Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)
Chapter 174

Addrion glanced at me with caution in his eyes. "So, your plan absolutely must be feasible. There can't be a single hitch!"

"Everything's set! We just need to wait till those foreigners validate the company's credentials tomorrow, and we'll know the result," I said confidently. "All these requirements are typical of those international consortiums that want to cooperate with us. It's just a bit more demanding this time. Even if it hurts Jaylan's pocket, he'll never suspect a thing."

Addrion chuckled at me. "There's the iron lady Aaliyah that I know."

"Well, how should I put it? After nearly losing my life to schemes, I've learned that people are unpredictable!" I sighed.

"Let's talk about something else," Ronan steered the conversation away from the heavy topic.

"Like what? How you dared to leave without a word?" Addrion retorted scornfully. "Or, what else is there to talk about? Everything's stuck in the past, twelve years ago."

I remained silent.

The prolonged silence made Ronan uncomfortable. He cleared his throat to try to say something but found himself at a loss for words.

"One word from you has taken away all my rights, Ronan. You're the person I hate the most," Addrion continued, bitterness clear in his voice. "If it weren't for that note you left, she wouldn't have ended up in Jaylan's hands, and we wouldn't be in this mess."

I looked at Addrion, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Don't listen to his bullshit. He's just bitter because he isn't charming!" Ronan quickly cut in.

"Excuse me? Not charming? How dare you say so? It's just I respected the bro code... Never mind." Addrion suddenly looked defeated.

I glanced at them, finally realizing they were talking about me. It seemed there was more to the note Ronan left all those years ago.

I decided it was best not to ask.

Addrion suddenly looked up at me, asking, "What will you do after you deal with Jaylan?"

I blinked, taken aback. Honestly, I hadn't thought about it. However, I clearly saw Ronan clench his fists.

"What else is there to do? I'll live a good life with my kids," I said casually.

Ronan's clenched fists relaxed, but he didn't look up.

I laughed, a hint of self-mockery in my voice. For some reason, hearing Ronan's question made me want to pay more attention to him.

I quickly changed the subject. "Have you contacted your wife since you returned?"

Addrion got married after I had my son, Probert. His wife, Tatyanna, was a gentle and quiet woman. They had a beautiful daughter a year later, who was older than my son, Carl.

Before I fell ill, we used to keep in touch occasionally. But when I was desperately searching for Addrion, I couldn't reach her. She must have changed her number.

Addrion shook his head with his face filled with sorrow. "I haven't told them yet. In their minds, I must have died a long time ago. It's better if they don't know."

"How long are you going to keep them in the dark?" I asked, confused.

"I can't show myself yet. A person mysteriously disappearing from the camp can't be easily brushed off, especially when that person is me. They have detailed files on everyone who enters, like a death camp. Once you're in, there's no getting out alive. I'm just an exception."

Addrion's words sounded alarmist, and I looked at him incredulously.

He insisted. "Don't take it lightly. I bet Jerome has received orders. After all, he was the one who sent me there in the first place!"

Ronan nodded in agreement, confirming what Addrion said was true. "We suspect they have backers domestically. One reason they didn't push Addrion too hard for his family details was that they didn't expect him to survive. There's another reason."