The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 493

Knowing she was spiraling into toxic guilt, Franco quickly broke through her thoughts. "So grandmother's death had absolutely nothing to do with you or The Lane Family. I swear to you, I will hunt Nanette down. But before that, can I ask you a question?"

"What?" Petty asked, looking up at him through wet lashes.

Franco sat smoothly on the edge of her bed, his presence commanding yet restrained. "Why did you drive to the shipping pier that day?"

That day...

Petty knew Franco was investigating the cartel attack. Their broken relationship was one thing, but Abbot's syndicate was a massive threat that affected The White Family, The Lane Family, and countless innocent people.

She forced herself to comb through her fragmented memories. The attack had only happened a few days ago, but the trauma made it feel like a lifetime.

"After I had dinner with Nash, I originally planned to come find you... I mean, I wanted to find Malcom. I had finally realized that the characters in his name combined to form the word 'Petty.'"

Franco's gaze turned dark and intense. His Adam's apple bobbed as he let out a low, rough hum of acknowledgment.

"I started driving toward Malcom's house," Petty continued, rubbing her forehead. "But the next thing I knew, I was at the pier. I have no idea when or why I changed my route. I know it sounds crazy, and you probably won't believe me."

"I believe you," Franco said instantly. He paused, his voice steady. "I completely believe you."

Petty yanked her hands free from his grasp, entirely unfazed by his reassurance.

Franco's hands curled into loose fists as he felt the empty space where her skin had been. "I pulled your phone records. While you were driving after dinner, Nash called you. What did he say?"

Petty blinked in surprise.

She pursed her lips, thinking back. "Yes, Nash called me. During dinner, I told him I wanted to become a freelance journalist. He called to tell me to think it over carefully and to contact him once I made a final decision."

The words 'freelance journalist' made Franco's jaw tighten.

She still wanted to run off to war zones.

He lowered his head and exhaled heavily. "Did he say anything else?"

Petty shook her head. "No."

She frowned at him. "Do you suspect Nash?"

Franco avoided a direct answer. "Abbot's mercenaries successfully hijacked Laura's prison transport because someone deliberately lured you to the pier as a distraction. I interrogated Laura. She only contacted Abbot; she had no idea about the setup on your end. The person who manipulated you into driving to that pier is absolutely someone in your inner circle. Everyone except me is a suspect."

"You don't need to suspect Hans," Petty fired back instantly.

The sharp crack of knuckles echoed in the quiet room. Petty glanced over at Franco, who was staring blankly at the wall.

His face was totally impassive. "I never said I suspected him."

Another heavy silence suffocated the room.

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