Chapter 190

Kathy eyed us suspiciously. "What are you two whispering about? What's going on?"

Ignoring my warning look, Savannah blurted out, "Caroline turned down Mr. Castillo."

"What?" Kathy's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "Caroline, are you nuts? Do you know how many women would kill for a shot with Royce, and you turned him down?"

"Have you lost your mind hanging out with Brandon too much?"

I sighed, knowing I couldn't stop Kathy.

"Royce and I are from different worlds now. I'm a mom with three kids. Why would I drag Royce down?"

"Royce probably doesn't even like me anymore. He's just sticking around out of a sense of duty. If I reject him, it saves him the trouble and spares his pride. Why not do him that favor?"

"You're crazy, Caroline. Royce genuinely likes you. How could that be fake?"

"Come on, even an average guy would think twice about dating a woman with three kids. Let alone someone as exceptional as Royce."

Feeling a bit down, I said, "Please, stop trying to convince me. Royce and I are from different worlds. We're just not right for each other, and I can't hold him back."

Kathy slammed the table and stood up, "Where's your confidence, Caroline? No matter what, believe me, you deserve any man in the world. You are more than enough."

"Has Brandon's manipulation gotten to you? What are you thinking?"

"Royce is a rare gem. If you miss this chance, you'll regret it. Are you really willing to let someone else have him?"

I took a sip of my coffee, listening to their words.

They were all trying to persuade me, looking disappointed.

But I couldn't take in a word they said. I knew better than anyone how great Royce was.

But how could I burden him with three kids?

They talked until their mouths were dry, finally sighing and taking a sip of coffee. "Fine, we won't try to convince you anymore, but you'll regret this, Caroline."

"What you lack most right now is confidence. You should believe that you deserve any man in the world, and no man is good enough for you. That's the mindset you need."

Savannah nodded in agreement. "Exactly, Kathy's right."

I sighed helplessly. "Can we stop talking about this? I'm already stressed out."

They exchanged glances and fell silent.

They meant well, trying to stop me from missing out on Royce, but they also understood my insecurities and helplessness.

"Alright, let's change the subject. What do you want to eat? It's on me."

I shook my head. "I'm not hungry. I just had a meal."

"Okay, but don't be so down. If you choose to miss out on Royce, why are you so upset? Deep down, you still like him."

Of course, I liked Royce.

He was my first love. Even though I married Brandon and tried to forget him, my heart still raced when I saw him again.

But our story had to end here. There was no future for us.

Just then, Simon called. "Caroline, Earl went to the airport with Paula, but they just circled around and came back. I don't know if they noticed our surveillance, so they returned."

"And they didn't seem like they were planning to leave. They had no luggage."

"For Earl, the smaller the target, the safer. He might just take money and buy what he needs at his destination."

Simon sounded puzzled. "It didn't look like they were trying to leave. They seemed to be just strolling around the airport. As soon as our people spotted them, they got into a black car and left, like they were prepared."

"If they were escaping, they wouldn't have a black car waiting nearby. And we've lost track of that car."

"So, it looks like they might show up at Karen's funeral. You should thoroughly check the funeral."

"Yes, that's our last chance to catch Earl."

I hung up the phone, and Kathy couldn't help but sigh.

"How are you still tangled up with the Jordan family after the divorce? They're such a pain."

I nodded in agreement. "You're right. They're a bunch of jerks. They even asked me for money today."

Kathy's eyes widened. "What happened? Why didn't you tell me?"

I recounted how Irene had asked me for money this morning. Kathy frowned, looking disgusted.

"Being married to someone like that is like being in prison. It's infuriating that she's asking you for money after bankrupting your company. You should sue her and make her pay your salary."

I chuckled. "Don't worry, it's not the right time yet. I'll deal with Irene eventually. I'm still gathering evidence with Asher's help. Once I have proof that she transferred company funds to her personal account, she won't be able to escape."

After talking with Kathy, Savannah and I went home, while Kathy returned to her studio.

Then I noticed Savannah sneaking around, chatting with someone. I raised an eyebrow. "Are you talking to Kirk? I didn't realize you two were getting so close."

Savannah looked a bit guilty and nodded. "Yeah, I'm chatting with Kirk. Why?"

I immediately sensed something was off. If she was chatting with Kirk, she wouldn't look like this.

"Who are you really talking to? Let me see."

Savannah tried to hide her phone, but I sternly said, "Don't move. Let me see."

She froze, hiding her phone behind her back.

I stepped forward and grabbed her phone. When I looked at the screen, I saw it was Royce's chat window, but the messages had been deleted.