Winston merely raised his hand to tousle Alessandra’s hair but didn’t acquiesce to her request.


    “Wait for me here.


    ”


    “Winston?” Alessandra was stunned that Winston had rejected her request.


    “I’m sorry.


    I have other things to take care of with Miss Moore.


    I’ll take you out when I’m free, I promise,” Winston said, his voice firm and serious.


    Alessandra pursed her lips, a look of reluctant eptance on her face.


    “Free?” she repeated, her voice tinged with doubt.


    “And when exactly will you be free? You seldom visited Jade Paradise before, and now that I finally have the chance to be with you, you’re pushing me aside! You’re always too busy to make time for me!”


    Feeling the weight of the debt he owed her, Winston lowered his eyes and spoke in a resigned tone.


    “When I return this time, I’ll ask Miss Moore for time off and spend some quality time with you.


    Is that okay?”


    Her eyes widened, her face lighting up with surprise.


    “Really?” she breathed, hardly daring to believe what she’d just heard.


    “Yes.


    ”


    “Okay, then!” Alessandra’s smile broke through her earlier shock.


    “You’d better go now, Winston,” she said, the happiness evident in her voice.


    “I’ll be waiting.


    ”


    Bang!


    Winston slipped into the car and the door closed behind him with a solid thunk.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    As the engine purred to life, the car pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street.


    “Miss Moore…


    Settling back into the seat, Winston paused for a moment before turning to her.


    “I have a request,” he said, his voice sounding small in the quiet of the car.


    Hannah, who’d been absorbed in thetest information on the Dark Web, looked up from her phone and met Winston’s gaze.


    “What’s on your mind?”


    “Since my sister was rescued, she’s been suffering from severe separation anxiety.


    Once this case is closed, I’d like to request some time off to spend with her, maybe take her out for some fresh air and a change of scenery.


    ”


    Hannah turned off her screen and arched an eyebrow.


    “Okay, you don’t have to wait until this is over.


    I’ll give you the time off when we get back tonight.


    Go home and be with you sister.


    I hope one month will be enough.


    ”


    “Wow, you’re being so generous, Miss Moore.


    Thank you so much,”


    Winston said, his voice full of gratitude.


    “You’re wee.


    ” Hannah’s gaze lingered on the back of his head as she spoke, her voice devoid of emotion.


    Her eyes dropped back to her phone, and she swiped through the messages on the Dark Web without uttering another word.


    The car made its way down a road that Hannah was unfamiliar with, the vehicle bumping along the uneven pavement.


    Dotson, the driver, nced at a map on his phone and announced, “We’re here, boss.


    ”


    A vi nestled among the trees in the midst of the wild forest, its stone walls and nted roof a stark contrast to the natural beauty around it.


    The autumn leaves swirled in the wind, their bright colors scattered like confetti.