?Chapter 230:


    But Alex wasn’t fooled. He saw right through her brave facade, his concern only intensifying.


    Sadie knew she couldn’t bear to add to his worries, so she deftly shifted the conversation. “What brings you here?”


    “I was just passing by,” Alex replied, though his attention remained fixed on her. “How’s Averi? Did you run into someone?” His tone held a mixture of curiosity and unease.


    Sadie averted her eyes, falling silent, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them.


    Alex watched her closely, torn between pressing for answers and respecting her silence.


    He sensed she was withholding something crucial, yet he chose not to pry.


    After all, he had witnessed her encounter with K, and the pieces were slowlying together in his mind.


    Sadie adjusted her coat with a sharp tug, turning on her heel to leave. Just then, Alex’s voice pierced the chilly air. “Sadie!” he called, desperation tinting his tone.


    She paused mid-stride, her back to him, the tension in her posture palpable.


    “No matter what happens, I’ll always be by your side.” His words hung heavy between them.


    For a fleeting moment, Sadie’s resolve wavered, her shoulders tensing further under the weight of his promise.


    She recognized his feelings all too well, but she couldn’t let herself feel the same.


    Her mind was consumed with the safety of Averi; there was simply no room left for her own desires.


    With silent resolve, she continued forward, her silhouette gradually fading as she vanished behind the corner.


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    Alex’s gaze lingered on her fading silhouette, emotions twisting inside him.


    He took a deep breath to steady himself before pushing open the cafe’s ss door.


    Inside, K’s eyes sparkled with unspoken understanding as she caught sight of him. A sly smile yed at the corners of her lips.


    “Mr. Howe, what brings you here? Looking for Sadie?” she teased, her voice dripping with curiosity. “Unfortunately, she just left. Why do you care so much about Sadie?”


    Alex sat across from her, his gaze sharp as he cut straight to the chase. “What did you say to her?” he demanded, his tone firm.


    K gently set down her coffee spoon, the metallic clink echoing sharply in the hushed atmosphere of the cafe.


    She arched an eyebrow, her voiceced with a mix of amusement and challenge. “What’s this, Mr. Howe? Are you interrogating me now?”


    Alex leaned forward, his brow creased with concern. “What exactly did you say to her to make her that upset?”


    A light, almost mockingugh escaped K. “Oh, Mr. Howe, aren’t you the smart one? Can’t you see? I’m actually doing you a favor.”


    Alex furrowed his brows even deeper, confusion and suspicion mingling in his eyes. “What do you mean by that?”


    K’s smirk widened. “You really think I’m oblivious to how you feel about Sadie?”


    Alex’s face showed a fleeting mix of surprise and resignation that he didn’t bother to hide.


    K noted his reaction with a glint of triumph in her eyes. “All I’m doing is showing her how things really are—getting her to walk away from Noah. When she finally does, won’t that clear the path for you?”


    Alex’s grip on the table tightened, his knuckles whitening as a storm brewed within him.


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