Chapter 172
172 Shifting Loyalties
172 Shifting Loyaltics
Byron could definitely relate.
“Yeah, she used to be impossible to pin down–here one minute, gone the next.
Humbert, however, looked even more pitiful. “At least you saw glimpses of her. I didn’t even get that. The first time we met, we barely exchanged a few words.”
But he had come to terms with it.
Alice was now Mrs. Nolan. As long as the Nolan Group existed, she wouldn’t be going anywhere.
“Anyway, I should head back,” Humbert said. The family he led might not be as powerful as the Nolans, but they’d carved out a solid foothold in Mapleford.
He planned to use those strengths to build a partnership with the Nolans.
Byron caught on to his intentions instantly, as if a whole new world had opened up in his mind.
“I’ve been wasting my life all these few years,” he muttered. “Turns out, Humbert’s sharper than I am .”
Kate nudged him with a smile.
“You’ve already got an ace up your sleeve.”
Byron chuckled under his breath. “Right–Ms. Quintana. She turned down Professor Clem’s invitation and still hasn’t picked a mentor. I’d been thinking about mentoring her myself, but now? I’m giving her projects too.”
Kate nodded approvingly. “See? You’re already miles ahead of Humbert.”
“You’re amazing, darling,” Byron said, the gears‘ in his head turning at full speed. With his confidence reignited, he was ready to take on the world again.
Just then, Les walked over. “Mr. Reese, we still haven’t found the person who played that video.”
He looked a little uneasy, but given his track record over the years, Byron took his words at face value. “Alright,” Byron said without hesitation, “you’ve done enough for today. Go get some rest.”
Les nodded and said, “If you don’t need me for anything else, I’ll need to leave and talk to someone.”
He needed to ask Linda if it had really been intentional.
Byron recalled today’s event and asked, “What’s this? Got yourself a girlfriend?”
Les chuckled sheepishly.
“Go on, then,” Byron said, waving him off.
He then walked away with his wife, arm in arm.
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172 Shifting Loyalties
After seeing them off, Les turned around.
From a distance, Damon had watched the whole scene. He had been hoping to catch Les alone, maybe to work out a deal or get a lead.
But Les didn’t even notice him. Instead, he crossed the street and headed straight for Linda.
She greeted him with a bright smile, clearly familiar with him.
Les stood unusually close to her, almost like a couple.
If Damon hadn’t known that his sister still had feelings for Eric, he would’ve assumed they were dating .
Alice’s words echoed in his head.
Linda really did seem to have a connection to Byron.
And a solid one.
But his brow furrowed.
When he’d asked Linda earlier, she hadn’t mentioned anything about Les.
Could it be she simply forgot?
He figured he’d remind her later and maybe grab dinner with Les–see if there was still hope.
Before long, Les had gone off to do something, leaving Linda alone.
Damon walked over.
“Linda.”
She was still reeling from Les’s earlier questions and jumped. “Huh? Damon? ”
She took a deep breath, quickly putting on a cheerful face.
“Damon, this is great! I think Alice will definitely be able to clear things up with Mr. Reese. Mr. Hawkin’s situation should be a lot better now.”
Damon frowned. “She turned me down.”
Linda’s expression froze.
“That can’t be right. Alice isn’t that cold.”
Damon didn’t want to argue about Alice. He changed the subject. “Linda, if you could help me–would you?”
“Damon, what are you saying? If I had a way to help you, I wouldn’t let you struggle like this,” she said quickly.
His heart lifted with hope. “Linda, I actually do need a favor.”
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172 Shifting Loyalties
She blinked , surprised.
“What is it?”
“Do you know anyone close to Mr. Reese?”
He went straight to the point.
To him, Linda had always bec
need for subtlety.
respectful and close with him. He didn’t think she’d lie, and there was no
Linda looked genuinely confused.
“How could I possibly know someone at that level?”
Damon didn’t believe his ears.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. Why would you think I do?” she asked.
“No reason. Just popped into my head.”
Linda figured he was still upset over Alice and just talking nonsense.
So, she didn’t take it seriously.
But Damon walked away, filled with disappointment.
Just as he turned the corner, someone grabbed his arm–Scott.
“Scott?” Damon was startled.
“Why are you hiding here? You scared the life out of me. I thought you were some mugger.”
Scott motioned for him to stay quiet and led him toward a nearby security room.
The guard at the door, apparently arranged by Scott, didn’t say a word. He simply nodded and s
outside to give them privacy.