No More Waiting, She Chooses Love
Chapter 744

I had no clue if Ernest would agree to my request or not because right then, the cops had me in cuffs and were carting me away. And it wasn't just a friendly escort; they actually detained me. I'm no lawyer, but I've watched enough legal dramas to know that, at worst, I should've just been a suspect, cooperating with an investigation, not getting thrown behind bars. So, this had Ernest's fingerprints all over it. He must've thought this was the safest way to protect me. He'd given me a heads-up after all, so I wasn't panicking, just sitting tight. Grant was the first one to drop by. He couldn't resist a jab, "Director Hudson, guess you'll be getting your paycheck from Uncle Sam this month, huh?" Thinking about my fancy title at the company and my recent no-shows, I couldn't help but feel guilty. "Mr. Smith, consider this my verbal resignation. I'll make it official once I'm out."

"I didn't come here to push you out, don't get it twisted," he clarified. I couldn't help but laugh, "I know. It's just... If I were in your shoes, I would've fired me a long time ago." Grant raised an eyebrow, "You think you're just anyone? Come on." And there it was, out in the open. The whole deal with Ernest and Phipps's real story, Grant had probably known way before I did. Yet, he played along.

So, I decided to play a little game of my own, "Royalty? You mean Ernest? That guy's probably ashes by now." Grant's mouth twitched, "Director Hudson, let's cut the act. We're all insiders here." "Act? What act?" I played dumb. Facing my feigned ignorance, Grant's expressions were a picture show. Finally, he leaned in, mouthing silently, "Ernest sent me. Told me to let you know you're fine. Just sit tight for a few days."

Of course, I knew I was stuck here for a bit. But man, was I bored. Last time I got hauled in was because of Haley's brother. Speaking of which, that troublemaker's been off the radar. Last I heard, Dustin had him on a tight leash. Guess he's Dustin's problem now. With Grant here, I wasn't about to let the opportunity for some fun slip. "How did Ernest get the message to you? Did he dream it to you, or can you talk to ghosts now?" Grant's lips twitched, "Okay, Felicia, I give up. I shouldn't have tried to pull one over on you. But what was I supposed to do? Ernest made me swear." Seeing Grant's helpless look, I kept at it, "What, Ernest made you promise not to spill about his secret identity?" Grant's discomfort was almost palpable, "You two made up, didn't you? Can we not do this?"

Right. After all the life-and-death drama with Ernest, what was there to fuss about? Now that Grant was here, it was my chance to catch up on the outside world. No time to waste, "How's Ernest doing?" "He's been discharged," Grant dropped the bombshell. "Discharged? His injuries were severe. I saw them myself; there's no way he's recovered that fast."

Grant pursed his lips, clearly holding back, "He's recuperating at home." Yeah, right. "Or is he off on some mission?" Grant shook his head, but it was obvious he was lying, "Grant, don't play me. Ernest had me locked up here to keep me out of the way, right?" His protection was just a front. The minute I was in, he was out. Something was off.

"I knew it, you can't fool me. I shouldn't have even bothered coming here, but Ernest insisted," Grant finally caved under my probing. "What's he up to? Spit it out," I pressed, losing patience. Grant bit his lip, then revealed, "Dustin and Allen are moving some people out. Ernest wanted to handle it personally." So that was the deal Ernest was talking about. Looks like he went through with it.