He continued to curse under his breath as he struggled with the controls.


    Hannah and Bryson exchanged a look, a silent agreement passing between them.


    With a quiet determination, Hannah rose and took the lead, stepping forward.


    “Who are you?”


    Her voice was so soft, it bordered on a whisper, more a gentle probe than a confrontation.


    The man in the operating room was taken aback.


    He quickly turned around and demanded, “Who’s there?”


    Upon recognizing a woman, his tension eased.


    He scrutinized Hannah from head to toe and queried, “What brings you here at midnight? Were you invited to this ind as well?”


    Instead of responding, Hannah returned his scrutiny and remarked, “I didn’t notice you around the ind today.


    Were you invited? I find that hard to believe.


    You weren’t at the dinner party this evening.


    Though some were absent, I’m sure you weren’t one of them.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ”


    As the boat remained inoperative, the man reclined against it.


    “You’re full of questions.


    What does it matter if I was invited or not?”


    His guard lowered in the presence of what he perceived as a harmless woman.


    “Should I inform the owner about an intruder? Does this mean there’s a thief among us?”


    “Thief?”


    The manughed heartily.


    “You clearly don’t know who I am.


    This ind belongs to me.


    I don’t need anyone’s permission to be here.


    ”


    Hannah blinked in surprise and ventured, “Are you Atticus Pearson?”


    “That’s me,” Atticus confirmed briskly.


    “You should go now.


    I have other matters to attend to and can’t keep you.


    ”


    Hannah remained motionless.


    “You didn’t invite us to y a game with you tonight, did you?”


    Atticus’s expression faltered, his gaze flickering uncertainly.


    “Well.


    .


    Hannah cut to the chase.


    “I’m aware of the ind’s secrets.


    No need for lies to fool me.


    You’re here in the dead of night for the same reason I am.


    You want to escape using this ferry, right?”


    Her sharp deduction momentarily silenced Atticus.


    Evaluating him, Hannah continued, “You’re only free to move now because he doesn’t see you as a threat.


    After luring you to the ind, he concocted some story to strip you of any real power here.


    ”


    Atticus, caught off guard, stammered, “You.


    .


    ”


    “I used to think you were nothing but a dumb rich fe.


    It appears you do recognize danger.


    You’re not as foolish as I thought.


    ”


    “Hey! Watch your mouth!”


    Atticus’s expression grew stormy.


    “What do you mean by ‘foolish’?”


    Hannah responded icily, “If you were wise, why haven’t you uncovered the ind’s mysteries after years of running your father’s empire?”