The Heart System

Chapter 535: Chapter 535

Man, this Brok guy was either stubborn as hell or just plain stupid. He really believed Mark would somehow come up with two million. There was no way. Mark was a wreck. The money I gave him before had disappeared into his gambling habit in no time.

Unless that wasn’t the point.

I leaned back in my chair and exhaled slowly, staring at nothing in particular. Maybe Brok wasn’t expecting Mark to pay at all. Maybe he was aiming for Eleanor instead. That thought made my jaw tighten. The bastard probably thought he could drag her into this and use the debt as leverage. Like real life worked the same way as some cheap fantasy. It didn’t. And if that was really his angle, he was going to regret it.

“You look like the shit I took days ago,” Tessa said from the couch, glancing at me. “What’s up, stud?”

I stubbed out my cigarette in the ashtray and leaned back, resting one hand on the table. “Nothing good.”

“Great answer,” she said with a short laugh before going back to her phone. “Missing Nala already?”

“You don’t?” I asked.

She shrugged without looking up. “I don’t know. I’m just glad I still have a job.”

“Fair enough.”

Jasmine, curled up on the other couch, was painting her nails with careful strokes. She had one leg tucked under her and the other stretched out, resting her chin on her knee while she worked. “This job pays way too well to complain,” she added. “Like, actually insane.”

“You guys see Nala today?” I asked.

Kim, sitting next to Tessa, shook her head. “No. She was in her office, but we didn’t go in. I wanted to, but these two shut me down.”

Tessa scoffed quietly, still scrolling. “For good reason.”

I pushed my chair back and stood up, stretching my arms before heading to the fridge. I grabbed a carton of orange juice, poured myself a glass, and took a long sip before heading back to the table.

Right then, Minne walked in from the hallway. Her hair was still damp from a shower, strands clinging slightly to her neck and shoulders. She moved quietly into the kitchen and started loading dishes into the machine, careful and focused.

Tessa spoke up without even turning her head. “What about you, Maid? You miss Nala?”

Minne hesitated for a second, placing a plate carefully into the rack before answering. “A little. Mrs. Nolin is… a good person.”

I didn’t respond right away. I just took another sip of my drink and let the silence sit for a moment. Yeah, she was. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was what she was willing to do now. The thought of her actually going through with that plan made my stomach twist.

I drained the rest of the glass, set it down, and walked into the living room. I dropped onto the couch next to Jasmine. She glanced up at me, smiling faintly, then shifted and rested her head on my lap. One of her legs stretched out along the armrest, her freshly painted toes catching the light.

“It’s kinda quiet without her,” she said, looking up at me. “No late-night squads. No random energy bursts.”

“Yeah,” I said, letting out a small breath. “Too quiet.”

“Hey, Jas,” Tessa chimed in with a grin. “Want me to get you a banana?”

Jasmine didn’t even look at her. “Say one more word and I’m throwing you out the window.”

“What? I’m just offering help.”

“What happened?” Kim asked, leaning forward. “I feel like I’m missing something.”

Tessa got up, moved over to Kim, and leaned in to whisper. Whatever she said, Kim’s reaction was immediate. Her eyes widened, then she burst out laughing.

“A banana? No way,” Kim said between laughs, slapping her thigh. “I wish I saw that.”

“Can you all shut up?” Jasmine groaned, covering her face.

“I’m just saying,” Kim added, still smiling. “Efficient.”

Minne let out a small, quiet laugh from the kitchen, trying not to draw attention.

I smiled faintly at the noise, then leaned my head back and looked toward the window. It was clear outside. No rain, no snow. The air looked calm, almost warm for this time of year. New Year’s was getting close.

And somehow, everything felt off. I didn’t want to go into a new year like this. Not with things left like this with Nala. I needed to find Jack Kuinn.

Right as that thought settled in, my phone started ringing. I reached into my pocket and saw Carrie’s name on the screen.

Finally.

I gently lifted Jasmine’s head and shifted it onto the couch before standing up.

“What happened?” she asked, blinking up at me.

“Carrie,” I said, already answering the call. “She might have something on Jack.”

“Oh shit,” Tessa said, sitting up a little. “Carrie’s back?”

I put the phone to my ear and leaned against the armrest. “Hey, Carrie.”

“Evan,” she replied. “I found Jack Kuinn. I set up a meeting for tomorrow evening. Same restaurant as before.”

That got my full attention. “Good. Really good. Thanks.”

“I don’t have the exact time yet,” she continued. “I’ll text you tomorrow when it’s confirmed.”

“Alright,” I said. “I’ll be ready.”

This was it. Finally, something was moving forward.

I hung up, and the second I did, my phone buzzed again. This time it was a text from an unknown number. I frowned and tapped it open. There was a fifteen-minute video attached.

I waited for it to download. As soon as it finished and I opened it, a woman’s scream filled the living room.

I froze.

It was the video Carrie had taken of Luna. The angle, the sound… everything. I shut it immediately and let out a breath, trying to act normal. Jasmine, Kim, and Tessa were all looking at me now. Even Minne had paused in the kitchen.

Tessa clapped once and leaned back with a grin. “Wow. Watching porn now?”

“What? No,” I shot back quickly. “I just clicked a… you know, random link. Melvin sent it.”

Kim tilted her head. “Melvin? The ’hopeless romantic’ one?”

“Yeah,” I said, nodding. “That guy.”

Jasmine shook her head with a small smile. “Poor dude. I saw Iseballa. He has no chance.”

Tessa let out a short laugh. “Not even a little.”

That seemed to settle it. No one pushed further.