Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 568

“I hope I can be like you and fight for my own happiness too. Sorry, I got carried away and said a lot. I hope I’m not boring you.”

Larissa smiled. “Not at all. I know someone who’s a lot like you, she loves to talk to me too. Maybe I’m just a natural listener.”

That person was Avril Palmer. Even though Torrin hadn’t contacted her in a long time, Avril still sent her messages every night, sharing stories from her day. By now, Larissa truly saw Avril as her real sister.

“I hope one day we can meet and talk openly like this.”

“We will.”

After hanging up, Larissa considered calling Haskell but decided against it. She wanted to confirm the link between Trudy and the trafficker before telling him, to avoid getting his hopes up over a coincidence.

…

Despite the new lead, Haskell didn’t let it distract him. He delegated the investigation to Crispin and continued to manage his work with his usual precision. Worrying was useless. Only by securing his position as the heir to the Palmer family could he protect his brother in the future.

It wasn't until after dinner, during his customary game of chess with Zoltan in the study, that he received a call from Crispin with an update.

“Sir, the trafficker died twenty-two years ago. She had one daughter who disappeared after her death.”

Haskell remained calm. Crispin wouldn’t have called with such trivial, useless information.

“Yes,” Haskell replied without hiding anything. “I was asking for clues about my brother.”

“Did you find any?”

“I did. Crispin is investigating and has found a lead.”

Zoltan was silent for a moment before advising, “Find your brother as soon as possible, and don’t let anyone else know. You can’t let him become a liability, especially not to the Lincoln family. That Lucius boy is always watching you. If he finds out the Draven you had before wasn’t your real brother, he’ll stop at nothing to find him first and use him against you.”

“I know, Grandpa,” Haskell said calmly. “Even if Lucius finds him before I do, I will never let him threaten the Palmer family.”