Heartstrings on Fire novel Chapter 1188

Agnes spoke up, her voice firm yet tired, "Let's get rid of all the help—the maids, the cooks, all of them. They probably don't know anything useful. As for Herbert, Godfather, take him with you. He's been right by Kearney's side all these years and likely knows all the dirty secrets. You've been wanting to clean up the mess at Albert’s Arms, right? He could be of great use there."

Her gaze then shifted towards Bain, who stood there, head bowed, shaking slightly as if overwhelmed by a blend of fear and innocence. "Please, sir, Miss Septima, spare me. Mr. Kearney... he's got my granddaughter. I had no choice but to do as he said."

"Bain," Agnes's disappointment was palpable, "you've been with my godfather for years. You had a choice, yet you chose to betray us, to betray the trust everyone placed in you."

Reggie, standing beside them, his expression a rare mix of sorrow and disbelief, muttered, "Even you, Bain..."

"Sir, I truly had no other way. Please, forgive me this once," Bain pleaded, now on his knees before Reggie.

Turning away, Reggie took a moment before responding, "Leave. Get out of here, and out of Albert’s Arms. And never let me see you again."

Bain, relief and gratitude flooding his voice, kept bowing deeply, "Thank you, sir, for your mercy. Thank you."

Elton couldn’t hide his disbelief, "Godfather, are we really letting him off just like that?"

Reggie remained silent.

Fearing Reggie might change his mind after Elton's remark, Bain hurriedly made his exit from the villa.

Elton made to follow, but Naylor held him back, "Elt, you don't understand. Bain's been with us the longest. He looked after us when we were kids. Let him go."

Naylor's tone carried a weight of unspoken sadness.

Exiting the villa, Bain was seen boarding a yacht, sailing away from the turmoil he left behind.

Reggie, along with Elton and Naylor, departed shortly after, leaving behind a team to secure the island on Agnes’s orders.

Their first priority was to locate Jarvis, missing in the forest for over ten hours now. Agnes was worried but hopeful as she divided the search teams, half to scour the island's backend and the rest to guard the villa, effectively trapping Kearney on the island.

Kearney, having learned the truth, seemed like a changed man, sitting silently, the letter still in his hands, lost in thought.

Phenix, mistaking Kearney for her beloved Sean, stayed by his side, her eyes filled with compassion. Despite not fully grasping the situation, Phenix held Kearney’s hand, her voice soft, reassuring, "Sean, no matter what happens, I'm here. No one can tear us apart. I'll never leave you."

Her words seemed to anchor Kearney back to reality, his embrace tightening around Phenix as he buried his face in her neck, shoulders shaking as he began to cry.