Chapter 224

Royce chuckled softly. "Don't sweat it, I'll be back. No way I'd miss out on this. Plus, some folks might try to pull a fast one if I'm not around."

"I'm on a business trip right now. Need anything?"

His voice, a bit raspy and crackling with static, had this oddly charming vibe.

"Nah, just come back soon."

I felt my face heat up and quickly replied.

"Got it. Hang tight."

He hung up, and I pressed my hands to my cheeks, trying to cool down.

Royce hadn't said anything inappropriate, so why was my face so hot?

I shook my head, convinced I was overthinking it.

Just then, Kathy burst into my room, looking at me in surprise. "Caroline, your face is so red! What's up?"

"Are you lovesick again?"

"Let me guess, Royce just called you."

I shot her a glare, embarrassed. "Can you knock next time before you barge in? I need my privacy, you know."

At that moment, Savannah walked in, pausing at the door when she heard my comment. She tentatively knocked on the doorframe.

"Caroline, can I come in?"

Kathy laughed loudly. "Come on in, Caroline's just embarrassed because I spilled her little secret."

"What secret?"

Savannah's eyes lit up as she looked between us.

Ever since Savannah met Kathy, her previously reserved demeanor had gradually faded, replaced by this more gossipy version.

I sighed and glared at her. Kathy said, "Mr. Castillo just called her. That's why her face is so red."

"Really?"

Savannah looked at me with curiosity. I couldn't help but throw a pillow at them. "Do you have anything important to say? If not, get out."

Savannah pulled Kathy towards the door but suddenly stopped. "Wait, I do have something important."

She turned back to me, her expression serious. "Caroline, Earl is in Suncrest City."

Her words shocked me.

I looked up at Savannah. "Really? Why is he here? Did you tell Simon and the others?"

Thankfully, Savannah was always reliable. She nodded.

"I've already informed Simon. Earl seems to have let his guard down since he realized the police aren't after him. He hasn't tried to run."

"Of course, he doesn't know that we're using his identity to catch the people behind him."

"So Simon has had someone tailing him, but no one has made a move yet."

"I ran into him at the market with Holly. He was with a heavyset guy, and they both went into a hotel."

"A heavyset guy? Did you take a picture?"

Savannah nodded and showed me a photo on her phone.

One look at the photo, and my eyes widened. I recognized the heavyset guy.

Seeing my reaction, Savannah understood immediately. "Caroline, you know this guy?"

I nodded vigorously. "Of course, I know him. He was a high school classmate and an old neighbor."

"After his dad was arrested for bribery, his family went bankrupt. But they had already moved their assets abroad."

"The last I heard, he got arrested overseas for sexual assault and was supposed to serve a few years. How the hell is he out now and back in Suncrest City?"

Savannah frowned. "The key point is that he's with Earl. They must be up to something."

"And both of them are connected to you. We need to be cautious."

I nodded. "You're right. We have to be careful."

"In high school, he pursued me. When I refused, he and some thugs cornered me in an alley near my house."

If Royce hadn't shown up and scared them off, who knows what could have happened.

My dad was furious when he found out and confronted his dad.

His dad, afraid of my dad's influence, pretended to scold him to appease my dad.

But after that, he held a grudge against me, causing small troubles like putting bugs in my desk or spilling water on my books.

I stopped caring after a while since we were close to graduation, and it seemed pointless to make a fuss.

After graduation, his family fell apart.

"Caroline, give me his name. I'll have Simon look into him."

"Okay, his name is Lowell Warren."

Savannah noted the name and left.

I lay on my bed, deep in thought. Why had Lowell suddenly returned, and why now?

I suddenly remembered the bidding event we had just discussed.

It seemed like there might be a connection between the two events, but the details were too tangled for me to figure out.

I hadn't forgotten that Alfonso and Brandon used to be on good terms until Brandon's bankruptcy caused a rift.

But in the world of business, there are no permanent enemies. It's possible they could collaborate again for mutual benefit.

I just couldn't see what common interest they might have.

I pondered over it repeatedly but couldn't make sense of it.

Just then, Carl called to tell me the highway project had been approved and they were preparing to open it for bids. He asked if I would attend the bidding event in two weeks.

I thought for a moment and nodded.

"I'll go, but don't announce my attendance. I plan to go incognito."

Carl quickly understood my intention.

Unexpectedly, Alfonso called me, asking to meet.

I was incredulous. "You? Why do you want to meet?"

"I know Ms. Sharp is a shareholder in Suncrest City Building Materials Company, so I'd like to discuss our advantages with you."

I didn't hesitate to refuse. "I don't think that's necessary. You were friends with Brandon, and now that I'm divorced from him, it would be awkward."

"Besides, it's the bidding period. It wouldn't look good if we were seen together. Let's not meet."

"I just want to discuss some personal matters with Ms. Sharp. In business, there are no permanent enemies. Brandon and I have fallen out, and whatever happens between us is separate from my dealings with you."