“Time to get down to business,” she dered, though a mischievous glint danced in her eyes.


    Lucinda, ever the voice of reason, yfully nudged his shoulder.


    But Nathan held her close, dering, “Once this is all settled, we’ll embark on that journey we’ve dreamed of, with Hilliard and Jennifer.


    ”


    Lucinda smiled, her eyes alight with anticipation.


    “Traveling with Hilliard will indeed be an adventure to remember.


    ”


    After a brief conversation with Lucinda, Nathan made his way to the interrogation room.


    Larry had been waiting by the door for quite some time.


    The door swung open, revealing the stark interrogation table in the center of the room.


    Jeff sat there obediently, refraining from even smoking a cigarette.


    As Nathan entered, Jeff instinctively tried to rise, but the officers on either side restrained him firmly, forcing him back down.


    “Nathan, I was on my business trip out of town.


    Why the sudden recall?” Jeff asked, clearly puzzled.


    Nathan’s eyes darkened, and he remained silent.


    His heavy boots resounded as he approached, taking a seat a few meters away from Jeff.


    With a deliberate slowness, he spoke.


    “Jeff, if it was just a business trip, why were you living like a recluse? Staying in a run-of-the-mill hotel and subsisting on cheap instant noodles? You’ve been hiding from me.


    ”


    Though his voice carried an air of depth and steadiness, his imposing presence couldn’t be ignored.


    Jeff’s face momentarily stiffened, but he quickly stered on an amiable smile.


    “What are you talking about? Why would I hide from you? I was on a business trip in Yulford.


    Unfortunately, I lost my ID and wallet, so I had to borrow some money from an old friend and tighten my belt a bit.


    ”


    Nathan didn’t waste time beating around the bush and cast a nce at Larry beside him.


    Larry nodded, issuing instructions to the officers to handcuff Jeff’s hands to the interrogation table.


    With that done, he left the room along with the other officers.


    The heavy door shut, leaving only the two of them in the vast room.


    Nathan rose from his seat, his dark eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Jeff from above.


    Jeff felt the weight of Nathan’s menacing aura and froze in ce.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Having known Nathan for so long without ever being at odds with him, Jeff had always considered him a friendly figure to himself and his family.


    Nathan never made their lives difficult and had even offered secret assistance on asion.


    Since Nathan took over as the head of the Payne family, Jeff’s family had enjoyed a morefortable existence than during Norton’s reign.


    “Nathan, you…”