward Bradley and said, “Today, it’s on me. Just eat as much as you like.”
“Charlene, you really know how to take care
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of people” Bradley said, resting his chin on his hand and smiling at me with those charming eyes of his.
I was still preoccupied with Free Spirit, so I didn’t beat around the bush. “Actually, I invited you out today because I want to ask you about something.”
“Go ahead, Charlene, I’m all ears.”
With Bradley’s easygoing attitude, I decided to be straightforward. “You mentioned being a diehard Free Spirit fan, so do you know that he has a habit of going on field trips every year?”
Bradley nonchalantly stuffed a piece of steak into his mouth and casually replied, “Yeah, he’s well–known for being carefree. Every time he finishes a piece of work, he takes a few days off to travel. Why the
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sudden interest in this?”
I continued probing, “Do you know his travel preferences? Like, does he prefer to drive himself or take public transport? Does he like staying in hotels or B&Bs? The more details, the better.”
Bradley paused, setting his knife and fork down, his expression turning amused. “But I heard that Free Spirit has clearly refused to cooperate with you. Charlene, are you still not giving up?”
I reflected on my current situation and didn’t respond.
Giving up or pushing forward, neither decision was entirely in my hands.
Bradley saw that I wasn’t answering and sighed, offering a word of advice. “Charlene,
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listen to me. Free Spirit is stubborn and obstinate. Once he’s rejected you, he won’t change his mind. You might as well move on.”
I fixed my gaze on Bradley, still silent.
But what kept running through my mind was Kaitlyn’s question.
Why had Free Spirit been so decisive in rejecting us, despite us having no direct contact with him?
Unless… unless he had heard something from certain people.
Of course, there was another possibility.
Bradley raised an eyebrow. “What possibility?”
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Chapter os Ungrateful
5 Points
I shifted my focus back to him, calmly replying, “It’s strange. Free Spirit’s sources of information are impressively wide–reaching. Don’t you think that’s a bit unbelievable?”
Bradley looked at me, his bright, charming eyes flashing with surprise. “Charlene, you’re not suspecting… that I’m Free Spirit, are you?”
I didn’t deny the possibility.
Bradley sighed dramatically, rubbing his forehead. “Charlene, you really know how to flatter me. Fine, fine. Since you’re so pretty and gracious, I’ll give you a couple of pieces of free information.”
Bradley told me that Free Spirit had a go–to B&B in the southern part of Mezeth that he frequented during his travels. It was called Lucky B&B.
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If only I were that lucky on this trip.
I exhaled with relief. At least this wasn’t a total waste of time.
I quickly found the address online. To my surprise, it was a secluded rainforest cottage nestled among mountains and trees. The place wasn’t large, but its unique style made it very popular with visitors.
It was so popular that reservations had to be made months in advance.
There was no chance I could just walk in and check in right away, so I dragged my luggage to an economy hotel diagonally across from Lucky B&B.
I’d wait for my chance.
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Another piece of information I’d gotten from Bradley was that Free Spirit was also an avid mountaineer.
Thanks to Kaitlyn, I had spent the last couple of years getting to know various outdoor brands. Given Free Spirit’s status, he certainly wouldn’t settle for subpar equipment.
And someone who frequently engaged in physical activities would leave traces in terms of their physical condition.
I was starting to get some leads.
The next morning, I arrived at the café in front of Lucky B&B as planned. After ordering a simple meal, I sat by the window, patiently waiting.
What I didn’t expect, however, was that it
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wasn’t long before my gaze was caught by the familiar sight of a Maybach.
It was identical to Fletcher’s car.
I paused for a moment, and then, in the blink of an eye, I saw Duke swiftly making his way to the trunk, beginning to unload the luggage.
Just as the rear door opened, I froze when I saw a long, sleek leg stepping out of the car. It was Fletcher.
He was wearing a deep grey herringbone cashmere suit, paired with a black turtleneck sweater and matching vest. He looked both elegant and composed, restrained yet stable. In the soft morning light, his presence was simply captivating.
Even the café staff couldn’t help but peek
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hapter Ga. Ungrateful
their heads out, staring at him with wide
eyes.
At that moment, the manager of Lucky B&B approached at just the right moment, taking the car keys from Duke’s hand and politely saying, “Mr. Lynton, your room has been prepared. Ms. Connery specifically arranged the best mountain suite for you.”
The flattery in his tone was unmistakable.
Fletcher didn’t react, merely glancing at the mountain stream in the distance, nodding slightly. “Thank you.”
After saying that, he walked toward the main entrance of Lucky B&B without looking back, his long legs effortlessly carrying him forward.
For a moment, I felt as if I were in a dream.
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It took me a while to realize one thing- Fletcher had truly come here, and he had checked into the very Lucky B&B I could never book a room at.
But why? He had already pushed the Free Spirit problem onto me–why was he here now?
Could it be a coincidence?
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