Chapter 565

Kayce arrived swiftly on the third-floor deck, his footsteps echoing against the wooden planks. "Mr.Ward,you called for me?" His posture straightened as he stood respectfully, head tilted downward in deference.

Silence stretched between them before Brixton finally spoke, his voice carrying an unsettling calm."When you went to purchase supplies today, did anything unusual happen along the way?"

Cold dread washed over Kayce. As expected, Brixton got suspicious.

Maintaining his composed facade, Kayce pretended to search his memory carefully before responding with measured hesitation, "Nothing major. Everything went pretty smoothly."He paused and added, as if suddenly remembering something, "Oh, right, there was a minor issue."

"Go on." Brixton's stare cut through him like steel.

"It was just that when we were buying groceries in town, which was bustling with people, I got separated from Hannah for a little while." Kayce's voice remained monotone, as if recounting the most mundane details. "Panic shot through me, thinking she might be trying to escape, so l quickly went back to look for her."

Pausing, he added, "However, I didn't have to search far before I spotted her returning on her own. She was carrying a bag of beef. She explained that the beef on the outside stalls didn't look fresh, and the best cuts were tucked away in the deeper corners, so she'd spent considerable time hunting for quality meat."

Kayce let bewilderment creep across his features. "I assumed she was being overly meticulous. Once stored on the ship, the beef will lose its freshness in a few days anyway. It really didn't seem worthspending so much effort finding the perfect cut.I assumed she was trying to escape, so my words came out harsher than intended. I'm not sure if I ended up scaring her."

His fabricated explanation attributed Hannah's brief disappearance to her search for fresher beef,seamlessly concealing the truth.

Just as Kayce had hoped, Brixton's attention shifted.Brixton asked, "She was really that selective about the beef?"

"Absolutely." Kayce nodded, allowing puzzlement to color his voice. "It struck me as odd. She seemed utterly committed to finding the finest quality."

Brixton fell into contemplative silence. Something utterly foreign and peculiar began stirring within him,quiet and insidious. Never before had anyone taken his offhand remarks to heart with such genuine earnestness. This sensation felt so alien that he found himself momentarily paralyzed, unsure how to respond.Brixton waved his hand dismissively, his tone softening slightly. "Very well, I understand the situation. You can go now."

"Yes, Mr. Ward." Kayce bowed with respect. Only when he'd descended the stairs could he finally release the breath he'd been holding, his shirt clinging to his sweat-soaked back.

As Kayce reached the first basement floor, he encountered Hannah, who was heading upstairs to rest. "Did you whip up the beef pasta?" he inquired.

Exhaustion was etched clearly across Hannah's features. "I didn't. I'm completely drained today.I'll prepare it tomorrow instead. Given all the chaos tonight, I doubt Brixton will have much of an appetite anyway."

Kayce's expression darkened instantly as he spoke with urgent intensity, his voice low. "Absolutely not!You need to prepare it right now and bring it to him immediately!"

Hannah stared at him in confusion."Why?""He's suspicious of you! He just summoned me upstairs and questioned whether anything unusual happened during our shopping trip today." Kayce's words tumbled out rapidly. "You don't fully understand Brixton's nature. Once he starts asking questions, you can never claim nothing happened, or it will only fuel his suspicions further."

Kayce continued, "So, following our backup plan,1told him I thought you were attempting to escape,but in reality, you had wandered off to find fresher beef. You absolutely must make the beef pasta now and bring it to him to support this story. If he asks,just tell him it's because you assumed he'd want to try it."

Understanding crashed over Hannah like a wave, her chest tightening as she nodded frantically. "I understand! How's Alfredo doing?"

"Much better after the medicine. He's resting peacefully. Don't worry about him right now. Start cooking!" Kayce urged, already moving toward the stove. "I'll help you."Hannah lifted the tray and climbed back up to the third-floor deck. When she knocked and entered Brixton's cabin, she found him standing by the window, staring pensively at the moonlit sea.

"This late in the evening. You actually made the beef pasta?" Brixton turned around, his gaze settling on the tray with what seemed like genuine surprise.

Hannah set the tray carefully on the table, managing a tentative smile as she repeated Kayce's coached response. "Yes, the beef is exceptionally fresh.It took considerable effort to locate the finest cut, and if left until morning, it won't taste nearly as good. The flavor would definitely deteriorate."

Brixton narrowed his gaze. Her explanation mirrored Kayce's account almost word for word. He offered no response, simply moving to the table and settling into his chair.

Hannah felt a wave of relief wash through her as shewhispered, "Please enjoy your meal. I'll return to my quarters now."

She was desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the room.

Just as she reached the door and turned the handle,Brixton's voice stopped her cold. "Hold on a moment."