“Why do I get the feeling that something’s weird about Tom? Is something wrong with him?”
Ever since she ran into the thugs, Bonnie had kept her guard up around everyone.
“I think he’s fine.” Ivor led her into the tunnel and analyzed, “I started following up on this collaboration a few years back. I chose to invest in him because he’s sincere and willing to do anything to make it happen. That’s also why I agreed to inspect the quarry myself.
“It’s like he said, Everpeak might have rich mineral resources, but there aren’t many big investors looking here. Some investors wanted to collaborate with them, but turned away because of the harsh environment.
“Anyway, Tom is basically digging his own grave if he tried anything.”
She nodded. “That explains why you trust him so much.”
“Yeah.” He chuckled. “Do you think I do my collaborations based on blind faith?”
Then, he pinched her fingers gently, savoring her presence. “Furthermore, you’re here with me. There’s no way I’d put you at risk.”
She couldn’t help but smile at that. That didn’t mean she spoke sweetly to him, though. “There you go with your smart mouth again.”
He wore a helpless expression, but he continued to hold her hands tightly.
“How many times do I have to say it before you believe me, Bonnie? I mean what I said. They’re not flattery.”
She shrugged. “I’m not the one you should be posing this question to. After all, that’s up to you.”
“What do you mean?” He looked confused. He had no idea what she was talking about.
Glancing at him, she said sarcastically, “Speak less corny lines, and I’ll believe that it comes from the bottom of your heart.”
“Sigh…” He said helplessly, “I’m afraid I won’t be able to do it for the rest of my life. I’m saying these things to you out of pure instinct because I love you. Are you going to ask me to go against my instincts?” She rolled her eyes at him.
“I think you’re beyond help.”
He nodded in approval. “Yeah. Nothing could cure my love for you.”
‘Forget it. I’ll just keep quiet. Otherwise, he’s going to get more kick out of it.’
Floyd and Jim were about to get the tool at Tom’s storehouse. They were about to go inside when Tom
feigned a stomachache by clutching his belly and howling out of pain.
“Ow. Ouch. My belly. It hurts!”
Floyd walked over and asked, concerned, “Are you alright? Should we send you to a clinic?”
Tom looked like he was wracked with pain. Even his forehead was covered in sweat.
“T-There’s no need for that. I just
have
and
I look
for the tool. It’s a sheet
I’ll be back in a jiffy.” S
box.
Just as he was about to get away, Jim called out to him abruptly.
“Hold it right there.”
Tom stopped in his tracks. Still clutching his belly, he feigned a tortured face and pretended to have just come back to his senses.
“I-I can’t hold it in anymore. Just wait
till I
havback. For now, I’m going t
for
e silver box.”?
ask the two of you to
Tom bolted out of there.
Jim watched as he left, contemplating the situation.
