Sorry Too Late (by J.J. Twelve) novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49 Gracefully Cornered

This wasn’t a hint at all—she was practically spelling it out for him.

However, Evan pretended not to notice. He had never agreed to the so–called favor Aria kept talking about; that was something she had brought up on her own.

Aria, on the other hand, was starting to panic. ‘I’m practically waving a neon sign here! How is Mr. Norwood still not reacting?‘

“What’s with the eyebrow gymnastics?” Tyson watched her expression shift and couldn’t help asking.

“Huh? Nothing…” Aria snapped her gaze away and dropped her head. Evan had basically turned her down.

The rejection stung. Soon, frustration crept in under the guise of disappointment. ‘I’m the unit’s beauty–my looks and figure are both top–tier. How could Mr. Norwood not be interested? He doesn’t have to dismiss me if he already has Ms. Santon, does he?‘

Aria thought about it again and decided the problem lay in her first impression. ‘I was a complete mess v first saw each other. The Iron Dragon was dying, my attitude toward Mr. Norwood was awful, and then threatened him with my knives… Who’d be interested in a woman like that? Ugh!‘

Regret hit her hard. She never should’ve acted that way.

She even caught herself thinking, ‘Maybe I really should fix my temper… act a little more ladylike…‘

“Mr. Norwood, what’s your decision?” Victor and the others pushed in the face of Evan’s silence.

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Evan’s frown deepened. He genuinely wasn’t good at dealing with situations like this. Hazel had been the face of their unit back when he was the Solberg family’s adopted son. Meanwhile, all he had to do was bury his head in his work and give them something to peddle.

“If I may…”

A pleasant voice chimed in, and everyone looked toward Ivana.

“Mr. Norwood doesn’t intend to leave Silverton for now, yes?”

Evan couldn’t help but let out a breath of relief and shoot Ivana a grateful look when she stepped in for him. Ivana continued, “He still has unfinished business in Silverton. He won’t be leaving before those matters are resolved.”

If Sylvie could dig up that much, Ivana–the Queen of Finance–certainly could too.

He still owed Roxanne and Anya even after repaying Hazel with 100 blood transfusions. He would only be able to fully sever his ties with those women after refining a new life–saving drug for Roxanne and making Mr. Wells apologize to the Golden family.

After all, he had to make up for the three slaps Graham had suffered. Otherwise, they’d cling to him forever.

And beyond all that, one shadow remained lodged in his chest–Mr. Solomon. Three years ago, Solomon had nearly killed him. His own family had framed him and ruined his name. He had to uncover the truth behind that betrayal.

“But…” The four captains all looked disappointed.

“But don’t lose hope,” Ivana added, lifting their spirits again. “Mr. Norwood won’t be joining any of your units,

horum 49 Oro etuly Comered

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but he will be curing my father. You’re all soldiers he trained, which means you’re family. Mr. Norwood will help if any of you have landed in a bit of a pickle.

“Isn’t that right, Mr. Norwood?”

Then, she winked at him.

Evan’s expression twitched. ‘Did she actually help me dodge the problem… or just make it worse?‘

“Of course,” he said, managing a smile that looked more painful than cheerful.

Victor and the others lit up once more. Victor even pulled out an old, carved command badge from his belt.

Then, he said, “We can’t let Mr. Norwood work for free, can we? This is the Sky Titan Unit’s command badge. You’re one of us from now on, Mr. Norwood. You can command the entire Sky Titan Unit with this badge!”

Aria, Tyson, and Seth immediately followed suit–each ready to present their own badges.