Chapter 71 The Confrontation
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Harris glanced at Vincent, who sat in stoic silence, then turned his attention back to Daniel. “Vanessa misses Scarlett terribly. She’s been craving Scarlett’s cooking. Vincent has spent the entire day searching for Scarlett-he’s nearly at his wits’ end.”
Daniel began to feel a distinct unease settle in the pit of his stomach. He frowned and looked directly at Vincent, who met his gaze with an unreadable expression.
The two men stared at one another. Vincent’s eyes were like chips of ice, and the sheer coldness in them made Daniel’s composure crack. He stammered, “You… you haven’t been able to reach her?”
Vincent didn’t answer the question. Instead, he kept his piercing gaze locked on Daniel. “Where did that video come from?” he asked.
His tone was deceptively level, but the question alone was enough to make Daniel’s panic surge. He bowed his head in a gesture of contrition. “It was me,” he confessed hurriedly. “I was the one who instructed Killian to transfer her to a rural post. But Vincent, I did it for your sake! I just couldn’t stand the sight of her getting so familiar with other men behind your back.”
Vincent’s expression remained impassive, giving nothing away. “Which specific town is she in?”
Daniel replied, “You’ll have to ask Killian for the exact location. He was the one who handled the arrangements.”
Vincent’s voice held a new edge of command. “Call him. Now.”
Daniel fumbled for his phone, his hands trembling noticeably as he dialed Killian’s number.
The moment he obtained the address, Vincent didn’t utter another word. He simply stood up and strode purposefully toward the door of the private room.
Anxious and feeling responsible, Daniel scrambled to his feet and followed. “Vincent, wait! Let me come with you.”
*****
After her shift ended, Scarlett walked down to the nearby river. It was autumn, but the summer’s stubborn heat still lingered in the air.
She felt a sudden urge to wade into the cool water, hoping it might soothe her troubled spirits.
The river was remarkably clear, with small fish darting playfully around her ankles. She spent a while casually trying to catch a few with her hands, allowing herself this simple, childish pleasure to momentarily
lift her mood.
Vincent had called her multiple times throughout the day, but she had no desire to speak with him. Her initial response had been to reject the calls immediately. Later, she had simply switched her phone to silent
mode.
The principle of “out of sight, out of mind” seemed to apply perfectly. The distance from her problems made her feel significantly lighter.
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Chapter 71 The Confrontation
She was halfway through her leisurely wading when Nolan appeared on the riverbank.
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The two of them spent time together by the water’s edge, talking and relaxing until well past eight in the evening. Just as they were preparing to leave, Nolan suddenly winced and sucked in a sharp breath. The water around his foot instantly clouded with a vivid crimson.
Scarlett rushed to his side, her voice filled with concern. “What happened?”
Nolan managed a pained grin. “Probably stepped on a piece of broken glass.”
Seeing him attempt to laugh it off despite the obvious injury, Scarlett didn’t press for details.
“Come with me to the hospital. I’ll clean and dress it properly,” she insisted.
As doctors, they both knew that even a seemingly minor wound could have serious complications if not treated correctly.
A tetanus shot was definitely a prudent precaution.
Nolan didn’t argue and readily agreed to her suggestion.
After his foot was properly treated at the small local hospital, Scarlett suggested Nolan come back to her temporary dorm first. She offered to cook a simple meal for him.
The town was very small, and decent dining options were scarce.
If one wanted a proper, homely meal, cooking for oneself was the only reliable way.
Nolan didn’t refuse her hospitality and accompanied her.
After they had eaten, Nolan mentioned he felt sticky and uncomfortable from the day’s heat and the river water. He asked if he could take a quick shower. Scarlett agreed without a second thought.
But Nolan had barely stepped into the small bathroom and closed the door when a firm knock sounded at
the front door.
Scarlett assumed it was one of her neighbors. During her ten days in the town, the local residents had proven exceptionally kind, often stopping by to share freshly picked vegetables from their gardens.
Without bothering to ask who it was, she went and opened the door.
However, the warm, welcoming smile instantly froze and then vanished from her face the moment she saw the figures standing on her doorstep.
“Vincent?” she blurted out, her voice flat with shock, though she managed to keep her surprise largely contained.
Vincent wasn’t alone. Daniel stood slightly behind him, his expression grim.
Before Vincent could utter a word, the bathroom door opened and Nolan emerged, his hair still damp from his shower, dressed in fresh, casual clothes.
Daniel took one look at him and immediately sneered at Scarlett. “Well, well! So we send you out here for a work assignment, and you just set up a cozy little love nest with your boyfriend? Scarlett, you’ve got some
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Chapter 71 The Confrontation
nerve. I never would have pegged you for this kind of woman.”
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