Nevertheless, Lucinda didn’t venture far from the Payne family estate.


    She parked her car just around the corner, a short distance of less than five hundred meters down the street.


    She then took out her phone, scrolled through her contacts, and dialed Sonny’s number.


    After a few rings, someone picked up the phone promptly.


    Sonny’s voice carried a hint of surprise.


    “Lucinda, what a surprise to hear from you! I’m ttered.


    ”


    Lucinda was in a somber mood, not in the mood for yful banter with Sonny.


    She got straight to the point, saying, “I’m calling you today, but you mustn’t mention this to Nathan.


    ”


    “Huh?” Sonny seemed puzzled and asked, “Lucinda, why do you want to keep it from Nathan?”


    “Don’t inquire about it.


    Just remember, if you let it slip to Nathan before I’ve sorted things out, you can’t me me when he starts making things difficult for you.


    I’ll make sure he cuts your sry and bonus,” Lucinda replied.


    “Oh, please, Lucinda, don’t resort to that.


    If Nathan trusts you, then I do, too.


    Just tell me what you need,” Sonny said.


    Lucinda’s tone was solemn as she asked, “Can you discreetly assist me in obtaining a set of those heavy-duty handcuffs and ankle restraints used by the National Security Bureau?”


    There was a brief pause on Sonny’s side of the call, followed by his question.


    “Lucinda, heavy-duty handcuffs and ankle cuffs are typically reserved for serious criminal suspects.


    Who are you nning to restrain with them?”


    Lucinda sidestepped Sonny’s inquiry and repeated, “Let me ask you once more.


    Can you assist me in


    acquiring them?”


    “I can do that.


    It’s no problem.


    When do you need them, Lucinda?”


    Sonny inquired.


    “By the end of the workday today,” Lucinda replied promptly.


    *


    It was a cold night.N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    The cold wind brushed against Lucinda’s face, leaving her with a sense of icy confinement that mirrored her current state of mind.


    In days gone by, evenings were their cherished moments, exclusively reserved for Lucinda and Nathan.


    But nowadays, Lucinda dreaded the arrival of night, fearing that she might suddenly experience an episode of her illness.


    She returned to the N&L Fairy Land half an hour before her workday ended.


    The vi was enveloped in silence.


    Lucinda crept upstairs, gently opening the bedroom door to find Nathan asleep.


    She tiptoed, settling beside the bed, gazing at Nathan’s peaceful, handsome face in slumber.


    Nathan had been under significant stresstely, so it was unusual for him to sleep peacefully like this for an entire afternoon.


    Considering Nathan was still asleep, Lucinda figured she should prepare for the evening.