Chapter 861:
Baldrick, emerging from the coffee room, also peered at Harlee worriedly.
He had dispatched several of his people to scour the area beneath the cliff, but reports suggested that Rhys could have been carried off by the river.
Sensing their concerned looks, Harlee didnât raise her eyes from her phone.
âDonât worry about me. Iâm okay.â
Albin took a deep breath, his eyes pleading as he glanced at Tonya. It seemed clear to him that Harlee was anything but okay.
Normally chatty, Tonya found herself at a loss for words now. She understood Harlee was trying to reassure them by claiming she was okay, even though she was likely more devastated by Rhysâ incident than anyone else.
Baldrick pocketed his phone, took in Tonya and Albinâs troubled faces and Harleeâs stoic demeanor, and then sat down as if nothing had happened.
Baldrick spoke up, steering the conversation elsewhere.
âBettie knew youâd be here today, so she insisted on going grocery shopping herself. Sheâs in the kitchen now, cooking for you.â
Albin, who had just been kicked out by Bettie Robinson, his mother, excitedly raised his hand.
âMy mom said sheâs preparing dishes that Harlee and Tonya will love!â Harlee stowed her phone and looked up.
âIâm going to see her.â
Tonyaâs eyes lit up, and a small smile crossed her face.
Baldrick always knew how to manage these situations well.
Your new favorite stories are at gαâηÏνððsâ¤com
Tonya exclaimed, âHarlee, wait for me! Iâm coming to the kitchen too.â
Hearing this, Harlee quickened her steps.
âNo, youâll just end up competing with me to be the taste-testerâ¦â They departed one after another, leaving Baldrick and Albin to watch them leave.
Once Harlee and Tonya were in the kitchen, Albin leaned in to whisper to Baldrick, âDad, is Harlee really alright?â
Baldrick pulled on Albinâs ear.
âKids like you shouldnât ask so many questions! And never bring up Rhysâ incident in front of Harlee again, got it?â
Albin rolled his eyes.
At twenty, he hardly considered himself a kid. If he was still a child, then surely there were no adults around.
Despite his internal complaints, he nodded.
âUnderstood.â
Meanwhile, in a secure facility, cell 404, Hale sat brooding, his gaze fixed on the false news Aldrich had intentionally spread. It was a report of the joyous wedding of Harlee and Rhys, just as promised.
Aldrich casually stood outside the glass window, munching on chips. This degree of resentment from Hale wasnât sufficient.
He needed Hale to descend into madness, which would enable him to advance to the next phase.
Aldrich clapped his hands and changed the channel, where the praise for the loving couple, Harlee and Rhys, became even more vivid and intense.
.
.
.