“Of course,” Hannah responded, then rose to her feet.


    She addressed Bryson, “I need to handle something quickly.


    You all carry on without me.


    ”


    Just as she was about to leave, Bryson reached out and grasped her arm.


    ALL eyes in the room turned to them.


    Bryson remained seated but looked up earnestly at Hannah.


    “Can you not go?”


    Hannah nced over at Merlin, who was still waiting in the distance, then shook her head.


    “I’m afraid so.


    ”


    “Alright.


    ”


    Though his face remained impassive, Bryson tightened his hold on her arm and stood.


    “Then I’ll apany you.


    ”


    ‘s BunnyBookery


    “Mr.


    Mitchell, you really don’t need to be so cautious around me,”


    Merlin interjected, his voiceced with a mild smile.


    “In my current condition, I hardly think I pose a threat to Miss Moore.


    She is, after all, a capable adult.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Aren’t you perhaps watching over her a bit too closely?”


    Bryson’s grip on Hannah’s arm grew firmer, a clear sign of his irritation with Merlin’sments.


    Sensing the tension escal


    ating and fearing Bryson might lose his temper, Hannah swiftly intervened.


    She sped Bryson’s hand, turned sharply, and addressed Merlin with a frosty tone, “There’s nothing about me he shouldn’t hear.


    ”


    Once she had rified her stance, Merlin offered no resistance.


    “If that’s the case, I have no objections.


    Miss Moore, as long as you’re on board, the more the merrier to keep watch.


    ”


    With a subtle gesture, Merlin signaled his bodyguard, who then wheeled him toward the guesthouse.


    It was only after Merlin’s departure that Hannah feltfortable releasing Bryson’s hand.


    She turned to gauge his mood.


    Catching her nce, Bryson looked down at her and questioned, “Do you think I’m too meddling?”


    Hannah grasped his wrist and suggested, “Let’s head upstairs and check things out.


    ”


    Their exit seemed to lift the heaviness in the air.


    Lydia, who had refrained from eating until they left, murmured quietly, “I don’t recall Hannah ever mingling with the Garza family.


    How did she end up dealing with Merlin?”


    Curious, Maloney inquired, “Does she have some sort of feud with the Garza family?”


    “It’s a bitplicated to get into,” Lydia replied, nibbling on her chips.


    “ALL I can say is there’s a significant bad blood between them.


    ”


    Maloney stared in the direction they had gone, deep in thought.


    The staff directed Merlin, who arrived a bitte, to a room on the second floor.


    It appeared that almost everyone arriving this time was assigned to the second floor, except for Hannah, who was ced on the third floor.