He took me to the dining hall, which was laid out with an array of dishes, reminiscent of a hotel brunch buffet.
I hurried over to pick out my favorites, grabbing a few to take back to our table. As I sat down, I turned to Ronan, "Ronan, I actually had something to tell you yesterday, but I completely forgot about it with all the fuss over the kid."
He settled opposite me with his plate, urging with a gentle tone, "Go ahead."
I started to talk between bites, recounting to Ronan the encounter with Jesper and Mason, the grandson of the Wood Manor family in Silverdale City.
Ronan's brow furrowed as soon as I mentioned Mason, "Are you sure it was him?"
"Positive. But Hannah did some digging, and the bar's license lists an Adkins as the owner, with an address in a small northern town." I recounted everything without leaving out a detail.
"That confirms they’ve got insiders in the authorities," he said, his expression hardening with a hint of menace.
I stared, a little stunned. I had never seen this side of him before, and it must be Bennett's persona coming through.
He seemed to notice my gaze and softened, offering me a reassuring smile.
But then, he quickly called Logan, asking him to join us in the dining hall. Logan was apparently still around.
Logan showed up in no time, teasing me, "Allie, how's it feel to be back home? You were sleeping so soundly, starting to sleep in?"
I could feel my cheeks burning up. I quickly turned to Ronan and blurted out, "Ronan, this place is really great. If you're willing to let go of it, I might just sweep it off your hands."
Ronan gave me a look that was hard to read, dodging my point, "As long as you're happy."
"It's really peaceful here, and close to downtown too. I've been looking for a place like this for ages. Hannah and I searched everywhere but couldn't find a spot quite like this." Deep down, I knew this wasn't a property just anyone could get.
I was just trying to ease the awkwardness with my comment.
But truth be told, I really did want this place, even if it meant shamelessly squatting here until I got it.
Logan chuckled, "Well, it's not something money can solve. This place will never hit the market. The security is top-notch, so Ronan would be interested. With his connections, you're set for life."
I looked squarely at Ronan, adopting the cheeky tone I used back in our school days, "Ronan, after all these years, I'm finally basking in your glory. You gotta stick to your word because I'm starting to plan my move."
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