Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 496

Tatiana had always felt that her height of 170 cm was respectable, but standing next to Annie, she suddenly felt quite petite.

Having seen with her own eyes that Norman and Tammy were safe, her urgency had faded. There was no need to pick a fight with a dangerous stranger and cause a scene here. Of course, she would never admit that she was genuinely curious about the split second of visible discomfort on Jasper’s face.

The group departed together. As they left, Tammy seemed to sense something; she spun around abruptly to look behind her. But she saw nothing. She turned back, feeling a strange, hollow sensation in her chest.

At four in the morning, the world was silent.

Norman gently moved Tammy’s arm from his waist. She let out a soft mumble and rolled over but didn’t wake. Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, outlining her soft features in sleep. Norman held his breath, rising with extreme caution, terrified of disturbing her dreams.

He dressed quietly and took one last look at the sleeping Tammy before turning to leave.

Twenty minutes later, Norman pushed open the door of a twenty–four–hour diner. In a corner booth, a grey–haired man sat alone, sipping tea. James looked like any ordinary retiree, but Norman knew what lay behind those calm eyes.

Norman sat down across from him. James smiled. “You came after all.”

Norman lowered his voice. “I told you not to call me that I don’t remember you, and you might not even be looking for the right person.”

“You have amnesia, but we do not.”

Norman fell silent.

James sighed and pulled an envelope from his jacket, sliding it across the table. “Your grandfather is gravely ill. The doctors say he has three months at most.”

Norman stared at the envelope without reaching for it. I don’t remember him.”

“Blood ties cannot be severed, James said softly. “You are the sole heir. The family needs you.”

Norman’s fingers idly tapped the tabletop–a subconscious habit whenever he was deep in thought. “Someone is following me. Do you know who?”

He wasn’t stupid. Recently, too many strange people had appeared around him and Flowie. This man, the person who had confronted Flowie and called her Tammy, and the strikingly handsome couple who had appeared in the stands lately–he was aware of them all. That was why he felt such a sense of urgency.

“Perhaps they are enemies,” James offered conservatively, adding, “Our family… has quite a few enemies.”

Norman clenched his fists. Enemies. If that were true, his peaceful life with Flowie wouldn’t last much longer.

He had no idea that the old fox across from him was a veteran of deception who could lie without so much as a twitch of an eyebrow. In reality, no enemies had caught up to them; those rivals were still focused on the decoys the family had put out elsewhere. No one expected him to be in Bellwood.

However, to hasten Norman’s return, a few “white lies” were necessary,

RC LIC

Finished

“I know you are very fond of your wife,” James continued.

Norman’s gaze turned sharp, instantly radiating a murderous intent.

James quickly added, “I have no ulterior motives. I sincerely hope you marry and have children soon; your wife is exceptional.”

Truth be told, the old Norman–perhaps influenced by the poor examples in the family–had no stability. He had many women, but none stayed, and he refused to leave an heir. Seeing that he had found someone he truly loved after losing his memory was a cause for celebration.

“Stay away from her.”

“Rest assured, we won’t touch her. But I cannot guarantee the safety of your enemies. She is your weakness.”

That sentence struck Norman’s Achilles‘ heel. He couldn’t let Flowie get hurt. To protect someone, one needed the power to do so.

Sensing he had made his point, James handed over a business card. “Contact me whenever you change your mind.”

This time, Norman didn’t throw the card away. He tucked it into his pocket and stood to leave. James watched him go, satisfied. He was certain Norman would choose to return.

Tatiana leaned back on the sofa, studying the person across from her. Still towering, still heavily made–up, and smelling strongly of perfume.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Annie asked.

Tatiana withdrew her gaze. “Why did you want to see me?”

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