Dexter''s wound had been bandaged, and he walked over to where I stood, gazing into space.


    "Phoebe, let''s go home."


    Jolted back to reality, I shook my head. "You go back by yourself."


    The murder case was getting more convoluted by the minute.


    And Colin - God knows what state he''s in, at the mercy of Damian. Being in that mental institution...


    it''s no ce for anyone.


    "Only I can protect you." Dexter frowned, gripping my wrist. "Don''t be stubborn."


    "I don''t want to go back with you right now." I wrenched my hand away from his.


    Going back meant facing Melody, and just the thought of her made my blood boil. I had to figure out


    a way to attend the charity g tomorrow. eded to meet the president of the All-Stars


    Consortium.


    "Did you ask Melody about the president of the All-Stars Consortium?" Dexter threatened, seeing


    my defiance.


    I knew it.


    I looked up at him, a sardonic smile ying on my lips. "Oh, trust Melody to be the queen of


    gossip."


    "You know your chances are better if I introduce you," Dexter said with a grave tone.


    The mention of the All-Stars Consortium president cast a shadow over him. He was jealous, and he


    harbored resentment towards the man who had always refused to meet him, not even giving him


    the courtesy of acknowledgment.


    Yet, ironically, he had once been obliged to help him.


    Dexter felt slighted.


    "And why would you be so generous?" I scoffed.


    "Come home, stay by my side, and I''ll make the introduction," he insisted.


    With a frown, I knew I had topromise.


    "Foebe," Robin called out, approaching with his phone in hand. "That guy Carl dropped the charges.


    He admitted to provoking Colin. The cop handling the case is a buddy of mine. I spoke to him, and


    he agreed to issue a letter of forgiveness and bring Colin home."


    A wave of relief washed over me. "Really?"


    Robin nodded. "Yeah."


    Excited, I grabbed his arm. "Let''s go get him then!"


    Dexter watched me, his gazeplex, and let out a cynical chuckle.


    Robin shook his head. "It''s not that simple. There''s a process. Don''t rush it. I''ll push things along on


    my end."


    I nodded. Even if Colin got out, I still needed to meet the All-Stars Consortium president. He was


    the only one who could ensure safety for Colin and me. Coborating with this enigmatic tycoon


    could secure Colin''s footing in the Langley family.


    ...


    Dexter and I went home. His driver took us back, and we sat in silence in the backseat.


    He nced at me several times, as if holding back words.


    "Phoebe, you should finish reading your parents'' journals."


    I stayed quiet, already nning to do so.


    "Tomorrow''s charity g... Caleb''s been invited, but with him in the psychiatric ward, and you as his


    date, you can''t attend without him," Dexter remarked.


    Suspicious, I watched him, wondering what kind of threat he was cooking up now.


    "I''m also on the guest list. You could attend as my date," he offered, extending an olive branch.


    I snorted, looking at Melody waiting in the yard, her anxiety and concern palpable. "And if I''m your


    date, what about Melody?"


    Dexter frowned and stayed silent.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    As soon as the car stopped, Melody rushed over, tears brimming in her eyes. "Dexter, I heard you


    were hurt, what happened...?"


    "It''s nothing." Dexter kept his distance from Melody.


    "Dexter... about the g tomorrow, you promised I could go with you. The dress has arrived, should


    we give it a try?" Melody hurriedly said, fearing he might change his mind.


    Clearly, Dexter had made promises to Melody before. He had mademitments to her, yet here


    he was, offering me that same olive branch. What a sleaze.


    I huffed and turned to leave.


    "Phoebe..." Dexter caught my wrist, facing Melody. "Sorry, but I have to take Phoebe with me."