bChapter /bb234 /b

Jade’s POV:

The dinner tes had been cleared, leaving behind only the lingering scent of saffron and herb–roastedmb in Lawrence’s opulent dining room. I traced my fingers along the edge of the crystal water ssb, /bfocusing on the cool, smooth texture to ground myself in this endless darkness.

“I’m afraid I have some disappointing news,” Lawrence said, his voiceing from across bthe /btable. “Those materials you requested proved remarkably difficult to source. I’ve only managed to find two of the specialpounds and the injection solution in Spain. Would it be possible to wait? bI /bcan have people transport additional materials from

overseasb./bb” /b

“Don’t bother with all that trouble,” I replied, reaching for the new phone I’d been given. My old one had been damaged beyond repair during the fight, and I’d only managed to salvage the SIM card. “Help me make a bcall/b. I’ve only got the SIM transferred, not my contacts.”

Lawrence reached over–I could sense his movement through the subtle shift in air currents–and took the phone.

“What’s the number?”

bI /brecited Ethan’s number from memory, feeling Lawrence’s curious gaze as he dialed and handed the phone back to ollime. /li/ol

“I’ll give you some privacy,” he said, footsteps retreating across the hardwood floor.

After two rings, Ethan picked up. “Hello?”

“It’s me. I need your help,” I said without preamble.

“Jade?” His voice sharpened with concern. “Where are you? What happened?”

I exined what I needed–specificpounds that Walter Morrison would have ess to. Ethan’s voice grew serious as he took notes, promising to bring everything as quickly as possible.

After hanging up, I stood carefully from the table, immediately feeling a warm presence against my leg. Zach, the Doberman serving as my guide dog, pressed gently against me, guiding me through the unfamiliar space.

Despite having heightened senses, navigating blind through Lawrence’s mansion remained challenging. The ce was a maze of expensive furniture, unexpected steps, and delicate objects that seemed perfectly positioned to trip the visually impaired. Frustration simmered beneath my calm exterior–I hated being vulnerable, even temporarily.

“Good boy,” I murmured to Zach, letting my fingertips brush over his sleek head. The dog responded with a soft sound, continuing to guide me through the vast living space.

The following morningb, /bI sat in the breakfast nook, the scent of fresh coffee and buttered toast filling the air. Zachy dutifully at my feetb, /basionally shifting when Lawrence moved around the kitchen.

b‘/bbYou /bbknow/b,” Lawrence bbegan /bbconversationally/b, b“/bbthat /bbpurple /bamethyst you stored at Crystal Vault was quite remarkable. Did you gift it to someone?”

b“/bbYes/bb, /bbI /bbanswered /bsimply.

b“/bbYou /bpreviously mentioned being too busy and returned bCrystal /bVault’s management to me,” he continued, the subtle bclink /bof his coffee cup against the saucer punctuating bhis /bwords. “Are you less busy now? Would you like Crystal Vault back?”

I shook my head. ‘I don’t take back gifts. Besides, I hate managing those kinds bof /boperations. Taking a percentage of shares and collecting dividends is much simpler.”

b“/bWhy do I sense thatst part was a hint?” Lawrence’s voice carried a smile. “It makes your first statement seem rather insincere.”

Iughed softly. “Does it?” No sense leaving money and power on the table.

“I’m happy to continue managing Crystal Vault for you,” Lawrence offered. “You can simply collect the profits.”

“That arrangement sounds perfect.”

I heard the scrape of his chair as he stood. “I need to step out for a while. I’ll try to return before your friend

arrives.”

Before I could protest, something warm and heavynded in myp–his cat. “Would you mind watching over her while I’m gone?”

The cat weighed a ton, and I was already blind and struggling to navigate. “She can follow us on her own,” I suggested, gently setting the cat on the floor.

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